Atlanta Braves’ Jason Heyward increases his stock of home-runs in the season - MLB Update
Right fielder Jason Heyward has smacked home-runs on a consistent basis this year. Right from day one to now, he has been hitting cleanly. The secret behind his success as he admits himself is proper pitch selection. He has not brought a big change in his
strategy which he employed in 2010. Following it throughout this season he has managed striking the reasonable number of home-runs.
Heyward is one of the reasons why the Braves have been so strong offensively. Even in the games when pitchers leaked runs, Heyward has stood up and struck huge home-runs to ensure wins.
In particular in the first half of the season, Braves have relied heavily on their offensive strength to assume an enviable position on the table. Heyward has been one of the forces which kept them afloat in this regard.
Second baseman Dan Uggla points out the role of patience in helping Heyward maintain dominance at the plate. He has never tried to go after the throws. Instead he has been waiting for the right pitches and the best part is that he has hardly ever let loose
throws go unpunished.
“When you’re more selective and you’re taking swings that are better pitches to hit you’re going to have more success,” Uggla said. “And with him being as strong as he is, he doesn’t have to center it up, center cut, and hit it perfect for it to go out of
the ballpark. He can get jammed a little bit, catch it a little bit off the end, and he can go from foul pole to foul pole.”
Such a strategy has permitted him to use his force to full potential. He looks for the appropriate at-bats and by the time anything within his reach comes he immediately jumps on it and then applies his full strength.
His current form can be extremely useful for the Braves in light of the fact that the post-season is around the corner. During the important games ahead, home-runs coming off his bat can be costly for the opponents to the extent of leading to their exit
from the season.
The Braves will be hoping to see him continue striking home-runs throughout the season.
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