As a coach, I’ve had the privilege of working with exceptional players, including Pete Alonso during his high school days. The key lesson I taught him—and all hitters—is simple: Learn to hit first; the power will come later. Pete’s journey to becoming one of baseball’s top power hitters proves that disciplined development leads to lasting results.
The Science of Great Hitting
Hitting is about mastering foundational skills before expecting big results.
Here’s the formula:
- Timing and Tempo (90%) – Be on time and consistent with your load and movement.
- Tracking (80%) – Anticipate and respond to pitch types, speeds, and locations.
- Approach (70%) – Deliver a repeatable, short, and direct swing.
When these are executed properly, the outcomes follow:
- Hard Contact (50%) – Hitting the ball hard is the result of proper execution.
- Hitting for Average (30%-40%) – Consistent contact leads to base hits.
- Hitting for Power (10%-20%) – Home runs and extra-base hits are the natural byproducts of great mechanics and strength.
For example, to hit 50 home runs in a season, Pete would need approximately 500 at-bats. His power stems not from chasing home runs but from mastering the skills that make them happen. This is the essence of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators): focus on the processes that drive success rather than the outcomes themselves.
The 7 Parts of the Swing
I break the swing into 7 critical components:
- Stance and Load
- Timing
- Tempo
- Tracking
- Approach
- Contact
- Extension and Finish
To make any one of these components a habit, it requires 3,000 reps. With seven parts, that’s 21,000 reps—a level of dedication that demands discipline, not just passion. Great hitters don’t hope to improve; they build improvement rep by rep.
The Four Phases of Hitter Development
Developing a hitter doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a structured process broken into four key phases:
1. August–October: The Lab
This is the time to experiment—figure out what works and what doesn’t. Analyze and adjust your approach to build a foundation for the year ahead.
2. November–January: The Grind
Commit to building habits through disciplined, repetitive practice. This is the hardest phase but lays the groundwork for success.
3. February–April: The Zone
Convert habits into skills. This is where consistency takes over, and hitters begin to execute at a higher level.
4. May–July: The Show
It’s time to maintain and showcase the skills built throughout the year in live competition. This phase measures how well the work has translated into performance.
Building a Chair: The Legs of Hitting
A seat becomes a chair when it has legs to stand on. In hitting, those legs are:
- Timing
- Tempo
- Tracking
If one leg is missing or weak, the entire swing collapses. That’s why it’s critical for hitters to focus their training on these foundational elements.
Proving the Point
When Pete Alonso was in high school, he wasn’t yet the powerhouse slugger we know today. Instead of chasing home runs, he focused on perfecting timing, tempo, and tracking. He committed to the grind, building habits through thousands of reps.
By the time Pete stepped into the MLB, his foundation was rock solid. In his rookie season, he hit 53 home runs, setting a new record. This wasn’t luck—it was the result of years of preparation, discipline, and trust in the process.
Great hitters don’t waste time chasing results. They invest their time wisely, developing the skills that lead to success.
The question is: are you ready to put in the work?
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today.
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C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the leading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
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