Brayden Rubenstein

Hitting Evaluation for Brayden Rubenstein:

Brayden, your swing demonstrates impressive qualities that provide a solid foundation for your hitting mechanics. Your natural ability to generate a fluid and effective swing is evident, and it's clear that you've put in significant work to develop your technique. The power and consistency you're able to generate are noteworthy strengths that will serve you well as you continue to progress in your baseball career.

While your swing is already quite good, there's an opportunity to refine your weight distribution to unlock even more potential. Currently, you tend to shift a bit too much weight onto your back foot during your load phase. This can sometimes lead to unwanted movements like dipping or pulling off the ball, which may result in a loss of power and reduced contact quality. To address this, focus on maintaining a more centered weight distribution throughout your swing. Even as you load back, try to keep your weight balanced more towards the middle of your body. This adjustment will help you stay connected to the ground and allow for a more efficient transfer of energy through the baseball.

To implement this change, practice your swing in front of a mirror or record yourself to visually check your weight distribution. You can also work on drills that emphasize staying balanced, such as hitting off a tee while standing on one leg or performing soft toss drills with a narrow stance. Remember, the goal is to harness your power more effectively by maintaining a stable core and lower half throughout your swing. With consistent practice and attention to this aspect of your mechanics, you'll likely see improvements in both power and contact quality. Keep up the great work, Brayden – your dedication to refining your craft is evident, and it's exciting to think about how much more you can achieve with these small adjustments.

Brayden, your pitching mechanics show tremendous promise, particularly in your arm path. It's rare to see such a clean and efficient motion at your age, and this is a significant strength that sets you apart from many of your peers. The effortless nature of your delivery, combined with the explosive release, indicates that you have a natural talent for pitching. This fluid arm action not only helps in generating velocity but also reduces the risk of arm injuries, which is crucial for your long-term development as a pitcher.

While your arm path is exemplary, there's an opportunity to enhance your overall pitching mechanics by focusing on your extension at the point of release. Currently, you're maintaining a somewhat upright posture when releasing the ball, which can limit the power and effectiveness of your pitches. To address this, concentrate on extending your body further out in front upon release. This extension will allow you to leverage your entire kinetic chain more effectively, potentially increasing both your velocity and the movement on your pitches. The towel drill, as suggested, is an excellent tool to help you feel and internalize this extended position. Practice this drill regularly, focusing on reaching out further while maintaining the firmness in your front side.

By improving your extension, you'll likely see an increase in your stride length as well. A longer stride, when properly executed, can contribute to increased velocity and improved command. As you work on these adjustments, pay attention to how they affect your balance and control. Remember, the goal is to find the optimal combination of power and precision. Continue to build on your strengths, particularly your exceptional arm path, while refining these aspects of your delivery. With your natural talent and a focused approach to improvement, you have the potential to develop into a highly effective pitcher. Keep up the great work, Brayden!