Follow up from Wednesday
Dusty Baker on the some things from Wednesday's game:
On Bronson Arroyo last night: "Bronson was good, very good. The only mistake he made was he hung that curveball to the pitcher (Dan Haren). . . He pitched good enough to win that game. I'm just glad he didn't get t he loss."
On Kent Mercker's 1-2-3, 2-strikeout inning: "Mercker was great. That was a perfect situation for him. He threw the ball great. The breaking ball looked better to lefties. His fastball, they're not picking it up. I saw that in spring training. I was happy for him."
On Adam Dunn's opposite field single in the ninth: "That really made the inning. Brandon (Phillips) leadoff single started it. I talked to him before spring training about the difference in him now and before. One year (2002) he hit .313 and made the All-Star team. . . I was going to tell him that was great last night. . . That was hitting."
It was pointed out that Dunn hit .300 in the minors.
"He can hit .300 again -- with the same power. He's going to have a good year. He's running better. He's moving better."
posted by John Fay at 12:24 PM
3 Comments:
at 4:40 PM 
NVreds said...
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at 12:15 AM 
Unknown said...
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at 12:45 PM 
reaganspad said...
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Post a Comment*he hit .313.....until the scouting reports caught up, he finished that year @ .249. was his 2nd year, 1st full year.
He will never hit .300 for a season. Thats fine so long as he keeps it around .270 or maybe higher.
Dunn certainly could hit .300 for the year - he has a great eye, as evidenced by his walks and his two-strike command (which he trusts too much - gotta protect more).
Dunn's "average" problem is simple - he locks out his right arm, lays the bat down, and drags it through the zone with his front shoulder. It causes him to not be able to "push" the ball to left, not catch up with high heat (due to the resultant uppercut), and to miss too many balls. He still gets into a good hitting position at contact, but his poor arrival (dropping the bat and dragging, instead of throwing it forward to the ball) leads to less contact overall. Watch A-Rod or Ryan Howard (or for a less powerful, closer-to home version BP or Kepp) - they all start their swings by moving their hands forward, at the ball, rather than by dropping the bat head. Adam Dunn in the minors was this type of hitter, but he's decided to hit 40 a year by overswinging, and it costs him 40-50 points a year (though he'd still hit 40 dingers).
what a great hitting lesson Dave. I have known that Dunn changed since his rookie year. Dusty sounds like he is focused on pushing Dunn's buttons. He should have him read your post.
Thanks
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