Carroll's Path to Reclaiming Form
Carroll may never have been in a position to make major adjustments at the plate in his professional career. It's difficult to determine exactly what led to his mechanics going awry. It could be subconscious compensation for an uncomfortable shoulder, or the shoulder may have nothing to do with it. Even the most talented hitters can gradually develop bad habits, making it hard to notice changes in swing mechanics.
During Carroll's prolonged slump, there haven't been any significant mechanical adjustments aside from minor "counter-rotating," which seems more of a feel adjustment than a major visible change. This is more encouraging than if Carroll were experimenting with different setups and pre-swing moves without success.
Teams are cautious about having their star hitters make adjustments, as it can sometimes take the player further from their original form. For players who have found hitting natural for so long, retracing their steps can be increasingly difficult.
Carroll is a rare talent with exceptional bat speed, great barrel control, and strike zone awareness. He's one of the game's most athletic and explosive players, pound-for-pound.
These qualities allow Carroll to get away with more inefficiencies than others, which might explain how some of his swing components slipped over time. Given his physical talent and strong makeup, anything short of a turnaround would be surprising. When that happens is uncertain, but he and the Diamondbacks are taking a gradual approach before considering more dramatic changes.
Re-patterning pre-swing moves, especially as dynamic as Carroll's, can be challenging, but it's likely only a matter of time before the star outfielder returns to form.
This post by Aram Leighton appeared first on Just Baseball.
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