Posted by: Pro_Hitter (andygreen29@hotmail.com) on Mon Oct 27 19:08:10 2003

Rotational principles are even more valuable for a small hitter. Since strength is lacking for the smaller guys (when compared to McGwire, Bonds, Sosa, and the like), it is essential to create as much torque as possible in order to generate any semblance of power.

I know you asked for Major League Hitters, but I speak from minor league experience. I just finished my 3rd full pro season in AA with the Arizona Diamondbacks and at 5'9" 170 pounds, I definitely qualify as the smaller variety. However, with the use of rotational principles and a strong scap load, I managed to tie for the league lead in hitting and lead the league in doubles. Although home runs aren't really a major factor of my game (15 in three seasons), I have led my league in doubles for the last two season. I'd be happy to discuss the intricacies of my hitting philosophy if anyone is interested, but I must say that Jack has a better handle on it than me...I just execute it the best I can (still a student of the game)

It seems that all the hitters we toalk about on this site are power hitters, big muscle guys. Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Pujols, etc. Are their any weak or small hitters who use this rotational hitting method? Guys like Jimmy Rollins, Juan Pierre, Greg Counsel?
> > >
> > > Few don't. Gwynn. Ichiro...?
> > >
> > > How big is Soriano? Hank Aaron wasn't all that big.
> >
> > OK but who else? Delino Deshields, J-Roll, Tim Raines, Pee Wee Reese?
>
> Don't have any clips of those guys, but in general I would say you either want to adopt the Ichiro model, or you want hit the ball as hard as you can. For a smaller guy, the goal might be hard singles with the occasional gapper while for Mac or Bonds the goal is to hit it out of the park with others somewhere in between. But I still believe the rotational model is the way to go.