LSU softball analysis hitter by hitter

Lsu softball player by player batting analysis


Simmons-- Possibly the best eye for the ball on the team along with Jaquish, Simmons usually keeps her average in the low 300s, which is pretty good. Her problem, though, is in her mechanics. If you watch her practice-swing before she gets up to the plate, she has it right, but once it comes time to bat, she abandons that practice-swing and when she swings, she first dips the bat back, and then pulls-pushes the bat through the strike zone. This is why when she is at mid point of her swing, she looks like she is swinging a telephone pole and she is actually moving first away then back from the ball. Watch her. This would require a total revamp of her mechanics and swing. Being a senior, they might just let her be and let her finish as she is, which is still pretty good. She is a great asset to the team.

Landry—a pretty good eye for the ball, but she seems too eager for a walk, and lets the first strike go by instead of jumping on it. She often finds herself working behind on the count, and this is why her strikeout count has soared. If I was her coach I'd get her to completely cleanse her mind of slapper mentality. Landry often looks like a football receive who is trying to run before he catches the ball. She is worried about getting a jump on the felders . Most players have a safe spot they go to when behind on the count,,maybe taking a little speed off their swing, choking up on the bat, or crouching a little bit more. Landry would be better off planting herself and focusing on contact rather than trying to slap the ball when she has two strikes on her. Griggs does the same thing. When Landry does plant and swing, her swing is too short, too abrupt, and even when she is planting, she looks like she has her mind still on getting down the first base line. The girl has so much potential, its just hard to watch her this year. Hope she gets it all straight, because she is one their stars.

Bell—a really wide open stance, really, and she is so wide open that it looks like when she goes to take a step-in toward the ball, she has to put forth a little effort to lift her front foot. Her swing is more like a slice. Not a lot wrong with her, she has been an amazing asset to the team, and I believe she will get it all straightened out.

Jaquish—Her only problem is pitch selection. She also watches the first strike go by and then later, with a new pitcher, she will get up and swing at the first pitch,even though she has never seen the pitcher before. Great, great eye for the ball. Not a lot wrong with her or her mechanics. Definitely one of the best hitters in the country

Kloss—Kloss is not terribly athletic to begin with, but her swing is decent. She swings at bad pitches a little too often. She could be a smarter batter, but, mechanics wise, she is ok. I don't think I'd change much about her hitting if I was a coach.

Quinn- her problem is she starts her swing at the last second and this is why she hits to the opposite field so often. The problem is that's going to especially hurt her when you have a three speed pitcher. She has a good eye for the ball, but they need to do something with her swing, maybe get her to start it sooner.

Serret—just a freshman, but she doesnt have a lot wrong with her. She cannot hit a low and inside switch, and she often strikes out trying. Give her time. Next year she is going to do better than .350 rest assured.

Thornhill—Great batting stance, but she does not come in over the top and swing, instead stopping out far and dropping her back shoulder. Like Landry, her swing does not plateau long enough as it goes thru the strike zone. It looks more like a dip, like Bourg does, and it's really hard to be a consistent hitter with that kind of swing.

Griggs-- probably the most troubled hitter right now, along with Landry. She, too, has a mentality issue, the same one so many slappers have, that, if they dont get a good jump on the field toward first base, it doesnt matter whether they hit the ball or not. I'd bench her, to be honest, if she couldn't plant her feet and swing the bat. I know she can. Her swing is not bad at all, its the fact that she wants to get down the first base line to get a jump, and most of her strikes outs are when she is trying to slap and just ends up looking way, way off. She can do better, and I hope she gets back on track soon,

The slappers are going to have a harder time when it comes to regionals and super-regionals. Years ago Raven Chevanne was hitting .430 or so when they started in the world series. I think she was 1-14 or something, and she is such a great player, but there are left handers like Ricketts and Wagner, and they are really rough on slappers.

The teams that usually win may have a slapper or two, but they are basically swing away teams. Michigan is always there for the reason. Florida is up there to for that reason. Their occasional home run hitters always seem to come through.

Slapping is ok, but there are times when that whole style and mentality has to be abandoned and a hitter must stand and swing away. If they can't do that, sit them down and throw someone out there that can.