Quote:
Originally Posted by Balticfox
You seem to equate power hitting with only strength/bat speed. Keep in mind though that there are two components to being a power hitter - power and the hitting! Cruz in 2024 had a batting average of just .259, only 69 walks to 218 strikeouts and you yourself admitted that he whiffs at far too many pitches that MLB players are expected to drive. It seems pretty obvious therefore that in swinging for the fences he ends up overswinging.
The obvious prescription would therefore be for him to concentrate on making contact, i.e. hitting the ball where it's pitched. If he's got the strength/bat speed, he'll get the multi base hits. Plus a lot more opportunities to steal.
Lots of hitters these days have Cruz's power. Few though have his speed. I think the Reds should therefore use him to hit leadoff and create havoc on the basepaths.
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He's far too young to think his weaknesses need to result in entirely changing his approach. Especially given he will be a top 5 MVP candidate at 22 years old. He put up 5.4 fWAR. He's obviously doing something right, and you don't want to go overhauling the formula at his age. Let him develop. If after a few years he hasn't adjusted, maybe try to fix something. But for now, you have a generational talent on your hands. You try to get the absolute best out of that when they're young. Imagine if Ohtani had signed with a team that wouldn't let him hit and pitch. We would never have witnessed greatness on the level we have. Thankfully, he knew his potential and didn't give up on those skills. Elly has power potential that should not be abandoned yet. We might just miss out on history.