Launch to impact speed and the bat’s angle critical for a player at any level, Mallee says, Zepp’s ability to capture those metrics in real-time gives him the data he needs to help players. As they swing, they can match their physical feelings with detailed data. Right then and there.
By Brian McTaggart
MLB.com | March 17, 2013
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Astros left fielder Chris Carter has been working in the batting cage daily with hitting coach John Mallee and assistant hitting coach Dan Radison on getting his stride foot down early and making sure his back side comes through the zone.
The results were on display Sunday when Carter, the slugger acquired from the A’s in last month’s Jed Lowrie trade, went 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run homers and five RBIs in the Astros’ 11-2 win over the Jays. Carter’s four homers is tied for the team lead with Jason Castro and Brandon Laird, both of whom also homered Sunday.
“It’s still a work in progress … but it all came together today,” Carter said.
By Brian T. Smith
March 3, 2013
BRADENTON, Fla. – John Mallee won the job before the decision was made.
When the Astros were searching during the offseason for a hitting coach to pair with a young club loaded with prospects and mid-level pros who had yet to peak, Mallee strode into his interview filled with inside information. He had a vision for where he could take Astros hitters, building off 10 seasons spent with the Marlins, including a 2010-11 stint as hitting coach.
“He was the most prepared by far,” Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said. Mallee got the gig. He hasn’t looked back. As soon as Mallee, a Chicago native, joined the Astros, he linked up with as many players as possible, listening as they described their strengths and weaknesses inside the batter’s box while watching video.
By Brian McTaggert
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — With pitchers often focusing on spotting their fastballs and changing speeds early during Spring Training, it’s not uncommon for hitters to take advantage of the lack of breaking stuff being thrown.
Even so, Astros hitting coach John Mallee has been happy with way his club has swung the bat during the first week of spring games. Houston entered Friday’s game against the Cardinals hitting .316 (77-for-244) as a team in seven games.
By Brian McTaggart
Wallace, Castro stay hot in win over Tigers
What happened: The split-squad Astros got a two-run homer from Jason Castro — his second in as many games — and a solo shot from Brett Wallace to pull away from the Tigers for a 9-4 win on Tuesday afternoon at rainy Osceola County Stadium (boxscore).
For the game story and boxcore on the Astros’ 7-2 split-squad loss to the Rays in Port Charlotte.