Salil Shoemaker

Salil,

Your infield skills show great promise, particularly in your movement and footwork. Your agility and quickness on the field are impressive, allowing you to cover ground efficiently and get to balls that many players your age might struggle with. These natural athletic abilities provide an excellent foundation for your development as an infielder.

However, there are a couple of areas where you can focus your efforts to become an even more effective defensive player. First, it's important to work on eliminating the habit of flipping your glove during fielding. While this might feel natural, it can lead to inconsistency in your catches and potentially cause errors. Instead, try to keep your glove steady and present a consistent target for the ball. Practice fielding drills that emphasize keeping your glove in position throughout the entire fielding motion.

Additionally, when fielding backhand grounders, avoid stabbing at the ball. This approach can lead to missed plays and reduced control. Instead, focus on getting your body behind the ball, creating a wide base with your feet, and using a smooth, controlled motion to field the ball. Work on drills that emphasize proper backhand technique, gradually increasing the speed and difficulty as you improve. With dedicated practice in these areas, you'll be able to combine your natural talents with refined technique, making you an even more formidable infielder.

Outfield - Glove to Release:

Salil, your outfield play shows promise, but there's an important area for improvement in your throwing mechanics. Currently, you're short-arming the ball during your release, which can limit your throwing power and accuracy. This technique, while it may feel natural to you, is actually hindering your ability to make strong, precise throws from the outfield.

To address this, focus on extending your arm fully during your throwing motion. A full arm extension will allow you to generate more power from your shoulder and utilize the full length of your arm as a lever. This will not only increase your throwing distance but also improve your accuracy and consistency. Practice this extended motion slowly at first, emphasizing the feeling of your arm straightening out completely before release. As you become more comfortable, gradually increase your throwing speed while maintaining this extended form.

Incorporating specific drills into your practice routine can help reinforce this improved technique. Try the 'wall drill,' where you stand sideways to a wall and practice your throwing motion, focusing on touching the wall with your hand at full extension. Another effective exercise is the 'towel drill,' where you simulate your throwing motion with a towel, concentrating on snapping it at full extension. Remember, developing this new habit will take time and repetition, but the improvements in your outfield play will be significant. Keep working hard, Salil, and you'll see great progress in your defensive game.

Salil,

Your swing demonstrates impressive strength and fluidity through the hitting zone, which is a solid foundation for your offensive game. The power you generate in your swing is evident, and it's clear you've put in significant work to develop this aspect of your hitting. This strength will serve you well as you continue to face more challenging pitching.

However, there's an opportunity to refine your swing path to maximize your potential. Currently, your swing tends to be too parallel to the ground, which can limit your ability to drive the ball with optimal launch angle and distance. To address this, focus on adjusting your swing plane to create a slightly upward trajectory. This adjustment will help you make contact with the bottom half of the ball more consistently, generating the backspin necessary for increased carry and power.

To improve, work on extending your arms more fully through the hitting zone, as if you're trying to reach out and "punch" the pitcher. This extension will help you maintain bat speed deeper into the zone and promote better backspin on contact. Practice drills that emphasize finishing your swing with your hands high and extended towards the pitcher. With these adjustments, you'll be able to combine your existing swing strength with improved mechanics, potentially leading to more extra-base hits and overall offensive production.