Every hitter has a unique approach in hopes of success every time they step to the plate. From picking out the right bat to perfecting their batting stance, hitters do anything they can to feel comfortable in the batter’s box. Another facet of their game is the type of swing that gives them the best results. Learning the different types of swings a hitter can take could help you narrow down the approach you want or need to finetune.
Barreling It Up
With the advancement of modern statistics, baseball players have learned how vital it is to barrel to baseball. If you glance at the barrel percentage leaderboards, you’ll notice the game’s finest hitters like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani are always near the type at barrel percentage.
Some hitters refer to a barrel swing as an uppercut, thanks to Ted Williams calling that in his book on hitting. However, the truth is that it’s not so much of an uppercut as it is a barrel-dropping cut. To successfully master this swing, a player must anticipate where the pitch will be and take the best swing path to square up the ball. It takes an aggressive, precise swing for positive results, proving it’s the most significant risk/reward swing in a hitter’s arsenal.
Nice & Level
Before the all-or-nothing barrel swing many players use today, the level rotation swing was one of the most prominent options. This swing aims to keep the bat flat and level to make solid contact that produces more line drives. Additionally, this swing requires a hitter to get power from their legs. Typically, a level swing is longer because they will engage their hips earlier to have their hands in the correct position. Someone with quick hips and impeccable timing can do damage with a rotation swing.
Slapping It Around
Some people may use the term slap hitter in a derogatory fashion, implying that they have little power and must spray the ball all over the field to get on base. While there is some truth to that, it’s not entirely accurate, especially when masters of the trade like Ichiro did when he broke the single-season hits record.
Expert slap hitters mostly use their hands and impeccable timing to watch their batting average climb. Although a slap hitter throws the barrel at the ball, it’s a different swing than the barrel swing since there is little oomph behind it. This swing is about contact and hitting it through the open holes on the field.
A Mix of Everything
The descriptor of being a “good overall hitter” means that a player can hit for power and contact, requiring a player to use a hybrid swing. A hybrid cut combines the essential elements of the other three swings and puts them into one. A hybrid swing is a hands-first approach, with you firing your hips to create power.
Understanding the different types of swings a hitter can take helps you realize that it’s not as simple as putting the bat on the ball. Developing an excellent hitting technique while playing youth baseball can help your game in the long run, turning you into a prodigious threat that could lead to a college scholarship.