Is Jeff Manto this dumb

[Balta1701]

In other words they aren't being nearly as aggressive as people want to think. They are caught in between ala Nick Swisher.

For 5 years.

[macsandz]

The White Sox are not a good situational hitting team and they have a low BABIP because they swing at any pitch that is close to being a strike and then get themselves out. This is the mantra that I heard from Jeff Manto this morning.

 

This appears to be their philosophy and the Twins pitch to this and admit that they simply let he White Sox get themselves out.

 

What is changing?

 

Am I to now believe they will change this theory based on the pitcher?

 

I am not getting a good feeling about this the more I hear.

 

The approach is simple: Be ready to hit. This doesn't mean you don't take a pitch.

That is any good hitter's approach - The good one's can track a pitch and adjust, the bad one's can't. It's having a plan based on situation.

[joeynach]

Ergo...the Sox don't strike out much...but they don't put the ball in play strongly. Almost as if they're being too aggressive on pitches out of the zone.

 

I know for a fact Gordon Beckham is and thats been part of his demise since the 09 season. If you look at Fangraphs for Beckham and look at this plate discipline category you can see evidence of this White Sox (or Beckham's) hitting philosophy. Beckham had an O-swing % of 24.7 in 2009, that stat measures the percentage at which he swings at a pitch outside of the strike zone. That number climbed to 32.1% in 2010, and an awful 36.9% in 2011. This can also be seen just watching him play as most of us have seen him swing at pitches outside of the zone a lot more frequent, and his BA and BABIP has suffered b/c of this. Our hitting coach needs to approach Beckham with selective aggression and plate discipline, not be ready to hit in all situations philosophy, that will just re-enforce bad habits. If Manto cant use simple stats such as O-swing to help Beckham make an adjustment then hes garbage and I stand by the title of the thread I started.

Edited November 7, 2011 by joeynach

[macsandz]

I know for a fact Gordon Beckham is and thats been part of his demise since the 09 season. If you look at Fangraphs for Beckham and look at this plate discipline category you can see evidence of this White Sox (or Beckham's) hitting philosophy. Beckham had an O-swing % of 24.7 in 2009, that stat measures the percentage at which he swings at a pitch outside of the strike zone. That number climbed to 32.1% in 2010, and an awful 36.9% in 2011. This can also be seen just watching him play as most of us have seen him swing at pitches outside of the zone a lot more frequent, and his BA and BABIP has suffered b/c of this. Our hitting coach needs to approach Beckham with selective aggression and plate discipline, not be ready to hit in all situations philosophy, that will just re-enforce bad habits. If Manto cant use simple stats such as O-swing to help Beckham make an adjustment then hes garbage and I stand by the title of the thread I started.

 

Heard Manto on the radio regarding Gordon as saying he's "not a mechanical hitter. I'm gonna tell him to let it fly..." The single worst approach Beckham can take is to become MORE aggressive:

 

--

FANGRAPHS

 

Since his breakout 2009, virtually nothing has gone right for Beckham. Pretty much all of his rate stats have gone in the wrong direction since his rookie year. His walk rate has dropped, his strikeout rate has risen and his slash line has dropped every season. For a guy who was supposed to be prepared for the big leagues, Beckham has really regressed.

 

In some of his scouting reports, Beckham was recognized for having above average pitch recognition. Oddly enough, he still seems to have retained that skill despite his decline. Looking at his pitch type values, Beckham struggled against the curve ball last season, but was able to hold his own against other pitches. He was particularly strong against fastballs and sliders. Beckham was even able to improve against change-ups, signaling the first time in his career that he posted a positive pitch type value against the pitch.

 

Beckham may be able to recognize pitches, but he’s making poor decisions at the plate. With each passing season, Beckham has been more aggressive. This isn’t only reflected in his poor 6.3% walk rate either. Beckham’s O-Swing% has increased each season, meaning he’s chasing more pitches out of the zone. Opposing pitchers took notice, throwing Beckham fewer pitches in the zone last season. While he’s also swinging at more pitches in the zone, he’s struggling to make contact with those pitches.

 

One of the other majors reasons for Beckham’s struggles last season was his extremely high infield fly ball rate. Beckham’s rate soared to 21% last season. A player that hits such a high number of infield flies isn’t making great contact, and won’t post strong averages. If Beckham can’t correct this problem, he’s going to have a hard time posting batting averages in the .270s.

[Texsox]

Not a mechanical hitter and letting it fly could mean about technique not about aggressive swings. Instead of filling his head with mechanical thoughts like hip position, shoulder rotation, head angle, etc. just see a good pitch and swing. Works in golf and I believe it works in baseball.

[Texsox]

Mechanical and disciplined are two different concepts. You can be mechanical and not disciplined, you can be mechanical and disciplined, you can even be free swinging and disciplined, whcih may be what our new coach is saying.