St. Louis Cardinals: Paul Goldschmidt staying sharp at home

Modern problems require modern solutions. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has found a way to maintain his batting stroke during quarantine.

Just as spring training was ramping up and players were getting ready for the regular season, the COVID-19 pandemic truly struck home. Major League Baseball, along with many other organizations, shut down, with the majority of the players heading to quarantine. That progress made prior to the shutdown is being lost by the day, as another spring training will be necessary to shake off the rust.

At least one player is using modern technology in an attempt to minimize those issues. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is using a virtual reality machine to simulate at bats against any pitcher he wants, allowing him to maintain his swing during the break.

Goldschmidt had tested the device prior to the lockdown. Perhaps anticipating such an action on the part of Major League Baseball, Goldschmidt had used the device before practice. In one specific instance, he watched fastballs from Cardinals teammate Ryan Helsley. When he faced the reliever in batting practice, the ball moved exactly as it did in the virtual reality program.

This is not the first time a player has tried to utilize technology to maintain their skills. During Jung Ho Kang‘s banishment, the Pirates had sent him a pitching machine that could replicate any pitcher’s offerings. Unfortunately, that was not enough for Kang to shake off the rust of nearly two years away from the majors.

Instead, virtual reality may be the best option for players during the shutdown. Matt Carpenter has also been using a device, as has Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen. The Mets purchased a similar device last year as they looked to find an advantage.

It may be that virtual reality becomes one of the training tools of choice. Goldschmidt was impressed enough by program that he invested in the company. Other options may become available as well, and could find their way into youth programs. Baseball training may have a much different feel in the coming years.

For now, St. Louis Cardinals’ first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is looking for a way to stay sharp during the shutdown. He may have found it with virtual reality.