That
eye, Hamilton's left, hasn't been as good lately because his stance has
closed and kept him from being able to recognize pitches as easily as
he was when he was hitting just about everything pitched to him.
He's hoping an adjustment he made after watching video will help him return to his dominant self.
"It's
amazing how something can be just a little bit off and it throws a
bunch of stuff off," said Hamilton, who is leading the AL in hitting
(.376), homers (18) and RBI (48). "I wasn't standing
square with the pitchers. I've been starting like this (with his front
leg slightly turned in). I haven't been looking with both eyes at the
pitcher and I've kind of cut myself off. So then I go back and I go
forward. My pitch recognition is not where it needs to be."
Hamilton
said because of that, pitches that are 90 mph were looking like they're 100.
Hamilton was hitting just
.200 on the Rangers’ road trip before going 1 for 4 with an RBI double in Tuesday's 3-1 win. He hasn't homered since May 12.
Hamilton
said that his mechanics being off has led him to overthink during
at-bats, something that even his wife Katie has noticed.
One
thing he said that hasn't happened is pitchers attacking him any
differently since he hit nine homers in a week this month. He said
they're still trying to get him out with fastballs inside and off-speed
pitches outside.
Manager Ron Washington agreed.
"A lot of
what you're seeing happening with Josh is Josh, not the opposing
pitchers," Washington said. "He's not making pitchers bring the ball in
the zone. I don't think the opposing pitchers' pitches have been that
great. What I think what you're seeing is Josh."
