yagsy
02-26-2005, 11:39 AM
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/sd/news/sd_news.jsp?ymd=20050223&content_id=949515&vkey=spt2005news&fext=.jsp
2/23/05 was the posting article date
Loretta the lone no-show among position players
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/02/23/3DfxIuIy.jpg
Jake Peavy hits during a game of pepper Wednesday. Full-squad workouts start Friday. (Elaine Thompson/AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ryan Klesko has heard the complaints about his drop in power numbers last season, but for half a season he felt he was taking half a swing.
That's because his surgically repaired right shoulder prevented any offseason weight training a year ago, so any preparations he was able to make were in rehabbing the joint. He didn't train to his accustomed level, his weight and strength subsequently dipped and his trademark wicked swing became one-dimensional.
"Of course my power numbers were off," Klesko said. "My shoulder didn't allow me to swing until the middle of the season."
Klesko had surgery in September 2003 to repair the A/C joint, and the recovery didn't progress as quickly as he had hoped. Taking over in left field last season, Klesko started slow in spring and it carried over into the year. By the All-Star break he had just two homers and was batting .271 with a .366 on-base percentage while slugging only .370.
But he was a different player in the second half. While his homers were still below average (he would hit seven), the rest of his numbers showed a productive player.
After the All-Star break, Klesko hit .310 and posted a .946 OPS. In September and the first weekend of October, Klesko had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.077 while hitting .380.
Klesko said that by July, after he was past the shoulder and back and rib injuries, he finally got some fluidity to his swing and could let it go.
"I really came on in the second half and it felt great," Klesko said.
Where he said he weighed between 225-230 pounds last season, he'll be around 235-240 this year and said he owes it to his offseason workout routine. Klesko worked out in his gym in Georgia and also found time to hunt and fish on his ranch in Oregon.
Klesko said his confidence is high that he'll return to respectable numbers but added he'll be looking to drive the ball more at PETCO Park and take Hall of Famer Duke Snider's personal advice to take the lift out of his swing.
"I've changed my game to get on base, hit for higher average and drive in more runs," Klesko said.
His change was also wrought by the effect of the ballpark, Klesko said, because it favors guys with speed who hit for average. In the process, he feels it has made him a better player but realizes there is only one thing that matters.
"It's all about winning," Klesko said. "Who cares about numbers?"
Workout: Most of the position players reported Wednesday with Mark Loretta being the lone notable no-show. Manager Bruce Bochy said Loretta would report Thursday for physicals. The first full-squad workout will be Friday.
Sign 'em up: Several players signed contracts Wednesday including Josh Barfield, Tagg Bozied, J.J. Furmaniak, Justin Germano, Freddy Guzman, Ben Johnson, Paul McAnulty, Corey Smith, Sean Thompson and Rusty Tucker.
Patiently aggressive: Hitting coach Dave Magadan wants his hitters to be aggressive but also know when to take a walk. He sees the value more in the approach at the plate than simply the stat.
"You never go up looking for a walk," Magadan said. "My thing is, accept a walk. If a guy is giving you a walk, don't help by expanding the zone."
Wet fields: After raining early Wednesday, the storm passed and allowed workouts to continue, but Bochy opted against pitchers' fielding practice because some players were slipping on the grass. Position players took batting practice.
Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
2/23/05 was the posting article date
Loretta the lone no-show among position players
By Mike Scarr / MLB.com
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/images/2005/02/23/3DfxIuIy.jpg
Jake Peavy hits during a game of pepper Wednesday. Full-squad workouts start Friday. (Elaine Thompson/AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ryan Klesko has heard the complaints about his drop in power numbers last season, but for half a season he felt he was taking half a swing.
That's because his surgically repaired right shoulder prevented any offseason weight training a year ago, so any preparations he was able to make were in rehabbing the joint. He didn't train to his accustomed level, his weight and strength subsequently dipped and his trademark wicked swing became one-dimensional.
"Of course my power numbers were off," Klesko said. "My shoulder didn't allow me to swing until the middle of the season."
Klesko had surgery in September 2003 to repair the A/C joint, and the recovery didn't progress as quickly as he had hoped. Taking over in left field last season, Klesko started slow in spring and it carried over into the year. By the All-Star break he had just two homers and was batting .271 with a .366 on-base percentage while slugging only .370.
But he was a different player in the second half. While his homers were still below average (he would hit seven), the rest of his numbers showed a productive player.
After the All-Star break, Klesko hit .310 and posted a .946 OPS. In September and the first weekend of October, Klesko had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.077 while hitting .380.
Klesko said that by July, after he was past the shoulder and back and rib injuries, he finally got some fluidity to his swing and could let it go.
"I really came on in the second half and it felt great," Klesko said.
Where he said he weighed between 225-230 pounds last season, he'll be around 235-240 this year and said he owes it to his offseason workout routine. Klesko worked out in his gym in Georgia and also found time to hunt and fish on his ranch in Oregon.
Klesko said his confidence is high that he'll return to respectable numbers but added he'll be looking to drive the ball more at PETCO Park and take Hall of Famer Duke Snider's personal advice to take the lift out of his swing.
"I've changed my game to get on base, hit for higher average and drive in more runs," Klesko said.
His change was also wrought by the effect of the ballpark, Klesko said, because it favors guys with speed who hit for average. In the process, he feels it has made him a better player but realizes there is only one thing that matters.
"It's all about winning," Klesko said. "Who cares about numbers?"
Workout: Most of the position players reported Wednesday with Mark Loretta being the lone notable no-show. Manager Bruce Bochy said Loretta would report Thursday for physicals. The first full-squad workout will be Friday.
Sign 'em up: Several players signed contracts Wednesday including Josh Barfield, Tagg Bozied, J.J. Furmaniak, Justin Germano, Freddy Guzman, Ben Johnson, Paul McAnulty, Corey Smith, Sean Thompson and Rusty Tucker.
Patiently aggressive: Hitting coach Dave Magadan wants his hitters to be aggressive but also know when to take a walk. He sees the value more in the approach at the plate than simply the stat.
"You never go up looking for a walk," Magadan said. "My thing is, accept a walk. If a guy is giving you a walk, don't help by expanding the zone."
Wet fields: After raining early Wednesday, the storm passed and allowed workouts to continue, but Bochy opted against pitchers' fielding practice because some players were slipping on the grass. Position players took batting practice.
Mike Scarr is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.