STLtoday.com

Informative piece explaining what Brant Brown , Cards hitting coach , is doing with various Cardinal players. In Scott's case, it is VS II becoming
what Brownie calls a 'hit collector'

https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-offe ... over-twins


Brownie's overall philosophy is 'there is a time to slug and a time to hit ' has been his theme since Spring Training. It is starting to pay off

This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

You hit the nail on the head . Differentiating instruction for the individual is the key. If you are a golfer , you may have heard of Harvey Penick , golf instructor from Texas, who taught both Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite. He gave individual lessons to both and would not allow one young player within earshot while working with the other player. Kite in an interview once said 'I never realized why Harvey never let me watch him giving his lesson to Ben til later in my adult pro career . It was because Ben had different moves in his swing than me. For instance, Crenshaw on backswing had his left heel come off the ground where my left heel never lifted up off the ground
At a clinic with Harvey, someone asked him .. Harvey , should my left heel come up on the backswing ? Harvey's reply If the heel wants to come up naturally , let it ! So there is no one right way to do things. It's what works for your body .. same in baseball swing

ramfandan wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:55 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

You hit the nail on the head . Differentiating instruction for the individual is the key. If you are a golfer , you may have heard of Harvey Penick , golf instructor from Texas, who taught both Ben Crenshaw and Tom Kite. He gave individual lessons to both and would not allow one young player within earshot while working with the other player. Kite in an interview once said 'I never realized why Harvey never let me watch him giving his lesson to Ben til later in my adult pro career . It was because Ben had different moves in his swing than me. For instance, Crenshaw on backswing had his left heel come off the ground where my left heel never lifted up off the ground
At a clinic with Harvey, someone asked him .. Harvey , should my left heel come up on the backswing ? Harvey's reply If the heel wants to come up naturally , let it ! So there is no one right way to do things. It's what works for your body .. same in baseball swing

Penick reference nicely done!

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

The irony is that MLB players would ever need a hitting coach to tell them something every knowledgeable fan has known for decades.
But, we all know the reason for that.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:02 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

We saw the same thing, I posted these in another thread:

-2nd fewest team strikeouts in MLB
-2nd most total team hits (given equal games played)
-2nd in OB% w/two strikes
-two out hit success
-.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP
-.323 .405 .645 1.050 w/RiSP (for you BDog)

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:05 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:02 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

We saw the same thing, I posted these in another thread:

-2nd fewest team strikeouts in MLB
-2nd most total team hits (given equal games played)
-2nd in OB% w/two strikes
-two out hit success
-.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP
-.323 .405 .645 1.050 w/RiSP (for you BDog)

Yep, it was definitely great signs. I was curious how we would handle our first game where we didn’t score first and I got the answer yesterday.

This next series will be an interesting tell I think. Team is riding high and we face 2 LHP’s and our nemesis Kyle Hendricks. I am hopeful that we at least take 2 of 3 from the Angels though. A 5-1 home stand heading into Boston would be great.

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:08 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:05 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:02 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

We saw the same thing, I posted these in another thread:

-2nd fewest team strikeouts in MLB
-2nd most total team hits (given equal games played)
-2nd in OB% w/two strikes
-two out hit success
-.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP
-.323 .405 .645 1.050 w/RiSP (for you BDog)

Yep, it was definitely great signs. I was curious how we would handle our first game where we didn’t score first and I got the answer yesterday.

This next series will be an interesting tell I think. Team is riding high and we face 2 LHP’s and our nemesis Kyle Hendricks. I am hopeful that we at least take 2 of 3 from the Angels though. A 5-1 home stand heading into Boston would be great.

One thing we all know is that the run production witnessed in the first 3 games will not continue long term. MLB teams do NOT average 6+ runs per game for the season. In fact, only 3 of 30 teams last year averaged 5+ runs per game (Ariz. /NYY/ LAD ) .
So expect the Cards run production to settle back down in a bit .. a couple scoreless outings or scoring 1 run will happen too.
Nice start ! Just hope some don't expect 5, 5, & 9 run games to continue . It won't !

ramfandan wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:25 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:08 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:05 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:02 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

We saw the same thing, I posted these in another thread:

-2nd fewest team strikeouts in MLB
-2nd most total team hits (given equal games played)
-2nd in OB% w/two strikes
-two out hit success
-.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP
-.323 .405 .645 1.050 w/RiSP (for you BDog)

Yep, it was definitely great signs. I was curious how we would handle our first game where we didn’t score first and I got the answer yesterday.

