Kevin Smith

Yes, the Yankees have a literal genius MIT Physicist, Lenny (who is the man), on payroll. He invented the “Torpedo” barrel. It brings more wood - and mass - to where you most often make contact as a hitter. The idea is to increase the number of “barrels” and decrease misses.

Had a great time talking about infield play with @KJS_4 If you are an infielder or someone who coaches infielders it’s worth everything second of your time. And go read his articles!

Phenomenal infield defense talk with my guy @KJS_4. Give a listen to his advice and get to his account to read more about high level infield play.

@OnDRoof It’s incredible. If you go watch an old game you’ll see a terribly called game. The difference is - thigh high pitches just off the plate at 92-94 are so much easier to hit than something 95+ on any of the corners. Easier pitches were called strikes more often - with worse stuff.

@KJS_4 These charts say you gotta give the current umps a lot of credit. They’re nailing the strike zone. Very impressive.

This is insane. To think about how much better the stuff is now compared to 2007. And then think about more pitches being called strikes. And thinking about how more pitches that are harder to hit in harder to hit locations are being called strikes … And layer in analytics and how they know exactly how to get you out. And guys are still having incredible success, is, almost impossible to believe.

@I_Ran_Contras Haha this made my day. Appreciate that man! That was a great moment - all i remember from that day is the Rays came back and won. I didn’t get to enjoy it how i wished!

@KJS_4 Kevin this is obviously unrelated but as a former Oakland A's fan who was going to Maryland when they traded for you, you were genuinely my favorite player on that A's team that grand slam off Yarbrough had me losing it

This is a huge difference when moving to 3B. You have to be so much better going back on balls compared to SS. Everything gets on you quicker. Most grounders have less bounces - so they get on your quicker and stay hotter longer. 3B grounders have way more spin on them than SS grounders. Top spin makes the hops play different, and most of the time you only get a couple at 3B to create your hop. You need the ability to go back on balls to get the hop you need to get. There’s way more ways to get stuck in between hops at 3B. The best can drop step to create time, create angles, and create the hop they need. It’s also huge for getting your eyes to the side of the ball - which is key to fielding balls clean and getting good reads when EV are as high as they are at his level. He’s training the right things.

This is absolutely the hardest thing to get comfortable with. Throws off your pre pitch timing for a bit until you get the new feel down. The amount of spin/hook on balls at 3B is also overlooked a lot of times. Up the middle it felt like most balls played true. Unless in 6 hole by lefty or righty. Nothing compared to 3B. You’ll see guys just transitioning be short on backhands and over run forehand’s in the beginning.

When I moved to 3rd base with Angels this was by far the hardest thing for me to adjust … not following the ball from pitcher

@StarzGoldAPI It naturally creates the type of timing you want to see. Give it a try, curious what you think.

@KJS_4 Can't stand seeing a step towards the ball when there is no need to gain ground. I never thought about delaying hop to help with this. Will have to try it next time I see this in one of our younger players.

No specific data on softball vs baseball - just data on how quickly you can move 3-5 feet in the direction of the ball. All the data I’ve seen on that is super clear that being off the ground wins every time. Even if it’s only an inch off the ground. Softball can get on you even quicker than baseball, so i would think it would be smarter to have smaller hops. Also, when thinking of quickness and being “springy” we don’t necessarily want to be absorbing anything. We want to be more stiff with less looseness in our body - when we hit the ground we want to be ready and able to go. I’d look at film of what the feet are doing relative to contact and reads to assess. Is their lead foot working under them? Is their rear foot pushing? Or are they taking that first step toward the ball? How deep can they take those angles? Is there a lot of movement down or up in the body before they make their first move? It’s all about what puts the player in a better position - why works for one may not work for the other.

@KJS_4 We have always been a land at contact teacher for our pre-pitch movement. Any data on softball timing? I feel landing at contact usually means if they buy in they are reading while they absorb impact before first movement. Love teaching a read first for OF, too.

@GoCFBaseball Thanks Marty!

Another pearl….and must read for infielders.

Pre-Pitch and Infielder Timing: Two main things 1. One thought to free your mind and get locked in every pitch 2. Infielders need their feet off the ground at contact Coming soon.

@James_Schiano Yes he is. Mature beyond his years. Understands the game at a crazy high level. His movement and decisions on the INF are incredible. He’s only going to get better.

George Lombard is not even the best shortstop prospect in the Yankees’ system

@PatHisle3 Can’t believe i omitted - this will be put as a priority

@KJS_4 Saw you omitted circle catch from your first article, would love to see as much content as possible on the subject

What article should i publish next?

@tylerjhaman Thanks man

@KJS_4 Phenomenal stuff Kevin. These articles are absolute golden advice. Thank you for the insight.

@FWCBaseball Appreciate you!

@KJS_4 Just came across your feed. Your fielding info is outstanding!

@GoCFBaseball @ArtOfBaseball @JWonCATCHING First time I’m hearing of Art of Baseball but I’ll definitely check it out. Jerry is in a league of his own.

@KJS_4 Thank you Kevin. Don't know how I just found your page but between you, @ArtOfBaseball, @JWonCATCHING, and many others, coaches can obtain some absolutely fantastic, high-level information.

So good….

@ZackDelise Appreciate it Zach - the hitting side gets all the love!

@KJS_4 This is such a great article! I love the defensive side of the game so getting an insight into your mind on defense is incredible especially since hitting is mostly whats talked about in depth on here. I really appreciate the thought and effort you’re putting into these articles!