Posted by: The Hitting Guru (hitman3527@aol.com) on Wed May 3 22:27:13 2006

> Hi Jack,
>
> I have a site showing Derek Jeter hitting an American League Division Series (Game 2, 2002) at the moment of contact. Although I have a definitive opinion on how he hits, I am interested if you can consider the image, and deconstruct its strengths and weaknesses.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Regards,
> BHL
> Knight1285@aol.com
>
> P.S. Here is the site: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Derek-Jeter-2002-ALDS-Game-2-Home-Run-Posters_i1576201_.htm



BHL. It appears as though Jeter is hitting a homerun to the opposite field. Granted Jeter does not have the smoothest swing, he is effective as he is a career .300 hitter. Jeter also has a lot of power. He is one of the few players to hit a homerun to Yankee Stadiums black centerfield seats.

On the picture you posted, his hands are ahead of the barrel, so he is in a good position to launch his hands. In general he has an inside out swing, so he compromises maximum power for contact which allows him longer to judge a pitch since he is not a dead pull hitter. Jeter's swing reminds me a little of HOF player Robin Yount who also had good opposite power, but could also turn on the ball.

Jeter brings his hands in in order to hit the pitch inside. He also uses a lot of athletic ability in order to make his swing work. When he gets jammed, he gets a lot of hits because he is able to fight of good pitches. Gor the most part good hitters are able to do this.