From Mlb · · 1m
Walcott's swing change boosts Fall League success
Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott's swing adjustment yields first homer in Arizona Fall League.
In brief
Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott's swing adjustment yields first homer in Arizona Fall League. Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott hit his first home run in the Arizona Fall League after adjusting his swing to improve hitting. Originally reported by Mlb.
Walcott's first homer
Sebastian Walcott hit his first home run in the Arizona Fall League after adjusting his swing.
“It means a lot. I'm not trying to go up there and do too much. I'm trying to simplify everything. I got a pitch to hit and put a decent swing on it.”
Swing adjustment details
Walcott changed his bat angle and stayed behind the baseball to elevate the ball more easily.
“Change the bat angle, stay behind the baseball more, that really makes elevating the ball a little easier for me.”
Pre-surgery impact
Walcott missed time due to preseason internal brace surgery but adjusted his swing during recovery.
“I spent days figuring out how he did his and kind of redefined it to myself.”
Performance improvements
Walcott's groundball rate dropped from 46 percent to 33.9 percent while his line-drive rate rose from 22.9 percent to 33.9 percent.
“His slugging percentage similarly jumped from .386 to .590, and his isolated slugging percentage rose from .131 to .265.”
Fall League results
Walcott has multiple hits in three of his first five Fall League contests with a .300/.375/.500 line.
“I've worked on it for such a long time, that everything feels completely natural.”
Future potential
Walcott's swing adjustment could lead to early major league call-up despite being only 20 years old.
“I'm a ballplayer. I can do it all. ... I can run, hit, steal. Whatever you need me to do, I can do.”
Here's the gist
Rangers prospect Sebastian Walcott hit his first home run in the Arizona Fall League after adjusting his swing to improve hitting.
