Walker joins HR derby

[JohnnyMO]

It’s cool for Jordan, a chance to shine on a national stage and boost his brand. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little nervous, though. He has seemed pretty fragile until this year and the derby has messed up a lot of swings. But, if that’s all it takes to break him, he’s probably bound to break anyway.

[Bomber1]

I wish he wouldn't. But I'd like to think if the team was worried about it, they'd intervene.

I doubt the Phillies were worried about Bobby Abreau’s HR Derby appearance in 2005 either:

Pre AS - .955 OPS, 18 HR
Post AS - .787 OPS, 6 HR

He set HR Derby records and won it.

Since the team isn’t going anywhere this year it probably doesn’t matter.

But since so few really care about the derby, I don’t see the appeal of it.

Plus it’s on Netflix. IMO it’s become a nothing burger.

[Futuregm2]

I wish he wouldn't. But I'd like to think if the team was worried about it, they'd intervene.

I doubt the Phillies were worried about Bobby Abreau’s HR Derby appearance in 2005 either:

Pre AS - .955 OPS, 18 HR
Post AS - .787 OPS, 6 HR

He set HR Derby records and won it.

Since the team isn’t going anywhere this year it probably doesn’t matter.

But since so few really care about the derby, I don’t see the appeal of it.

Plus it’s on Netflix. IMO it’s become a nothing burger.

Already talked about this one, Abreu hit 11 of his 24 HRs in one month that season. He was already struggling mightily before the AS break (2 HR over his 117 PAs before the break).

The derby is not going to mess him up anymore than baseball is a hard game and players go through struggles at times.

[Bomber1]

I wish he wouldn't. But I'd like to think if the team was worried about it, they'd intervene.

I doubt the Phillies were worried about Bobby Abreau’s HR Derby appearance in 2005 either:

Pre AS - .955 OPS, 18 HR
Post AS - .787 OPS, 6 HR

He set HR Derby records and won it.

Since the team isn’t going anywhere this year it probably doesn’t matter.

But since so few really care about the derby, I don’t see the appeal of it.

Plus it’s on Netflix. IMO it’s become a nothing burger.

Already talked about this one, Abreu hit 11 of his 24 HRs in one month that season. He was already struggling mightily before the AS break (2 HR over his 117 PAs before the break).

The derby is not going to mess him up anymore than baseball is a hard game and players go through struggles at times.

I hope you’re right, I hope he enjoys himself, but mostly I hope he has a strong second half.

[JuiceCosby]

Goes one of two ways:

First one he comes out in fire to start the second half aka Bobby Abreu

or


Second one is he reverts back into a lost player

[makesnosense]

Bobby Abreu (2005): The most famous example. He hit 18 home runs with a 1.130 OPS in the first half, but after winning the Derby, he hit only 6 home runs with a .795 OPS in the second half.Brandon Inge (2009): After making the All-Star team and participating in the Derby, his batting average and power numbers plummeted.Dan Uggla (2008): Experienced a notable drop-off in production and strikeouts following his Derby appearance.Justin Morneau (2007): Suffered a significant dip in his slugging metrics after participating in the contest

All of those players were more established hitters than Walker.

So in the last 20 years there were approximately 160 participants . And you showed four sucked after. Although it's well understood that the Derby doesn't screw up your stroke you keep fighting the fight.

[Clubmaker2]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

[Futuregm2]

https://www.espn.com/fantasy/baseball/s ... -star-game

[Ozziesfan41]

https://www.espn.com/fantasy/baseball/s ... -star-game

Good article

[Pura Vida]

Per MLB

https://x.com/MLB/status/2075243876386783491

“ Jordan Walker announced on IG he’s bringing his big bat to the
@TMobile
#HRDerby!

Watch live on Netflix, July 13 at 8 pm ET with special coverage beginning at 7 pm ET ”

Scary! For some, it really disrupts their swing. And I don't see an upside, he's playing well.

[Goldfan]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

If this is all it takes to mess up a swing, then I guess fold is destructive. Oh that’s right, these guys golf bookoo times a year. No wonder they can’t hit.

[Goldfan]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

If this is all it takes to mess up a swing, then I guess fold is destructive. Oh that’s right, these guys golf bookoo times a year. No wonder they can’t hit.

I’m not referring to any other MLB player who might be in derby…..exclusively talking about JW. He JUST got on track….I wouldn’t mess with his swing. And yes, TRYING to hit ball out of park is messing with swing. I don’t think he intentionally tries to hit HR during his AB’s.

[JohnnyMO]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

If this is all it takes to mess up a swing, then I guess fold is destructive. Oh that’s right, these guys golf bookoo times a year. No wonder they can’t hit.

I’m not referring to any other MLB player who might be in derby…..exclusively talking about JW. He JUST got on track….I wouldn’t mess with his swing. And yes, TRYING to hit ball out of park is messing with swing. I don’t think he intentionally tries to hit HR during his AB’s.

Do you think he does for part of batting practice every day?

[Goldfan]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

If this is all it takes to mess up a swing, then I guess fold is destructive. Oh that’s right, these guys golf bookoo times a year. No wonder they can’t hit.

I’m not referring to any other MLB player who might be in derby…..exclusively talking about JW. He JUST got on track….I wouldn’t mess with his swing. And yes, TRYING to hit ball out of park is messing with swing. I don’t think he intentionally tries to hit HR during his AB’s.

Do you think he does for part of batting practice every day?

No clue. Has anyone watched him hit BP?

[JohnnyMO]

Bobby Abreu or Josh Hamilton in earlier eras) have noted that the Derby forces hitters to develop bad habits. Because participants try to pull every ball deep at max effort, they often drop their back shoulder or swing for the fences, which disrupts their regular line-drive mechanics.

Exactly, this isn’t batting practice. The balls are being grooved for a HR uppercut swing. This kid just escaped YEARS of being clueless at the MLB level with changes in batting stances, hand position, etc…..he’s been on track for 3months. There is no upside and could screw him up again.

If this is all it takes to mess up a swing, then I guess fold is destructive. Oh that’s right, these guys golf bookoo times a year. No wonder they can’t hit.

I’m not referring to any other MLB player who might be in derby…..exclusively talking about JW. He JUST got on track….I wouldn’t mess with his swing. And yes, TRYING to hit ball out of park is messing with swing. I don’t think he intentionally tries to hit HR during his AB’s.

Do you think he does for part of batting practice every day?

No clue. Has anyone watched him hit BP?

Yes, several times including this season. He does the same thing almost every player does. He takes some the other way, he sprays some around the field, and he launches several out of the park.