Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
With a complete overhaul like the Houston Astros are going through this season, Bo Porter and his staff must love the position players that give them multiple options. Brett Wallace has been with the Astros for a few years but has never really produced that well. This season a new hitting coach has equaled a new approach at the plate for Wallace. It already is working to his advantage and to that of his manager.
Wallace says that he has always felt that his natural motion at the plate was at odds with where he needed to go to swing. He basically has been fighting himself at the plate. The new approach frees his body up to flow through the swing and it is providing evidence that Wallace could be a much better hitter this season. That gives the Astros the options they need in this big rebuilding season.
When someone can play third base, first base and of course DH, that equals options for the manager. When the manager can count on a productive day at the plate from someone he can plug in multiple spots, it’s just that much better. Wallace could provide that this season. He has mostly played first base but with Carlos Pena and Chris Carter also likely to see playing time there, Wallace might get switched around from place to place. If his bat keeps as hot as it has been, he’ll be in the line-up somewhere most every day.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
