Is there evidence that a player can learn to recognize pitches 1. and 2. hit them?

[JustaFan]

Recent thread fix Benson: reds hiring three new hitting coaches bring back Votto comments.

the savvy members of the board, I'm sure can name 20 former Reds, past and current who had raw power, if and when they hit a fast ball.

[Kingspoint]

Those that can learn to recognize pitches and hit them have long careers in the Majors. Those that don't, do not.

So, yeah, there's evidence that 10,000 players have been very good at learning it. It's something that has to be constantly relearned every year.

[CySeymour]

Those that can learn to recognize pitches and hit them have long careers in the Majors. Those that don't, do not.

So, yeah, there's evidence that 10,000 players have been very good at learning it. It's something that has to be constantly relearned every year.

Really, if you think about it, it's much less than that. There's been like 25k players in MLB history, probably more than half who are pitchers. So of those remaining hitters, a fraction have been good MLB hitters who are good at pitch recognition.

I've always suspected that for the most part it really is something you are born with. Much like a mathematician being able to just see patterns in numbers, partly from education and also because their brain is wired to recognize them.

[Kingspoint]

Really, if you think about it, it's much less than that. There's been like 25k players in MLB history, probably more than half who are pitchers. So of those remaining hitters, a fraction have been good MLB hitters who are good at pitch recognition.

I've always suspected that for the most part it really is something you are born with. Much like a mathematician being able to just see patterns in numbers, partly from education and also because their brain is wired to recognize them.

For 75 years Major League Baseball had about half of the quality hitters that existed in all of baseball. Many would also have their careers end early because of injuries.

[JustaFan]

Joey Votto was successful (IMO) because he spent the due-diligence to acquire plate recognition re balls/strikes and make the adjustments to improve his odds of accompliing his desired result.
He had fewer wasted ABS. I would wager most of the quality hitters had similar dedication.

Players know, watch after the fact, when they swing at out of the zone pitches, while I wonder why many don't show improvement, is it similar to not being able to recognize in a mini-second or just not doing the due-diligence to improve their odds of being successful in their dual with the pitcher.

[Kingspoint]

It's like any other job. It's a skill that's developed with work and practice, and that varies with the individual. Some people are better fits mentally and emotionally and physically for different jobs than others.

[boxseat]

I would think that a professional player would know what a fastball looks like. If not, they probably shouldn't be in the league.

[CySeymour]

I would think that a professional player would know to what a fastball looks like.

But can they quickly enough recognize a 2 seamer from a 4 seamer? What about a straight change out of the pitchers hand?

[Boston Red]

Everything looks like a fastball....until it doesn't.

[boxseat]

Everything looks like a fastball....until it doesn't.

You're getting at what I'm saying. They can recognize speed, but not the pitch type.

[tomd63]

I've always wondered how much a players eyesight played into pitch recognition. I've always heard that really good hitters had exceptional eyesight.