The Farm System

Episode 219: Using a Closed Stance to Unlock Power, Direction & Adjustability


Listen Later

In this episode, we dive deep into real in-season hitting development with a college slugger who's batting .330+ but leaving power and consistency on the table. Despite his gargantuan size and 480-foot bombs earlier in the year, lower launch angles, reduced spin, directional leaks, and a pelvis asymmetry were causing him to jump forward, open early, hook balls, and miss the sweet spot—issues he'd battled most of his career. We break down how we addressed his structural asymmetries with targeted prep work and drills to create more space behind the ball and better rear hip engagement. Then, we explored orientation adjustments—specifically closing off the stance—to work around his current movement patterns without massive overhauls during a grueling travel-heavy season. Drawing inspiration from Giancarlo Stanton's 2017 MVP year, when he progressively closed his stance to stay on the ball longer, improve direction, and explode to all fields, we tested it live. The results? Immediate improvements in depth, barrel control, adjustability, opposite-field pop, and a huge 4-for-5 day with a homer and double—his best hitting performance of the season. We also discuss: Why you don't have to wait until the offseason to make meaningful changes. The art of timing adjustments with an athlete's temperament, coaching staff, and game plan. Finding what has worked for a hitter in the past and connecting it to similar movers. The bigger picture: sequencing your coaching cues, adding clarity instead of clutter, and the power of in-person mentorship and real-world experience. Whether you're a hitting coach, player, or parent, this episode shows how thoughtful, constraint-aware tweaks in the middle of the season can stack hits, skyrocket averages, and help athletes reach their true ceiling—without blowing up their routine. Success leaves clues. Sometimes the unlock is as simple as changing foot orientation.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Farm SystemBy The Farm System

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

79 ratings


More shows like The Farm System

View all
The Perception & Action Podcast by Rob Gray

The Perception & Action Podcast

108 Listeners

The D1Baseball Podcast by Mike Rooney, Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, Joe Healy | D1Baseball

The D1Baseball Podcast

236 Listeners

ABCA Podcast by American Baseball Coaches Association

ABCA Podcast

430 Listeners

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von by Theo Von

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von

27,989 Listeners

Patrick Jones Baseball by Patrick Jones

Patrick Jones Baseball

271 Listeners

The Jon Gordon Podcast by Jon Gordon

The Jon Gordon Podcast

1,209 Listeners

Baseball Recruiting Confidential by Justin Musil

Baseball Recruiting Confidential

219 Listeners

On Purpose with Jay Shetty by iHeartPodcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

27,584 Listeners

Jochum Strength Podcast by Austin Jochum

Jochum Strength Podcast

43 Listeners

"The Dirt" NFCA Podcast by NFCA

"The Dirt" NFCA Podcast

26 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

29,272 Listeners

Mental Performance Daily with Brian Cain by Brian Cain, MPM

Mental Performance Daily with Brian Cain

447 Listeners

The Book of Joe with Joe Maddon & Tom Verducci by iHeartPodcasts

The Book of Joe with Joe Maddon & Tom Verducci

65 Listeners

Driveline Academy Youth Baseball Podcast by Driveline Academy Podcast

Driveline Academy Youth Baseball Podcast

47 Listeners

MPE Podcast by Motor Preferences Experts

MPE Podcast

9 Listeners