Johnson: Sabato concentrating on contact

[Seth Stohs]

https://www.thegazette.com/minor-league-sports/first-rounder-aaron-sabato-concentrates-on-contact-as-he-joins-cedar-rapids-kernels/

Jeff Johnson chatted pre-game earlier this week about his adjustment to pro ball and what he has been working on. 

Quote

“The biggest thing for me is not about how you start, it’s how you finish,” said Sabato, whose Kernels hosted Quad Cities in the fourth game of their six-game series Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. “You don’t have to always look at what you’re hitting, what you’re doing, as long as you keep grinding and going. There are a lot of things that go with it than just (batting) average. If you’re being consistent, if you’re putting the ball in play, if you are taking your walks, are you doing what you can do?

“For me, that’s what it’s been about. You don’t number chase. You go out and play your game.”

 

[tony&rodney]

Confidence and persistence are very important as baseball is a difficult sport. Most players need at least four years to hone their craft and then need to make constant adjustments when they finally get to the highest level.

[DocBauer]

The power is obviously there. Major power! The walks tell me has a decent idea as to what he's doing and has a solid approach. That would indicate the BA and better contact are coming. 

The one thing few ever spoke about with all the changes in milb that has occupied my thoughts from time to time is Ft Myers being the low A team now. It's been well documented that the FSL is a tough place to hit. I've heard comments over the years that if you can hit there, you should be able to hit at the next level.

But now, the "hard to hit in" league is an introduction level, or second level for the really young players. And I find myself wondering if this could be a hindrance or a future benefit to the Twins youngest prospects?

 

[Dman]

I get that it is a process I really do and his eye seems better than most but you have to make contact and he just hasn't been able to until recently.  It just is disconcerting that a guy whose bat most scouts thought was MLB ready couldn't make contact when push came to shove.  It feels like a fatal flaw.

He has the right attitude though. You have to keep trying and better understand what pitchers are trying to do to you and find a swing path to match what they are throwing at you.  He has a lot of work to do but the good eye should help him have a chance to succeed without that I would say he is lost.

[old nurse]

7 hours ago, DocBauer said:

The power is obviously there. Major power! The walks tell me has a decent idea as to what he's doing and has a solid approach. That would indicate the BA and better contact are coming. 

The one thing few ever spoke about with all the changes in milb that has occupied my thoughts from time to time is Ft Myers being the low A team now. It's been well documented that the FSL is a tough place to hit. I've heard comments over the years that if you can hit there, you should be able to hit at the next level.

But now, the "hard to hit in" league is an introduction level, or second level for the really young players. And I find myself wondering if this could be a hindrance or a future benefit to the Twins youngest prospects?

 

Sabato and Severino both made the jump this year and both saw their statistics go up at Cedar Rapids. Trackman data from the games are probably more important than the outcome in the game for the hitters, so the bigger parks, hence is neither a help or a hinderance.