Hitting Coaches

[AerchAngel]

Sheffield had one of the fastest bats I've ever seen. You can't teach that. He had very good pitch recognition and could get on top of above average fastballs, even those up in the zone. Andruw Jones was the same way early in his career. I think the difference is that Andruw seemed to start his swing a little earlier and could thus be fooled by off-speed stuff. Sheffield's swing was so compact and quick that he seemed to be able to wait on just about everything.

see Bob Horner



too bad he had fragile wrists. He would have been a great one.

[Julio3000]

I'm all for it.

—Latrell Sprewell

[CrimsonCowboy]

Consider this:

I know it's only 30 games, so it's a small sample size by comparison. But in 30 games with the Twins, Jordan Schafer is hitting .312 with a .385 OBP and, if you're into that sort of thing, an OPS of .772. Wonder what the Twins coaches have found that the Braves could not (if Schafer continues to hit well in Minnesota).

[57Brave]

change of scenery. new league - Nate McClouth syndrome

Hope it sticks and he stays productive but that isn't the history

[rico43]

see Bob Horner



too bad he had fragile wrists. He would have been a great one.

Brett Butler nicknamed Horner "The Glass Man"

[rico43]

Consider this:

I know it's only 30 games, so it's a small sample size by comparison. But in 30 games with the Twins, Jordan Schafer is hitting .312 with a .385 OBP and, if you're into that sort of thing, an OPS of .772. Wonder what the Twins coaches have found that the Braves could not (if Schafer continues to hit well in Minnesota).

Playing time! He got plenty of it last year when he wasn't injured.

[Dalyn]

Shouldn't they be called Not Hitting Coaches?

[AerchAngel]

Brett Butler nicknamed Horner "The Glass Man"

At least he wasn't a China Doll aka JD Drew. He actually tried to play through his injuries.

But man, he was a treat to see.

[KB21]

True. Just like some of the smartest people in the world aren't the best teachers. It is often difficult for them to realize that the people they are teaching don't have the same level of talent as they did.

Plus, Chipper's got enough money to never have to lift a finger again as long as he lives. Why would he want to subject himself to a grueling life where he's away from home for the better part of the year.

Edit: I missed zito's post before I started writing. We both have the same idea.

Edit 2: I really think hitting coaches are overrated. Anyone here remember Rudy Jaramillo? He was the hitting equivalent to Leo Mazzone at one point and is now out of baseball. Some guys have good ideas and are good teachers, but no coach can wave a magic wand and make impatient hitters patient.

This.

Coaches, by and large, get entirely too much credit for success and entirely too much blame for failures when they have very little control over either in the long run. I'm not saying we don't need a change, but there isn't a hitting coach out there that can take BJ Upton and make him a great hitter at this point.