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Twitter is an amazing tool for fans and bloggers, in that it provides access to people with expertise that many fans would not have had the ability to speak with in the past. Last night, I was able to learn something about Curtis Granderson’s stance from one such interaction. After Granderson hit his home run, senior scout Steve Carter of Project Prospect stated that he loved Granderson’s new handset. When I asked for clarification, he graciously sent me the following explanation:
Granderson is holding his hands further away from his body, and much more out over the plate. His struggles in the past against LHP was a result of him flying open trying to protect inside, which left the outer half wide open. Now that his arms are out away from his body he can win the race on the inner half and still cover and/or fight off pitches away. This has also helped him be more direct and quicker with his hands, which will help regardless of pitching. So if he wants to hook the ball out over that nice little porch in Right at Yankee Stadium, he won’t have to fly open to do so, he’ll just have to be quick with his hands. Should see him increase in all areas offensively with this new handset. Wouldn’t shock me if he hit .265-.270 with 35 home runs.
It should be interesting to keep an eye on this mechanical change going forward. As I understand it, the new handset should give him more plate coverage while allowing him to retain the ability to pull inside pitches. This should be particularly helpful against left-handers, against whom he was pull happy last season. Greater plate coverage should mean that fewer of those pulled balls will turn into pop-ups, and that he can go the other way with an outside pitch if he so chooses. Hopefully, he can leverage this change into improved performance against left handers while continuing to beat up on righties.
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8 Responses to Granderson's New Handset
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TIQ IQ
And you were able to get this information and distribute it without press-access to the clubhouse? What black magic is this?
This isn’t directed at you, but I hate how people are flipping out about every damn at bat for Curtis against lefties. I wish people would let the season develop a little.
Agreed. Every at-bat is “he looks bad against lefties.” It’s 5 AB’s.
unfortunately it’s NY so everything is magnified. Look at how ppl reacted to park’s HR
New York is the best of places to play…or your worse night mare! That’s the facts Jack!
Look how many years Jeter has had a free ride on his HIDP or his defense or Bernie on “just being Bernie”. Why, because the press and most fans love them. There are many reasons to like them but, facts are what they are, you can’t change them.
CHoP and Ace are going to be needed this year, give them all a break.
Me, I would vote to have CG in LF and Brett in CF, but the team has other ideas. so be it.
Some of the press still believe Brett is better off the bench then in LF’d. Dat’s da whay it go in New Youok!
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