By Zac Clark
See the issue: November 2008

 
Actions speak louder than words. In the case of Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore, his bat is screaming.

The 20-20 Club? That’s business as usual for the Tribe leadoff man. In 2008, he stepped it up, becoming one of only two players to join the 30-30 club. The three-time All-Star had a career-high 32 dingers while picking up 35 stolen bags on the season.

For a guy who’s all about going through the grind, racking up extra base hits looks more like a walk in the park.

Here, Grady is stepping to the plate for STACK with tips on everything from hitting fastballs to escaping the “nasty hammer.”

What’s your gameplan for facing a hard-throwing flamethrower?
When guys throw harder, it’s almost like a reverse effect where you don’t want to do too much. Let his 95 mph fastball do the work—you don’t have to generate more [bat] speed.

How does that approach differ when facing a pitcher with a nasty breaking ball?
Look for a fastball early. If the guy’s got a big out pitch like a big curveball, you want to look for it. When they get ahead and they have that pitch, it’s a good out pitch and it’s tough to battle. Make sure you get a strike early and you put it in play so you don’t have to deal with the nasty hammer.

What do you look at when studying a pitcher you’re about to face?
I’m looking at location—where he is trying to throw in certain counts, what pitches is he trying to use, how did he get me out, and am I swinging at strikes.

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