Posted by: Jack Mankin (MrBatspeed@aol.com) on Tue Jan 8 12:57:53 2008

>>> Over the years it has come to be accepted on this sit that swing flaws are the reason for slumps. And although that is likely and initial problem, it does not explain why hitters go through slumps during the playoffs when they may have come of hot streaks or career years. I believe most of the slump has to do with their thought process which involves mechanics. Also a lot of credit has to be given to the pitcher. But some of the hitters are missing pitches right down the middle of the plate. Basically they are just not picking the ball soon enough or well enough to apply a solid swing. And anyone can execute great mechanics when there is no duress from top of the line pitcher. Kenny Rodgers was completely dominant 2 years ago and it was not the swing plane that put those hitters into slumps, it was the thought process. The same can be said for Clay Buckholz no hitter. <<<

Hi THG

I agree with you that not all batting slumps can be attributed to flawed mechanics. As you pointed out, good pitching and other factors can keep even the best hitters production down for a good period of time. However, I found that in many cases, video analysis does show some batters did develop mechanical flaws during their slump that effected performance.

In the case of A-Rod’s batting slumps, I do not think we can attribute it solely to pitching or not picking up the ball soon enough. During his slumps, he exhibited the same mechanical flaws in the Home Run Hitting Derby as he did against good pitching. Obviously, the pitcher in the Derby was serving up the best possible balls to hit. Yet, he still exhibited the same flaws that hampered his game production.

Below are two clips where I discuss mechanics that produce a productive swing plane and a clip of the flaw in A-Rod’s plane.

Sosa’s swing plane

Abreu’s swing plane

A-Rod’s swing plane

Jack Mankin