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A Change Is Gonna Come
2008-09-11 23:47
by Cliff Corcoran

Hitting coach Kevin Long has promised to follow Robinson Cano home to the Dominican this winter and rebuild his swing. He has the technology:

The work there will be extensive and represents a complete overhaul of the infielder's swing.

The promise is of a completely revamped player in advance of Spring Training. Long outlined pieces of his blueprint for Cano by eliminating excess action, while putting him in a better position to hit, squaring up more with the pitcher. Addressing Cano's strike-zone discipline is also high on the to-do list.

"You're going to see a huge difference visually," Long said. "You'll see less movement, an explosive, compact swing, and you'll probably see more home runs. I think his average will go way up and I think his walks will go way up."

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch as the story.

Comments
2008-09-12 04:11:23
1.   bp1
Not even the end of September and the coaches have the optimism of the off season, where everything is fresh and new and in front of them.
2008-09-12 04:19:18
2.   williamnyy23
My first response to seeing that story yesterday was very positive, but now I really wonder about teaching a 4-year veteran a completely new swing. The worst case scenario would be if this was only a fluke off season. Then, instead of having Cano (who is still young and therefore should be able to succeed with the same approach) rebound, the confusion of relearning how to hit could lead to another subpar season. Of course, the best case scenario is Cano refines his mechanics, learns better pitch selection and really does become Rod Carew. I guess it's worth the risk, but I think Long and the Yankees have to be very careful here. I kind of wish the Yankees could get Carew to work with Cano, because I am not sure how powerful a voice Kevin Long will have. He really doesn't have a track record as either a hitting coach or a player, so why would someone like Cano buy into his advice?
2008-09-12 05:22:31
3.   ny2ca2dc
2 ARod sure seems to like him, maybe Cano has picked up on that. Seems like a pretty good endorsement.
2008-09-12 06:29:23
4.   murphy
this concerns me a great deal. cano is a great natural hitter who has been horrendous in terms of pitch selection this year. rather than rebuild the one part of his game that no one ever doubted, let's, instead, look at things that have been CONSISTENT holes in his game and fix those. barry zito has been screwing around with his delivery for years and look where that's gotten him. ugh.
2008-09-12 06:33:38
5.   Rob Middletown CT
1. I'll believe this "rebuilt" swing when I see it.

2. Not so sure it's a good idea.

2008-09-12 08:43:35
6.   Schteeve
why are we opposed to tinkering with Cano's .299 OBP producing offensive approach? The only question I have is, why didn't they do it in April.
2008-09-12 09:56:51
7.   cult of basebaal
4 cano has an elaborate timing mechanism. when it's perfect, he's perfect ... when it's off, he's shiite. his wretched batting eye is a completely different issue ...
2008-09-12 10:06:19
8.   Chyll Will
Cliff, the story link is linking to the Yahoo sign-in page?

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