(670 The Score) It has been decades since being an MLB hitting instructor has been such a difficult trade.
MLB's combined .236 batting average through the end of May was the lowest mark in the game since 1968. The changing dynamics of the game have left those like Cubs hitting coach Anthony Iapoce searching for answers and sharing their opinions.
"I have chapters in mind what we can do to help the offense," Iapoce said. "I would love to see those shifts moved over again. You get tired of watching left-handed hitters line out to the short right-center field. Our guy hits it 100 miles per hour and Kolten Wong or Jose Altuve is out there catching these well-hit balls. How many times has Anthony Rizzo ripped a line drive down the right-field line and Wong makes the play in the outfield?"
Iapoce feels for hitters who take the proper approach to the plate and have nothing to show for it because they hit into a perfectly aligned shift or have no chance to adjust on the fly to the overpowering velocity in the game these days.
"We need to find a way to keep the infielders on the infield and outfielders in the outfield," he said. "With the velocity of the fastball and the movement of the breaking ball down, it's really tough for a hitter to cover both. Maybe lowering the strike zone a little bit would help. I think if you start by keeping the defenders in a normal position – it's not like hitters don't want to hit singles. But when the ball is coming in at 95-100 miles per hour and he misses a pitch right down the middle fouling it off because he is late on the swing, it makes him pretty upset about their approach. If the guy is throwing 90-92, the hitter can scoop a ball and get a hit the other way."
Iapoce noted it's mentally tough on all hitters, including the stars like Cubs infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant.
"You see the shift being used on right-handed hitters like KB," Iapoce said. "He can smoke a line drive up the middle and a shortstop or the second baseman is there to make the catch. You then try to rewire your brain about how to get a base hit, and that mentally wears the hitter down. Those are two things – the strike zone and shifting can be adjusted for more hitting. Once you stop moving guys on the infield around, there will be more holes. MLB players love singles, doubles, triples and homers. They love hits."
While he has plenty of ideas to tilt the equation back in the hitters' favor, Iapoce wouldn't go so far as to say it's too hard of a challenge these days. It's just a big one.
"I just think it's a challenging job," Iapoce said. "We just look at our jobs as a team of coaches now working together with all the content we get from the R&D people as well. It's a collective group of guys in this position. We try to stay out of their way and still help them to be confident. If the league averages are down, most likely your players are as well. You just try and go from there."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
