Shewmake — The Swing and Approach
At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, I’ve always thought it looks like he’s throwing a lot of knees and elbows at you — meaning he needs more meat on those bones.
But also, he has a tendency to twist himself up and get out on his front foot. Not to be harsh, but it’s not the prettiest of left-handed swings.
It’s always worked for him because of his great hand-eye coordination. He’s typically able to get the bat on the ball.
Braden Shewmake blasts a no-doubter to right, his 9th homer of the season for the @MBraves. pic.twitter.com/RoHV8IxVL4
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 15, 2021
However, after having a K% of around 10 in college, it was all the way up to 20 percent in 2021. That’s not too out of the ordinary as the jump to Double-A is the hardest a professional has to make.
But it is a bit concerning for someone whose biggest tool is the hit tool and his strikeout rate has doubled while his batting average has plummeted.
In the games I watched from 2021, I don’t get a great sense of his approach at the plate. All of his power is to the pull side, but he’ll also slap a single the other way.