While watching the Cubs this weekend, I couldn't help notice how bad Castro looks using an open stance. Solar was also using the open stance and every at bat looked like he juuust missed the pitch.
Most of the Rockies players where using a squared stance and seemed to be nailing every mistake Cubs pitchers where making. So, it got me thinking. Squared or open? Which is better?
cons and pros
SQUARED: This is where all good hitters want to be at contact, so if you can start here it makes your stride and swing less complicated.
OPEN: Standing open to the pitcher will allow you to turn your head a little more to the pitcher so you will be able to see the ball better with both eyes.
OPEN: When open, you need to get back to square to hit the ball, so your front foot will step toward home plate eliminating the tendency to step away from the plate if you start square.
This is a problem that some hitters have especially when a right handed hitter is facing a right handed pitcher and a left handed hitter is facing a left handed pitcher.
SQUARED: square feet allows you a better chance to hit any pitch in any location that comes your way.
OPEN: Some hitters who use this stance tend to pull the baseball.
SQUARED: Getting a little closer to the plate will take away the outside part of the plate and make it closer to them.
OPEN: Sometimes these hitters sell out to pulling the baseball and don’t get quite back to square.
Final Verdit: Squared is the better stance because there is less movement, less room for error and more time to react to a pitch.
Can you name 10 open stance hitters who hit for average and power?
Now name 10 square stance hitters who hit for average and power.