Breaking down Josh Donaldson’s new swing after two-homer recreation for Yankees
TAMPA – Josh Donaldson had his first multi-homer game as a Yankee on Tuesday.
It was one thing he didn’t accomplish in his disappointing 2022 season in The Bronx, and got here throughout a Grapefruit League recreation at Steinbrenner Discipline.
The Yankees are relying on extra of that type of efficiency throughout the common season – and the changes he debuted Tuesday could also be key.
Donaldson and hitting coach Dillon Lawson acknowledged that the 37-year-old needed to modify his strategy on the plate to grow to be extra constant.
Thus far, that’s resulted in a extra streamlined swing – however each additionally mentioned Donaldson must preserve not less than a few of what made him a feared hitter for many of the final decade.
“It was a grind final 12 months, making an attempt to determine stuff on the plate and the way I wanted to maneuver,’’ Donaldson mentioned. “I’ve all the time moved [during my swing]. I’m a believer in transferring within the batter’s field and I had success with that for a very long time. Final 12 months, I by no means received a grip on it constantly.”
There was much less of a leg kick on Tuesday, which resulted in a extra streamlined swing the Yankees hope lets Donaldson get to the ball quicker.
“There’s nonetheless motion and he nonetheless has his rhythm,’’ Lawson mentioned of the alterations. “He nonetheless has all of the constructing blocks that made him the hitter he has been his complete profession. It isn’t about altering his id. It’s making an attempt to make sure that he can get to sure spots extra constantly.”
A part of that evolution is getting accustomed to the pitch clock and the other ways pitchers will attempt to benefit from the brand new guidelines, like utilizing a fast pitch.
Donaldson, who is anticipated to play once more on Friday for the primary time since his two-homer recreation, once more declined to get into too many specifics of his new swing, referring to “making it easy.”
Lawson agreed.
“I believe if you happen to have a look at what he did at different factors of his profession earlier than he received right here, a number of the motion he had that felt massive to him wasn’t fairly that massive,’’ Lawson mentioned. “However time goes by and possibly the motion does grow to be greater or different elements of your swing change and now you is perhaps on time, however you’re in a distinct place and that throws off your swing. We’re making an attempt to simplify issues and make them extra concise with out having him lose who he’s as a hitter.’’
One Nationwide League scout who has seen Donaldson a number of occasions this spring – together with on Tuesday – mentioned the brand new swing seemed good, however famous that Donaldson additionally confirmed indicators of energy and constantly at occasions final 12 months, however was by no means in a position to keep it.
Donaldson is properly conscious of that truth.
And it’s introduced him again to one thing he handled throughout the early levels of his profession, when he was despatched again right down to the minors after beginning the season in Oakland in 2012.
He returned to the majors the next season and completed fourth within the AL MVP voting.
“This isn’t the primary time I’ve needed to determine it out,’’ Donaldson mentioned. “So it’s not one thing I’m unfamiliar with, it’s simply been awhile. I went again to the drafting board and had an trustworthy evaluation with myself of the place I’m at. It’s in my DNA. I’m not gonna cease till I determine it out.”
“He doesn’t take any of this calmly,’’ Lawson mentioned. “He may have rolled over final 12 months when it didn’t come collectively. However he’s labored his ass off since he’s been right here. Final 12 months, it didn’t work out, however the work he’s put in, it’s received to come back collectively. There’s no means that it received’t.”