Baseball Basics

Reese Havens: Swing Evaluation

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The 22nd pick of the 2008 draft — shortstop Reese Havens — has quickly emerged as one of the Mets’ top prospects. He is a strong all-around player, both in terms of talent and sound fundamentals, and has the “makeup” that scouts adore. Recently, the Mets decided to move him from his natural shortstop position … Read more

Listen To a Pro Baseball Scout

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What exactly does a pro baseball scout look for when evaluating a ballplayer? What kinds of things does a scout consider, in addition to raw baseball skills? How can an amateur ballplayer attract the interest of a pro scout? Find out by listenting to an interview I did with Tyrone Brooks, a professional baseball scout … Read more

Podcast with a Pro On Pitching

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Do you know what LHP is the all-time leader with the fewest walks per 9 innings since 1900? Hint: it’s not Johan Santana.

A few weeks ago I had a conversation on pitching with the lefthanded pitcher with the best control in MLB history —

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Can the Mets Use a Mental Coach?

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If you are a Mets fan, you are all-too-familiar with: – Mike Pelfrey’s “yips” – Oliver Perez’s “Jekyll and Hyde” routine – Frequent mental lapses on the bases and in the field – Team-wide choking that led to late-season collapses in 2007 and 2008 – Finger-pointing and under-the-bus throwing by players These issues were running … Read more

Fernandog Revisited

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Maybe I’m a weirdo, but wins don’t necessarily make me feel wonderful about a ballclub. For me, the process is just as, if not more, important as the result. Do not read on unless you have a good 5-10 minutes of time to waste — this is a long one.

Basics: Bunting

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While commenting on a replay of Oliver Perez dropping a beautiful sacrifice bunt in the third inning, Ron Darling brought up a fundamental that I don’t necessarily agree with. Darling said that you should hold the bat at chest level, and if the ball is above it, you let the ball go because it will … Read more