What do you think about this swing? People are always asking for a perfect swing, I'll chime into what I like about this swing.
Looking at swings a little differently now - Bottom hand or top hand hitters (as explained by a Japanese fellow on twitter). McCutchen looks to be a bottom hand hitter. Lots of forward momentum. More like the old time hitters. Also - I like the way his coil turns the rear knee back and helps open the rear hip joint (stretch) so it can then contract (close) more forcefully. All of this to help hitters find their more natural path instead of insisting they hit a certain way.
Compare to a top hand hitter like Trout - McCutchen's front scap really gets stretched away from his spine compared to Trout setting up the bottom hand pull. Also compare the barrel turns. Which one looks sharper?
Looking at swings a little differently now - Bottom hand or top hand hitters (as explained by a Japanese fellow on twitter). McCutchen looks to be a bottom hand hitter. Lots of forward momentum. More like the old time hitters. Also - I like the way his coil turns the rear knee back and helps open the rear hip joint (stretch) so it can then contract (close) more forcefully. All of this to help hitters find their more natural path instead of insisting they hit a certain way.
Compare to a top hand hitter like Trout - McCutchen's front scap really gets stretched away from his spine compared to Trout setting up the bottom hand pull. Also compare the barrel turns. Which one looks sharper?
The open stance is a loading technique. It has nothing to do with seeing better. It's an loading technique and a good one.