Kiner-Falefa finds spark following Sean Casey’s new hitting approach

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BALTIMORE — In the Yankees’ 8-3 victory over the Orioles, Isiah Kiner-Falefa delivered a crucial three-run double in the sixth inning. It showcases the positive impact of the team’s new hitting coach Sean Casey and came a day after the Yankees’ utility man spoke about the beneficial changes the ex-Reds star brought.

Kiner-Falefa’s at-bat was a battle that lasted 29 pitches until he found the pitch he liked. His relentless and well-executed approach earned praise from manager Aaron Boone, who hailed it as “one of the best at-bats of the season.”

Throughout the game, the Yankees utility man displayed his prowess by wearing out the Orioles’ pitching staff with an array of solid at-bats. Ultimately, Kiner-Falefa delivered the decisive blow with a powerful three-run double, effectively breaking open the game at Camden Yards on Saturday night.

The significance of Kiner-Falefa’s double cannot be understated, but equally remarkable was the fact that he fouled off an impressive 12 balls throughout the night, showcasing his determination and resilience at the plate.

“I haven’t been playing much, so I was just trying to see as many pitches as I can,” said Kiner-Falefa. “And after the first at-bat, I felt pretty locked in for the whole day.”

The Sean Casey effect on Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Under the guidance of Sean Casey, the Yankees have been instructed to adopt a new approach, emphasizing the importance of seeing the ball deeper, allowing for more time to make informed decisions on whether to swing.

This adjusted approach, combined with Kiner-Falefa’s focus on being aggressive and aiming to do damage with his hits rather than merely making contact, has already shown promising results.

As the Yankees try to improve their season and aim for more victories, they have been making changes in how they hit the ball. In the past, the Yankees were known for being a team that often hit the ball to the same side of the field (pull-hitting). However, since Sean Casey took over as the hitting coach earlier this month, they have been working on using the entire field more effectively.

In the five games leading up to their recent 1-0 loss against the Orioles, Yankees hitters pulled only 38.5 percent of the balls they put into play. Before that, in the first 97 games of the season under Dillon Lawson’s coaching, they pulled the ball 42.4 percent of the time.

The difference might be small, but it’s noticeable.

However, the Yankees might actually be hitting the ball to the opposite side of the field more often because they are waiting an extra moment before deciding whether to swing their bat.

Kiner-Falefa mentioned that they are trying to see the ball for a longer duration. He also noted that since Sean joined the team, there has been a strong emphasis on the idea of seeing the ball deep and slowing the game down. As a team, they are making an effort to implement this approach more often.

Kiner-Falefa has been very eager to learn and improve. In the first half of the season, as a right-handed utility player, he adjusted his approach at the plate. Instead of focusing on simply making contact, he started swinging harder. During that time, he pulled about 36.9 percent of the balls he hit.

However, in the second half of the season, things changed. He had 15 at-bats up to Friday, and he only hit one ball to the left side. Most of his hits went up the middle (10 times) or toward right field (four times).

These changes have been quite positive, as he achieved an OPS of .721 during this period. Even though Kiner-Falefa didn’t intentionally try to hit up the middle or toward the right side, the results have been encouraging.

The Yankees have been working on observing the pitch for an extra moment, which has led to fewer early swings and a decrease in pulled balls.

Kiner-Falefa regains form

Kiner-Falefa stated that it’s just a little different approach and he is still focused on putting extra power into his swings. According to him, he personally tries to hit the ball to left field, and if it goes to right field, it ends up being hit harder this year rather than just a little flare.

Kiner-Falefa has been making some changes to his hitting this season, and they have been paying off. He’s been hitting the ball into the air more frequently than ever before and has achieved the hardest hits of his career, with an average exit velocity of 88.7 mph. Despite not being known for hitting with much power in the past and usually batting at the bottom of the lineup, Kiner-Falefa has worked his way up to becoming the leadoff hitter for the Yankees on Wednesday. It’s worth noting that the team hasn’t been performing well at the plate, whether under Lawson or Casey’s coaching.

However, as they entered the early days of Casey’s tenure as hitting coach, the approach to hitting appeared somewhat different.

Over the course of his last seven games, Kiner-Falefa has recorded a notable performance, going 4-for-11 with an impressive six walks, resulting in an outstanding .579 on-base percentage.

During the night in question, Kiner-Falefa displayed his improved approach once again, finishing the game 1-for-3 with two walks. Although he struck out in the ninth inning during his final attempt, his overall progress and impact on the team’s offensive performance have been evident.

In an impressive display of plate discipline, Isiah Kiner-Falefa faced a tough battle against opposing starter Tyler Wells during his first plate appearance. The relentless at-bat stretched to a remarkable 10 pitches, ultimately resulting in a well-deserved walk.

Undeterred by the early challenges, Kiner-Falefa continued his tenacious approach, facing reliever Mike Baumann and seeing seven pitches during his fifth-inning walk, contributing to the decision to replace Wells after just 2 ²/₃ innings due to the Yankees’ strong plate discipline.

In the crucial sixth inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, Kiner-Falefa found himself at a disadvantage, falling behind in the count 0-2 against Bryan Baker. However, his determination shone through as he fought back, fouling off four consecutive pitches to stay alive. The count went full, and Baker could no longer afford to miss the strike zone.

Then, the moment of triumph arrived. Kiner-Falefa capitalized on a well-placed four-seamer in the middle of the plate and delivered a resounding bases-clearing double to left field, sealing his heroic performance with an exultant shout from second base.

With Kiner-Falefa’s resolute efforts paying off, the Yankees could breathe a sigh of relief, and the jubilant cry from Kiner-Falefa resonated throughout the stadium, signaling a well-earned victory for the team.

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