How to be a smart and aggressive hitter

Ever since the book, “Moneyball,” there’s been a lot of debate about whether it’s better to have hitters take a lot of pitches or whether they’re better off swinging at the beginning of the count. This is one of those debates for which there is no definitive solution, but a middle ground can probably be found.

Of course, youth baseball is different from the game played by college and professional players. In youth baseball, I think it’s best for hitters to wait and be ready to swing from the first pitch. At the lower levels of baseball, getting a good pitch to hit can be infrequent, so hitters must be ready to hit at all times. Having the “yes (my pitch when the ball leaves the pitcher’s hand), yes (when the ball is halfway home), yes (swing)” or “yes, yes, no (no swing)” is the better approach. to teach children.

Having said that, there are a few approaches that I think can help all hitters at all levels be smart, aggressive hitters. Most people think of aggressive hitters as those who swing at the first pitch that looks good. That’s an aggressive approach, of course, but not necessarily a smart approach. Good hitters combine the two of being aggressive and, at the same time, smart. They do this by being ready to swing at pitches they’re sure they can handle and get the sweet spot of the bat on the ball, without swinging at any strike or ball that looks good.

Of course, some of the points written below are for advanced players, but they are all strategies that coaches can begin to teach at all levels of baseball.

To be smart and aggressive, hitters must:

1. Pay more attention to pitchers when they’re on the bench, and especially in the on-deck circle, so hitters are “in tune” with the pitcher’s speed and tendencies.

2. Know if the pitcher is considered a strikeout pitcher: Hitters need to be more aggressive early in the count when facing a strikeout pitcher.

3. Be more aggressive with guys in scoring position, especially with a runner on third and less than two out.

4. “Know Thyself” – Good hitters need to understand which pitches they hit best and which ones they have trouble with. At the beginning of the count, batters should only swing at pitches that are in the zone they hit best.

5. Learn to visualize: Hitters who can visualize swinging well on pitches, hitting the ball hard, and pitching without a strike are valuable for being smart, aggressive hitters.

6. Learn to slow down your two-strike swing a bit and be willing to take a walk, especially when the game situation dictates that a long ball isn’t necessary.

7. Be aware of how the pitcher is pitching to other hitters in the lineup. For example, knowing if there is a common first pitch, the strikeout pitch? Etc… it is very valuable to be smart and aggressive.

8. “Be yourself”: All hitters have their own “hitting personality” in which they are usually aggressive or more patient. It’s important for hitters to stay with their own personality most of the time. Trying to adopt a different personality can lead to prolonged falls. Of course, individual “hitting personality” should not be extreme, as it inhibits good hitting chances by allowing the pitcher to exploit the hitter’s approach.

9. Practice pitches you struggle with as much as possible: Minimizing weaknesses can help immensely. Simply being able to foul on tough pitches can keep the at-bat alive and lead to hits.

10. Having a short memory where they can treat each at-bat separately from the ones before it, especially when they’re on a hitting slump. Being very hesitant when fighting is a common thing for hitters, which inhibits them from staying aggressive.

11. Staying hungry and never satisfied, no matter how well you hit. Success often leads to complacency, which is often followed by a prolonged drop in hitting.

Finally, having an aggressive approach is good for a while, but having an aggressive and smart approach leads to long-term success.