A plot of Bryant’s home runs looks like the spray from a sprinkler. They range from the foul pole in left field to the one in right. There’s not a lot of gaps left in between. The same disciplined approach Bryant uses in batting practice pays off in games; he is quite comfortable lining balls the other way.
“Pull power will translate into lower averages and home runs,” Iowa hitting coach Brian Harper said. “The thing about Kris is he has more power the other way. He doesn’t get into pull mode. That’s the destruction of many young power hitters.”
Kris Bryant has power from line to line, evaluators say. (Photo by John Williamson)
Iapoce says he’s coached one other hitter with a similar combination of power, hitting ability and a grinder’s mentality—Giancarlo Stanton.
“You don’t see a guy like Bryant and Stanton do what they do in the minor leagues,” Iapoce said. “They pride themselves on being tough outs. When you pride yourself on being a tough out and you’re big and strong, it’s like hitting on a half field. Kris’s line drives go off the fence. Mishyts can leave the yard.”