There are rumors from multiple sources that the New York Mets are interviewing former hitting coach Kevin Long for a position within the team. The Mets current hitting coach, Troy Snitker is not rumored to be leaving, but the director of hitting Jeff Albert is not returning.
Kevin Long was the Mets’ hitting coach from the 2015 season through the 2017 season, and in my book he was one of the best hitting coaches this team has had. When he left, the Mets hitting seemed to drop while the Nationals who hired Long began to improve.
Long was recently the hitting coach with the Phillies, who we know could slug with the best teams.
Take a look at the graph below which shows team performance in four different categories across the seasons with Kevin Long as hitting coach. Each team that hired him had a positive trend in performance once he was onboard.
Does Kevin Long become the solution to the long-anemic Mets’ offense? That is a difficult question to answer. In 2015 when Long seemed to be working wonders with a Mets’ offense that propelled them to a World Series berth, the science of hitting was very much different than it is today.
The team’s current struggles seem to reflect the inability to wrap their heads around how to use the new technology and maybe Long could bring some new perspective. He seems to have evolved with the game because everywhere he goes, hitters improve.
With the technology, budget, and staff that is available in the Cohen era, it would be easy to project that Long could do tremendous things.
This news came out on Monday. On Tuesday, the news came out that the Mets are interested in Mallee of the Cubs. Don’t know how many opinions they want but there is a saying that too many chefs spoil the soup.
ReplyDeleteI don’t see the Mets as a bad hitting team, instead I see them as a bad fundamental team and a team that lacked focus early on. Bringing Mendoza back was a mistake because he ran a popularity contest in the clubhouse and had no balls.
Whether it’s Long, Mallee, or both, I’m hoping that Green continues to use the methods that gave this team life and spark the last two months. I have some other hopes, LOL, but let’s just start with that.
I do see the Mets as a bad hitting team. Their team batting average and OPS don't look really bad, but their record with runners in scoring position is horrible. That reflects a bad approach at the plate when a hit is needed. Long can fix that.
DeleteI don’t think it will be Long, based on one stat comparison.
ReplyDeleteOn the road hitting, over 81 games.
Team 1: 328 road runs, .228/.300/.364
Team 2: 365 road runs, .244/.311/.411
Team 2 hit much better in comparable road stadiums.
Team 2 = the Mets, team 1 = Phillies.
Philly park considered a better home hitting park than Citifield.
Mets at home? Scored just 334 runs, 51 fewer than the Phils at home.
Mets home split? .234/.308/.375
Phil’s home split? .253/.334/.404.
Sure seems like it was the stinky stingy Citi Field dimensions that stifled the Mets, while Phils’ hitter friendly home park found Philly hitting 25 points higher than on the road, and scoring many more runs at home.
Long can’t fix that. Only a construction team can.
Simply, I don’t know if Long is the answer. But Citi Field is a key culprit.
Bring in the fences
DeleteOh. Now you too, huh?
DeleteMack, I think Rob was joking… you have gotten seriously edgy since Cohen cut you off.
DeleteI know. So was I.
DeleteCohen?
DeleteWho's dat?
I’ve been on the fence thing for a while :). I have citi field in April-may.
DeleteI understand that CITI is not a 'hitters' park. But the fences don't move in when visiting team bats; when on the road, away field's dimensions are same for both teams.
DeleteLong's home/away splits are not an indication of a poor job. He has taught hitters how to hit, and they reflect that in their home park close to family and friends. He has no control over what the players do in other cities that may make them less than ready to play the next day.
DeleteIt amazes me that people think professional hitters will overnight listen to some non-hitter and change the way he addresses the ball.
ReplyDeleteThis isn’t high school
I disagree somewhat. I see MLB players trying very hard to improve by taking advice from multiple sources and integrating it into their hitting routine. Look at the number of times a player returns to the dugout after a failed at-bat and immediately watches the replay on an iPad. On-field and off-field discussions with players and coaches try to squeak out that advice. With the track record Long has both with and away from the Mets, I think players will seek him out for help in becoming better at their craft.
DeleteI am bored in retirement. I may take up fencing. Touché!
ReplyDelete