I subscribe to a bottom- to- top approach in evaluating hitters.
I ask my younger hitters this question: “If you and I were to build a house, would we need a strong foundation?”
They usually say yes, with a laugh. With that said, we work on establishing a strong base. In my opinion, this is a fundamental component of evaluating a position player’s hitting ability. I look for a smooth balance in weight shift from front foot to back foot. I want to see a powerful shift of hip rotation from back to front. Additionally, I want to see how the hitter sets up at the plate: I observe where his feet are and if the stance is open or closed; if the hitter is up in the box or back and if the hitter stands closer to the plate or further away.
Another question that I usually ask is: “If you were to throw a punch at me, how would you throw it?” I get a laugh or a smirk, then the hitter will demonstrate. More times than not, the hitter will wind up and throw a wide punch. I then push the hitter slightly and the hitter loses balance. I throw a make-believe punch with my hands closer to my body and ask the hitter “Push me!” More smirks and laughter. If I ate my Wheaties that morning, I keep my balance and I’m steady. I then ask, “What hand position gives me more power, balance, and control? Hands further away from my body or hands closer to my body?”
Point being, I look for hands closer to the body that work fluidly with hip rotation, as smoothly as a pendulum on a grandfather clock. I look for hands that are going back in the load and explosive coming “to and through” the ball.
Other important things that I look for in a hitter is visual swagger. Not cockiness, but confidence. The hitter has a plan and understands the in-game situation (count, who’s on base, how many outs, tendencies of the pitcher). I don’t want to see “paralysis by analysis” but more of being your own best coach. Does the hitter adjust from game to game, at bat to at bat, and pitch by pitch? Also, I look for point of contact. Does the hitter consistently square up the ball? Does the hitter finish the swing after contact? On that note, I work with hitters on visualizing hitting the ball with their hands. “Eyes to, hands thru!” In terms of finishing, we talk about visualizing the hitting of four baseballs from contact to finish.
In my opinion, all of these observations vary according to the developmental stage of the particular hitter. Obviously, my projected evaluation of a middle school player might be different than a high school player. Similarly, a projected evaluation could be different from high school to college and college to professional.
Overall, there are myriad variables, including the mindset of the hitter, if the hitter is coachable and has inner confidence, as well as the potential for physical and mental growth.
