"When the Washington Nationals' new hitting coaches took over this past offseason, they held a meeting with each player. Their goal for center fielder Jacob Young was increased bat speed, which they hoped would help him tap into more power. So far, the message seems to have gotten through. Young is swinging the bat harder, and on Friday, his home run proved to be decisive in a 3-2 series-opening victory against the Miami Marlins."
"Entering Friday, Young's bat speed had increased from 68.3 mph last year to 69.8 mph this year. It's still below the MLB average of 71.7 mph, but it has had the intended result: The home run off Snelling was his third of the year, already tying his career high. "Every day you go to the field, your swing is a little different," Young said on the Nationals broadcast."
"All of the scoring came in the first inning. Left-hander Robby Snelling, the Marlins' No. 2 prospect, was making his MLB debut. The Nationals gave him a rude welcome: Curtis Mead hit a double, and CJ Abrams drove him in with a 104.7-mph single. Then Young connected on a fastball, sending it 403 feet into the left-field bleachers."
""Just being able to adjust to that and understand that there is production in there and just finding different ways to get it out. When it happens on big swings like that, it definitely makes it all worth it." Snelling settled down after the early jitters, scattering two hits and four walks over the next four innings."
Nationals hitting coaches met with each player during the offseason, focusing on increased bat speed for center fielder Jacob Young to unlock more power. In a 3-2 series-opening win over the Miami Marlins, Young hit a 403-foot home run that proved decisive. The game’s scoring occurred in the first inning, with Curtis Mead doubling and CJ Abrams driving in a run on a 104.7-mph single. Young’s home run came off Marlins left-hander Robby Snelling in his MLB debut. Young’s bat speed rose from 68.3 mph last year to 69.8 mph this year, still below the MLB average, but producing power results, including his third home run of the season. Snelling later settled down after early trouble.
Read at The Washington Post
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