Where I Start With a New Hitter

When I begin working with a new hitter, the first thing I want to understand is the person. Their background, what they have been taught, how they think, how they learn, and what they value. You can learn a lot about a hitter by asking the right questions and listening. Before I touch a mechanical change or recommend a drill, I want to understand who they are and how they see their own development.

If I had unlimited data, I would begin with batted ball information. The ball tells the truth. Contact quality, spray tendencies, groundball, and line drive profiles reveal what is happening upstream in the swing. From there, biomechanics helps visualize and communicate what we are trying to adjust and creates buy-in. Even with all the data in the world, the most important piece is deciding what matters for this player in this moment.

Once I know the person and the profile, we build a plan together. Something simple, clear, and aligned with their goals. The best development is individualized and collaborative. You are not forcing a model. You are shaping a pattern that fits the player.