A lot of people have been bagging on Young's swing, but I think his swing is mostly OK. His biggest problem is he's constantly looking for the fastball to drive, so when he gets late into a count and pitchers are throwing him junk, he gets way out in front of a pitch. You get out on front = pop up about 95 percent of the time. You can even get pop ups when you're late. He just can't square up the off-speed stuff because he doesn't know how to keep his hips from opening up early on them. It's a nuanced timing/rhythm issue, and one of pitch recognition, but one every major leaguer understands. It's how pitchers who don't throw hard or who have great variances in speed can have a career. The great ones will open up, reset, and the slam the off-speed stuff, but very few people on the planet have that kind of bat speed.
I don't think that's something that's easy to teach and if guys haven't learned it by the time they're Chris Young's age, they're unlikely to ever improve. I think Chris Young has become the player he's going to be: He's a see-it, hit-it kind of hitter. I don't see him ever being a guy who thinks much at the plate. Curious if any of you are satisfied with that.
I don't think that's something that's easy to teach and if guys haven't learned it by the time they're Chris Young's age, they're unlikely to ever improve. I think Chris Young has become the player he's going to be: He's a see-it, hit-it kind of hitter. I don't see him ever being a guy who thinks much at the plate. Curious if any of you are satisfied with that.
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