Swing Analysis - Josh Hamilton

8/8/2008

The video clip below of the swing of Josh Hamilton is from the Home Run Derby before the 2008 All Star Game. Josh Hamilton hit 28 home runs during the first round of the Home Run Derby.

Josh Hamilton

There are a couple of frames to pay attention to.
     Frame 119 is the Point Of Contact (POC). Notice how Josh Hamilton is still fairly connected in this frame, with his back elbow still bent. Also, notice how his front knee is pretty much fully extended, which means he is powering his hip rotation through the POC.
     Frame 125 is interesting because it is just a few frames after the POC. However, in this frame Josh Hamilton his completely let go of the handle of the bat with his top hand (kind of like a bottom hand only swing drill). Some people say the top hand is the key, power hand in the swing, but I really don't see how this could be given how Josh Hamilton's top hand reacts in this clip.
     One reason why Josh Hamilton may have to let go of the bat with his top hand is because the pitch is outside. On outside pitches, you will tend to see more extension at the POC and you will also see hitters let go of the bat right after the POC.
     Frame 137 is the point of maximum extension. Some people have asked me whether Josh Hamilton is fully extended at the POC. I don't think he is given how much he extends (how much his back elbow extends) after the POC.