Austin Kearns' approach, for what it's worth
by Potomac Fan on Jul 25, 2009 1:49 PM EDT
12 comments
Austin Kearns' days in DC are numbered. No secret there. It's even surprising that he's still here but that might be the result of the large contract. He isn't even a major league hitter anymore, struggling just to hit .200. The coaching staff discovered that Daniel Cabrera was putting his foot on the rubber when he threw and they tried to correct it (unsuccessfully). So why haven't they taken a look at Austin Kearns' mechanics? There's one simple thing he can do, and it doesn't involve anything complicated. CHOKE UP ON THE BAT, AUSTIN!
He is consistently late on his swings. He often loses control of the bat and sends it flying into the stands. You can tell that he's trying to maximize the power of his swing by getting maximum extension and using the weight of the bat, instead of getting good bat speed. All of this is related to his bad habit of putting his bottom hand at the end of the bat, so that he is barely hanging on with that hand. This is why he has such a terrible hold of the bat and it may be why he can't catch up to major league pitching anymore.
Many hitters try to get through slumps by choking up on the bat. Why won't he do this? Or why won't the coaches make him do it? It's not rocket science. Is he afraid that he'll look like a weak contact hitter if he does? So what? Is that any worse than batting .198? It's not like he's hitting HRs with his current approach. The strikeouts wouldn't matter so much if he were also hitting HRs like Adam Dunn or Ryan Howard but he has just 3 HR in 167 AB this year to go with 49 K's.
Maybe he will always be too stubborn to change but he should realize that he is playing himself out of the major leagues, not just out of DC. Some have said that he is just homesick or that he doesn't like playing in a big city. That may be true but that's unrelated to the fact that he is consistently late on his swings and that he is holding the bat way too low. Some other players have their idiosyncrasies like Kevin Youkilis or Gary Sheffield but no one is going to complain if you are productive. When your idiosyncrasy directly affects your productivity, then you absolutely need to change the bad habit. At the very least, have him change his approach and choke up. Get him to improve his average to .260 or .270 (hopefully) so that the Nats can trade him for an OK prospect. That's about all the team can hope for. Then if he reverts to his bad habit of holding the bat so low next year, he'll be on a different team and it won't matter to the Nats.
Unfortunately I don't think this is going to happen. Frustrating since no one seems to be trying this simple solution. What is there to lose by telling Kearns to choke up on the bat? Nothing. So do it.
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I think regarding Kearns improving in the Land of Velveetaball
He’s the empty can of Cheez Whiz to a dumpster diving street survivalist……..
He’s the half-eaten Lunchable, ripening all Summer in the forgotten lunchbox, to be revealed as to it’s true value when back-to-school time arrives…..
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 25, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I shouldnt hate Kearns
But I kinda do. I think he is a product of a silly Bowden-ness. He just hasnt performed and what makes it worse for me is that ANYone else would have been sent to AAA given the performances and told to work it out. But because he is management favourite, he stays and rides the pine. I just think it sends a bad message (you can be as bad as u like, as long as ur a nice guy and try hard)… and doesnt really help the team much at all. For the love of god, send him somewhere…anywhere.
"On this team, the difference between Clippard and Julian Tavarez is like the difference between a 6-2 loss and a 9-2 loss." -- Chico Harlan
by Mezza on Jul 25, 2009 7:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At this point, there’s sadly nothing to be done with him besides looking at him on the bench as a reminder of ^%$#@’s reign as GM.
If you can’t convince them, confuse them. - President Harry S Truman
by ROSCOEtheNATSfan on Jul 25, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stay on the bench, Bluegrass......
“Elijah Dukes. Even though Dukes is stuck in Class AAA now, he was perhaps the Nats’ most productive hitter in 2008 (when healthy) and has had few off-field issues. Strong production and good attitude in Syracuse suggest a promotion is coming soon.”
(Kearns/Lopez deal not listed, of course)
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 26, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My guts have always told me that both Willy Mo and Austin were juicers in Cincy
But, they both gave it up as Nats. Obviously I can easily be wrong. However, Austin still has a power swing. In some ways I understand him keeping his power swing because he is still a decently hard guy to get out with a .332 on base percentage. Plus, to play everyday right fielders have generally had to hit at least 20 homers a year in the past. But, that may be changing a little (look up Randy Winn). Nonetheless, if he could figure out how to hit .260 or .270 like you say, then maybe he could onbase .370 regularly. That kind of on base skill should get you alot of at bats on some teams. Particullarly since he has always been a very good right fielder with the glove. On the other hand, choking up on the bat may not do much for his real meager power number despite the increase in batting average. Which I think is likely why he is not changing soon.
"What you know is often the enemy of what you can learn" Bill James
by PhDBrian on Jul 26, 2009 2:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
austin kearns
has somehow developed an insanely slow bat… he is late on absolutely everything. Snyone who throws this guy an offspeed pitch is giving him an absolute gift
by martins on Jul 26, 2009 3:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As a Mets fan, I was hoping they'd take a flier on him
I thought he’d be been undervalued by the Nationals coming into the season, because he profiled as a good OBP/good defense guy. Unfortunately, his defense has fallen off the map and his power has been completely zapped. His ISO has trended downward since he left Cincinnati — .203 in 2006, .145 in 2007, .099 in 2008 and .113 this season. I really hope this isn’t the end of the line for Kearns in Major League Baseball.
by All Shook Down on Jul 26, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We'll give you $20 if the Mets take Kearns.
"On this team, the difference between Clippard and Julian Tavarez is like the difference between a 6-2 loss and a 9-2 loss." -- Chico Harlan
by Mezza on Jul 27, 2009 6:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I'm not mistaken
Kearns’ continuing to remain on the roster is due to the option year on his contract. If they hold onto him (trading him isn’t really an option at this point, and hasn’t been for a while…. who would want him?) until the end of the year, they can buy it out for $1,000,000. If they don’t, I think they’re on the hook for the $10 million club option. Basically, by leaving him on the roster, they’ll save a lot of money when they tell him to take a hike this offseason.
It was nice to see him hit a walkoff single today, but he clearly doesn’t really have a place on a big league roster right now.
by bluelineswinger on Jul 26, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it's a case where a fat contract has worked against him getting a change of scenery and a chance to play.
I’m sure he’ll get signed to a league minimum or minor league contract with an invite to ST by some team next year. He may even bounce back and leave all of us to wonder what the heck happened while he was here….
"And it's really tough to put your finger on what it is, uh specifically, it kind of like snowballs on us and we just don't execute at times..." -Rizzo
by cat daddy3000 on Jul 26, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game-winning hit
Maybe my little post lit a fire under Austin. The very next day he gets a game-winning hit. How about that!
But alas, it’s too little, too late. Unless he somehow manages to go on a tear over the next two months. That would be difficult though, since he isn’t a starter anymore. But nice to see him come through for once.
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Washington, first in war, first in peace, last in the NL East :(
by Potomac Fan on Jul 27, 2009 1:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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