Quote:
Originally Posted by rgslone
But Doug. . . would you deny that, for whatever reason, Stubbs hasn't made adjustments that have been reflected in outcome? Moreover, Stubbs has stated on more than one occassion (the last being about a week ago) that he didn't see any need to alter his approach to hitting to lessen strikeouts - the jist of which I took to mean he thought maintaining his power was more important. Now, I don't know how much a guy like Stubbs (i.e., a guy who has alwyas struck out a lot) can improve his contact rate, but I would have to think there are things that can be taught or different approaches to hitting that would somewhat improve one's ability to make contact and/or get on base more. If that's correct, then I would mainly blame the organization; and at this point I would think that it's getting a little late and Stubbs is probably too entrenched in his approach to change much.
As for the comparison of Stubbs and Cozart hitting ability, you've seen them both for a while now, both coming up in the minors and now in the big leagues, so I would have to defer to your opinion; but it just looks to me like Cozart has better contact skills - whether it will play out like that over the whole season I don't know.
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Stubbs strikes out because of pitch recognition, not because of his swing or anything to do with it. There is a reason that nearly everyone strikes out and walks at a similar rate as they always do. It isn't some easy fix because it is usually related to the ability to read a pitch quick enough to know what is coming and that generally can't be taught.
Cozart makes more contact, or should. But a lot of guys make more contact than Joey Votto does too. Doesn't mean they are better hitters. If contact rates made good hitters, Juan Pierre would be the best hitter in baseball, not one of the worst.