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Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 14:35 pm
by ClassicO
I've posted before about the ridiculous batting stance Walker uses. The "big change" was supposed to be in evidence last night with his stance moving less open and closer to the plate. It wasn't a success, and these screenshots from the game help explain why.
Still too far off the plate. Still too straight up erect.
Almost all other good hitters who were big men are closer to the plate and in a crouch. I've posted pics of Winfield, Judge, etc. They have significant crouches and are closer to the plate. The Cards' best hitters - Contreras and Herrera (and I threw in Sagesse for fun) - are the saem.
Why. Not. Walker?
- Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.21.16 PM.png (72.95 KiB) Viewed 314 times
- Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.22.06 PM.png (71.16 KiB) Viewed 314 times
- Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.25.03 PM.png (121.09 KiB) Viewed 314 times
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 15:34 pm
by blackinkbiz
ClassicO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025 14:35 pm
I've posted before about the ridiculous batting stance Walker uses. The "big change" was supposed to be in evidence last night with his stance moving less open and closer to the plate. It wasn't a success, and these screenshots from the game help explain why.
Still too far off the plate. Still too straight up erect.
Almost all other good hitters who were big men are closer to the plate and in a crouch. I've posted pics of Winfield, Judge, etc. They have significant crouches and are closer to the plate. The Cards' best hitters - Contreras and Herrera (and I threw in Sagesse for fun) - are the saem.
Why. Not. Walker?
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.21.16 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.22.06 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.25.03 PM.png
Don't forget Pages. Just recently went to a far more crouched stance and he had a better August than most players in MLB.
Walker was noticeably closer in his first AB last night and then it looked like he backed off a little since he couldn't fully extend his arms on his grounder.
When I hear idiots on the radio say "There's no point in sending him to AAA" I have to wonder what the h*ll they're smoking. AAA is exactly for these types of scenarios: a player trying to revamp his swing and stance for the most effectiveness. I know they can't send him down this season but if he doesn't get this figured out in some sort of Fall Ball then they've got to keep him down next year until he figures this out.
I wouldn't bring him back to MLB without at LEAST one full month (preferably two straight) of .850+ OPS and he shows he can take the offspeed pitches away or even better, be able to hit them the other way.
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 15:41 pm
by okcardfan
Walker's stance needs to be more of a crouch, like so many good hitters. Also closer to the plate. Also wider stance, and parallel to inside chalk line.
Start there. See what happens.
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 15:44 pm
by NYCardsFan
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 16:07 pm
by hmoss859
Two things stick out between Judge and Walker
Walker front foot stride is longer, no bueno
Judge back foot turns, Walker stays parallel, no bueno
Judge hits in a knee bent crouch with strong backload, Walker is straight up with no backside load
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 17:49 pm
by ClassicO
blackinkbiz wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025 15:34 pm
ClassicO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025 14:35 pm
I've posted before about the ridiculous batting stance Walker uses. The "big change" was supposed to be in evidence last night with his stance moving less open and closer to the plate. It wasn't a success, and these screenshots from the game help explain why.
Still too far off the plate. Still too straight up erect.
Almost all other good hitters who were big men are closer to the plate and in a crouch. I've posted pics of Winfield, Judge, etc. They have significant crouches and are closer to the plate. The Cards' best hitters - Contreras and Herrera (and I threw in Sagesse for fun) - are the saem.
Why. Not. Walker?
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.21.16 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.22.06 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.25.03 PM.png
Don't forget Pages. Just recently went to a far more crouched stance and he had a better August than most players in MLB.
Walker was noticeably closer in his first AB last night and then it looked like he backed off a little since he couldn't fully extend his arms on his grounder.
When I hear idiots on the radio say "There's no point in sending him to AAA" I have to wonder what the h*ll they're smoking. AAA is exactly for these types of scenarios: a player trying to revamp his swing and stance for the most effectiveness. I know they can't send him down this season but if he doesn't get this figured out in some sort of Fall Ball then they've got to keep him down next year until he figures this out.
I wouldn't bring him back to MLB without at LEAST one full month (preferably two straight) of .850+ OPS and he shows he can take the offspeed pitches away or even better, be able to hit them the other way.
I agree with you on AAA. Most don't remember that in 549 career PAs at AAA, he'(poop) .257/.331/.414/.745 with 13 HR and 58 RBI. He was far more successful at A (.839 OPS) and AA (.879 OPS).
Until he lights it up there, he shouldn't be here.
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 18:22 pm
by ClassicO
hmoss859 wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025 16:07 pm
Two things stick out between Judge and Walker
Walker front foot stride is longer, no bueno
Judge back foot turns, Walker stays parallel, no bueno
Judge hits in a knee bent crouch with strong backload, Walker is straight up with no backside load
Slow-Mo Video of Judge stance and swing - NOTHING like Walker's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqdlYBRs11s
Photo of Judge before he starts movement and as he starts his stride
- Judge .png (89.85 KiB) Viewed 146 times
- Judge stance.png (100.02 KiB) Viewed 146 times
Re: Compare Walker's "new stance" with teammates = still too far off the plate
Posted: 04 Sep 2025 19:04 pm
by ecleme22
ClassicO wrote: ↑04 Sep 2025 14:35 pm
I've posted before about the ridiculous batting stance Walker uses. The "big change" was supposed to be in evidence last night with his stance moving less open and closer to the plate. It wasn't a success, and these screenshots from the game help explain why.
Still too far off the plate. Still too straight up erect.
Almost all other good hitters who were big men are closer to the plate and in a crouch. I've posted pics of Winfield, Judge, etc. They have significant crouches and are closer to the plate. The Cards' best hitters - Contreras and Herrera (and I threw in Sagesse for fun) - are the saem.
Why. Not. Walker?
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.21.16 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.22.06 PM.png
Screenshot 2025-09-04 at 2.25.03 PM.png
We should compare him from previous games.