Introduction to Brooks Baldwin’s Season
MINNEAPOLIS — Second-year utilityman Brooks Baldwin had lost who he was as a hitter when the White Sox optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on May 21.
The day he was sent down, he was batting .215/.257/.311 with a .588 OPS, consumed with extra-base hits and chasing more than he ever had in his career.
“I’m not a guy that’s gonna hit for a lot of power,” he told the Sun-Times. “I’ve got the power in there. But if I put bat to ball, the power will come. I went back to try to put the ball in play hard on the line.”
Baldwin said he’d been too fixated on trying to pull the ball in the air that he wasn’t making the pitcher work. In May, he was striking out 26.9% of the time and walking just 5.8% of the time with a wRC+ of 24 — far below the league average of 100.
The Turning Point: Demotion to Triple-A
The demotion was a chance to rediscover himself. He started by reverting to the wider batting stance he used in college at UNC Wilmington, which allowed him to keep his eyes still because his head wasn’t moving as much.
“Early in the year, I was tall and upright,” he said. “[My] feet were close together to start.”
The adjusted stance, which Baldwin has used since being recalled in July, has paid dividends. Entering Thursday’s series finale against the Twins, he was batting .287/.346/.484 with a 130 wRC+ since July 1.
Improvement in Performance
“[Baldwin] can do damage and get to balls at the top of the zone,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “You still see the swings above the zone, which is fine.”
Baldwin, lauded for his defensive versatility, has made 27 starts in left field, 14 in center field and 10 each in right field and at third base — but the results haven’t yet been great. He grades out negatively, according to Baseball Savant’s fielding run value (-10).
A prolonged stretch of consistent play has helped on offense, however, as has being more selective with pitches in the heart of the zone. Entering Thursday, he was seeing 3.82 pitches per plate appearance, 0.30 more than last season.
Selectivity and Consistency
“[Baldwin] does a really nice job with the chase below the zone,” Venable said. “[We] saw that [Wednesday] night with the walk where he took a really close pitch below. [He’s] having more consistent at-bats where he’s making good swing decisions.”
Baldwin still has a propensity to chase above the zone — he hit a ninth-inning single Wednesday on a 91.6 mph cutter outside of the zone — but he’s overall working himself into more advantageous counts.
“He’s been doing really well — it’s just learning,” left fielder Andrew Benintendi said. “The longer you play, the more you’re going to learn. He’s dangerous in the box.”
Conclusion
Brooks Baldwin’s stint in Triple-A Charlotte was a turning point in his season. By reverting to his college batting stance and being more selective with pitches, he has improved his performance significantly since being recalled in July. His ability to make consistent contact and work himself into advantageous counts has made him a more dangerous hitter. While there is still room for improvement, particularly in his defensive play, Baldwin’s turnaround is a positive sign for the White Sox.
FAQs
Q: What was Brooks Baldwin’s batting average before being sent to Triple-A?
A: .215/.257/.311 with a .588 OPS.
Q: What change did Baldwin make to his batting stance in Triple-A?
A: He reverted to a wider batting stance he used in college, which allowed him to keep his eyes still.
Q: How has Baldwin’s performance improved since being recalled in July?
A: He is batting .287/.346/.484 with a 130 wRC+ since July 1.
Q: What is Baldwin’s defensive versatility like?
A: He has made starts in left field, center field, right field, and at third base, but grades out negatively according to Baseball Savant’s fielding run value.
Q: What is the key to Baldwin’s improved performance?
A: Being more selective with pitches and working himself into advantageous counts.
