For SF Giants’ Matos, refined mechanics, approach fueling hot streak

ST LOUIS The Giants have transformed into an offensive juggernaut over the last two weeks and Luis Matos has had no small role in that success Since being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug Matos is hitting with three home runs eight RBIs and runs scored over games In his fourth challenge back Matos led the Giants to a win over the Milwaukee Brewers by hitting a two-run homer in the second then scoring the go-ahead run on a single by Heliot Ramos in the ninth Matos made the Opening Day roster but has spent the bulk of the season as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching behind Mike Yastrzemski On two occasions he s been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento With Yastrzemski traded to the Royals at the deadline Matos is capitalizing on his first extended run of playing time this season It s a hot streak that s been a product of his own willingness to change I was having issues with my timing Matos explained through unit interpreter Erwin Higueros so I decided to change my whole approach and start from zero One tweak Matos made was moving up in the batter s box to be closer to the pitchers which he believes allows him to capitalize on middle-inside pitches Matos was inches behind the front edge of home plate in July but in September he s moved up to inches Matos has also significantly widened his base In July his feet were inches apart on average In September that distance has expanded to inches It was done to use my legs to be faster with my hands Matos reported When I wasn t playing as often I was having problems with that I realized that spreading my legs was going to help me more with getting to the ball faster The preponderance substantial tweak that Matos made was the adaption of a permanent two-strike approach Early in the season there was a clear difference in Matos stride before two strikes compared to with two strikes Here s an at-bat by Matos back on March his first meeting of the season The first clip is with the count at - while the second clip is with the count at - Notice that there is a more pronounced leg lift when Matos has one strike compared to two strikes https sporty-clips mlb com bGJNTUJfQjFOTUJnVkFFbGRmRlJGYkFraENXRk SX JnVUFBVmNBVUFZQUFWY ZVZ FIVXdKV FGa XMVFBQTFBTUNRTU BMWNBQVZRSA mp https sporty-clips mlb com bGJNTUJfQjFOTUJnVkFFbGRmRlJGYkFraENXRk SX JnRllBRkZXVndFQUR UlRWUUFIQ ZKZkFGa dBbGdBVUFSVUFRSUZWd BRQkFKVA mp Now here s an at-bat by Matos on Sept a night where Matos singled and drew a walk The first clip is with the count at - the second with the count being at - Along with a noticeably wider stance Matos keeps his stride short from the beginning of the plate appearance and doesn t alter his stride once he gets to two strikes https sporty-clips mlb com Uk ya FfQjFOTUJnVkFFbGRmRlJGYkFraENXRk SX FWVlVWbFJWQlZRQURBY VCQUFIQVE VEFGa FVd VBQTFRQUFnY NVd BkQTFCUg mp https sporty-clips mlb com Uk ya FfQjFOTUJnVkFFbGRmRlJGYkFraENXRk SX RnWllVQUFEVWxFQVhWTldYd FIQVE REFGZ ZWRmtBQkFGV ZBSUdBQVpYVmdOVw mp Luis has a tremendous feel for what he s doing in a time where we ve lost that a little bit stated hitting coach Pat Burrell It s become so mechanical and metric driven a lot of times Then you have a natural swinger with a baseball bat in Luis I m at the point with him where I just trust him and that s crazy because he s but I go Look you know how to hit You ve consistently hit I love what you do ' Added manager Bob Melvin He s spread out a little bit more even more with two strikes just trying to take a lot of the movement out commented manager Bob Melvin He s got quick hands so it allows him to wait a little bit longer and lay of pitches out of the zone I think getting to play quite a bit also is helping him as well He s made particular adjustments and it s working for him Matos sample size is far too small to make any definitive assessments but this is unquestionably the best that Matos has looked all season He s raised his OPS on the season from to over this -game stretch and he ll likely be a mainstay in the Giants starting lineups throughout September It s nice to see him get various length here and get specific opportunity I think he s doing a hell of a job with it Burrell explained He s and he s still learning When I was I was in Double-A He s been up and down for three years that doesn t go unnoticed He s a very mature young man but in terms of major-league at-bats he s still pretty green But I think he s working in the right direction In fact I know he is