In a quest to gain an advantage at the plate, Baltimore Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar has unveiled a unique practice bat.
Every year, players look to find an advantage when it comes to their performance. From video analysis to going traveling to different academies to using new training methods, that quest for improvement continues season to season. It does not matter if the player is a grizzled veteran or a youngster looking to make their way to the majors, every player looks to stay a step ahead.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar is no different. In an effort to work on keeping his hands closer to his body and his swing level, Villar brought a unique bat with him to Spring Training. The picture does not really do this bat justice.
Check out the handle of Jonathan Villar’s innovative practice bat, which is turning heads this spring. It’s double-barreled, and looks more like a paddle. He says the design’s purpose is to help him keep his hands close to his body, inside the ball, his swing level. #Orioles pic.twitter.com/UNMqhn13Fq
— Joe Trezza (@JoeTrezz) February 27, 2019
On a team that is likely to remain at the bottom of the American League standings, getting offense from every spot in the lineup will be important. Villar is projected to hit near the top of the Orioles lineup, where his speed and above average walk rate would be an asset.
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Last year was a decent year for Villar. Split between the Orioles and Brewers, he produced a respectable .260/.325/.384 batting line, hitting 14 homers, 14 doubles, and stealing 35 bases. It may not have been his breakout campaign from 2016, where Villar led the National League with 62 steals, but it was still a good showing for the infielder.
While those overall numbers were solid, Villar performed better with the Orioles. In his 236 plate appearances in Baltimore, he had a .258/.336/.392 batting line, hitting eight homers and stealing 22 bases. Villar adds a speed element that the Orioles had been lacking for far too long, as they had seemingly been allergic to the stolen base.
That element of speed could make a difference for the Orioles this year. Instead of waiting for the likes of Chris David to hopefully swing into a pitch and send it into the seats, a player like Villar can help manufacture a run. If Villar can continue that production that he showed over his time in Baltimore last year, he could be quite the asset for the Orioles.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar has a very unique bat with him at Spring Training. If it helps his swing, then it is well worth the odd looks and questions he may get.