Posted by: Doug () on Thu Dec 18 16:59:19 2003

If you look at the clips (youth web site) of Guerrero and Mac (from the back) there is a distinct (to me) difference in the contact point: Mac is more at full extension, while Vlad has pulled his hands more inside, shortening the radius of the swing. Are there different techniques going on here? What are the implications of each technique? Which is more common in MLB? Thoughts would be appreciated. Nick

>>>> Hi Nick, When looking at clips of Mac and Vlad, it is hard to say if it is technique. The pitch location and the type of pitch thrown could have Vlad in that position. I feel the best way to compare swings is to see the guys take BP, where they are right on the pitch and putting their best swing on it. Mac could have been sitting on a FB and got one right in his wheelhouse and Vlad might be trying to hit a Lefty's cutter right on his hands. If it was, then Vlad is just making an adjustment to the pitch so that he can get good wood on it. I have a lot of tape of Bonds at home, and I kept one swing where he was really fooled and is taking a one handed emergency hack, just to remind me that not even Bonds is perfect. I have a ton of film on Mac at home, but none on Vlad. Maybe this year I will get a dozen swings or so and then compare all of them.>>>

Doug