re: For the critics, define “approach at the plate”

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Here’s what I’m referring to, quote off the net;
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From J.D. Martinez to Josh Donaldson, hitters throughout the big leagues have been honing a new approach at the plate, hunting for big flies and eschewing worm burners. It’s a change rooted in the latest metrics, which say balls hit in the air tend to be more valuable than grounders — particularly since the home run surge of 2015 started turning a higher percentage of fly balls into home runs than ever. So, over the last two years, batters have adjusted their swings accordingly, sending ever more balls skyward.

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You're definitely not wrong. I'm sure their are hitting coaches who focus on that and know that the analysis points to it. I'm just saying that some people focus on it more than others. Here in TX, select ball is filled with ex-MLB/ex-minor league guys. My son's last coach was in the Pirates org for years and he focused on teaching a "nike swoosh swing".

Current hitting coach has never once brought that up and you'll hear him say over and over that the results will come with proper hand path. He will also tell his players if you don't have consistent HR power you better learn quick to drive it in the gap - but the swing doesn't necessarily change.

I have zero expectations of my kid playing at a higher level, but I am fortunate to be in a position to afford him the best of coaching and the science of hitting has definitely changed from when I played. And I would think that since he is 12 and is coached on plate discipline that our Tigers should be taught the same.