This next series will be an interesting tell I think. Team is riding high and we face 2 LHP’s and our nemesis Kyle Hendricks. I am hopeful that we at least take 2 of 3 from the Angels though. A 5-1 home stand heading into Boston would be great.

One thing we all know is that the run production witnessed in the first 3 games will not continue long term. MLB teams do NOT average 6+ runs per game for the season. In fact, only 3 of 30 teams last year averaged 5+ runs per game (Ariz. /NYY/ LAD ) .
So expect the Cards run production to settle back down in a bit .. a couple scoreless outings or scoring 1 run will happen too.
Nice start ! Just hope some don't expect 5, 5, & 9 run games to continue . It won't !

We'll definitely be due for some regression. All the same, I'm glad we're hitting against a pretty good staff. And early, too. I think Brown's got them in with a good plan, and the young guys are looking to prove themselves. We're going to hit our bumps, but this early outburst has shown that we CAN hit. And that's important.

For years many of us on here have been talking about getting back to hitting basics. Two strike approach, hit it where it is pitched, don't hunt dingers except in a really favorable count, etc... With ducks on the pond and two strikes, take the opposite field single and plate the run. With a guy on third and less than two outs, get the freaking ball out of the infield. Just get the run home. The homers come when they come, but hunting them on every pitch is downright stupid. You always saw guys like Nado and Gorman get out of slumps by hitting a few up the middle or oppo. So far it has been refreshing to see the entire team mostly adopt this approach. I saw WC hit a nice line drive yesterday. Even though it was caught, maybe he will come around shortly. Let's hope the team hitting approach continues. It is a long season, but if the team approach is to put the ball in play more than hunt dingers, they will score a lot more runs. Repeat after me, two strike approach, two strike approach, two strike approach

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:08 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:05 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 09:02 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:55 am

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:51 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 08:43 am

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑31 Mar 2025 07:40 am This is VERY refreshing. Especially betting on a home run being a pretty bad bet. It's the most efficient way to score, but it's one of the harder ways to score. Get your knocks, and let the chips fall where they may.

Also seems to be differentiating his instruction. Ward felt like a one size fits all type of guy.

+1

Love his "slug when it's called for in the count, hit when it's not"

(Hit meaning cut down on the swing, put the ball in play and find a hole!)

Loved all of the line drives we saw over the weekend and all over the field, too!

B. Brown couldn't ask for better results this weekend, even guys off the bench (Gorman/Pages) killed it.

Yep, just posted in another thread, but we had a 16.8% K rate offensively vs a pitching staff that was 2nd best in K/9 last year. That’s a pretty darn good start.

Of the teams with 3 games played (17 teams), they rank

Runs: T-2nd
Hits: T-2nd
1B: T-4th
2B: 1st
HR: T-3rd
SB: T-3rd

We saw the same thing, I posted these in another thread:

-2nd fewest team strikeouts in MLB
-2nd most total team hits (given equal games played)
-2nd in OB% w/two strikes
-two out hit success
-.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP
-.323 .405 .645 1.050 w/RiSP (for you BDog)

Yep, it was definitely great signs. I was curious how we would handle our first game where we didn’t score first and I got the answer yesterday.

This next series will be an interesting tell I think. Team is riding high and we face 2 LHP’s and our nemesis Kyle Hendricks. I am hopeful that we at least take 2 of 3 from the Angels though. A 5-1 home stand heading into Boston would be great.

Good news, as seen above, their OPS is nearly identical (.910 OPS vs RHP = .900 OPS vs LHP) albet that was against a few RP's and not starters.

And please let's hope that Hendrick's Jinx stayed on the Southside of Chicago!

Only Scott and Brown know what exactly transpired between them so article is fluff. I just like the player Scott is bringing to offense and defense. Granted only 3 games and 3 games vs Twins.

Unless Marmot attempts the smartest manager in MLB brain and revert to the droll station to station, Scott will bring the athleticism and competitiveness to the field this team desperately needs. Not to get to far ahead of ourselves, but Scott, Winn, and Lars could end the "give away" outs when the bottom 3rd & top of order lead off an inning.

Congrats to NA for his production. Hope he keeps it up. IF a W is in this teams top 5 goals they need him.