After delivering a great performance with two home runs on Wednesday, Giancarlo Stanton’s comments about how he’s feeling as he continues to get his swing going during Spring Training with the New York Yankees is just as important.
Stanton’s power has never been in question, but like many hitters during the spring, the veteran slugger is focused on getting his timing and rhythm going at the plate before the regular season begins.
Speaking with Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, Stanton said that the two-homer game was a positive sign that his adjustments are starting to pay off.
“My timing is getting more precise, being able to replicate multiple games,” Stanton said. “I’ve been able to make the adjustments. The past game or two, my timing wasn’t there. I was able to go make the adjustments and come back and feel a little better.”
For Stanton, the key part of Spring Training is stacking productive days together. Rather than focusing on a single good performance, the goal is to build consistency across multiple games while continuing to adjust to live pitching, something all players need to do.
“So that’s usually how spring goes,” Stanton added. “Put back-to-back [games] together, put three in a row.”
On the other hand, Wednesday was more than just another Spring Training game for the Yankees slugger. The day itself was filled with responsibilities before Stanton even stepped onto the field. From meetings to preparation, much of his energy goes into ensuring he’s fully ready once the game begins.
“Today was a long day,” Stanton said. “We had a lot of pregame meetings and some team stuff, and then I just get my full routine in — make sure I get enough running in, the Trajekt timing.”
“I think it’s more with all that I’ve got to do pregame, to get all that in with getting my timing right, [I have] to make sure I still have time before the game for a little break to then go out,” Stanton said. “In spring, sometimes I get pushed right into the game. So it’s about getting the pregame flow in.”
As the regular season approaches, Stanton’s performance won’t be too much of an issue. As long as the future Hall of Famer can stay on the field, he’ll be more than fine.