Observations From the World Series: Barrel Up!

1. Putting The Barrel To The Baseball (Consistent Solid Contact)

 

In the first game of the World Series, Pablo Sandoval hit 3 home runs. Only 3 other times in Major League history has this ever been done before:  Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols. Three pretty good hitters. The interesting thing about it is he did it on 3 totally different pitches. The first was a high fastball, the second was a running fastball on the outside corner, and the third was a low breaking ball. What do all these have in common? He barreled them all up.

 

There is a lot of talk about technique, and there always will be. Technique is great and it must be taught. But the bottom line is always putting the barrel on the baseball. Time and time again in professional baseball you see hitters take poor swings or they’re off-balance at contact (see Hunter Pence). This means the pitcher did his job. But, if the hitter can put the barrel on the ball (see Hunter Pence again), good things generally tend happen. So when you are going through your off-season (or in-season) training, part of your concentration needs to be on your hitters ability to put the barrel on the baseball. Hitters will not always take perfect swings. If they can keep their hands back, control their body, and put the barrel where it needs to be, they will have a better chance of consistent solid contact.