Wally Joyner: Domonic Brown whisperer?
Wally Joyner parlayed his sweet lefthanded swing into a 16-year major-league career. And, just maybe, he is the one who can finally unlock Domonic Brown's potential.
Wally Joyner: Domonic Brown whisperer?
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Wally Joyner stuck out his left fist for a bump Wednesday as Domonic Brown dashed past the batting cage. When Brown poked one the opposite way a few minutes later, Joyner nodded his head and said, "Atta boy." In between batting practice rounds, Joyner mimicked a swing to make a point while Brown watched.
A day earlier, Brown credited his hot spring start to Joyner, the Phillies' new assistant hitting coach. "It seemed like God maybe sent an angel down toward me," Brown said, citing the strong connection the two made.
When relayed those words Wednesday, Joyner smiled.
"He said that?"
Joyner parlayed his sweet lefthanded swing into a 16-year major-league career. And, just maybe, he is the one who can finally unlock Brown's potential.
Brown, who lives in the Clearwater area, trained most of the winter at the Phillies complex. So he was one of the first hitters Joyner met upon his arrival in early February. Both, coincidentally, attended Redan (Ga.) High School. Brown was unaware. Joyner struck up a conversation.
"I came in early and we started talking," Joyner said. "I just asked him to try a couple of things and he locked it right in."
The changes were to Brown's hands, specifically, how he gripped the bat. At times, Brown would wrap his hands and wrists around the bat.
Brown's approach has never been an issue; his major-league walk rate is 10.4 percent, which is above the average of 8.2 percent. It's the power stroke that Brown has lacked in the majors.
Joyner believes the recent tweaks could help.
"We straightened his hands out a little bit, allowing his wrists to cock," Joyner said. "He's a big boy. He looks great. We want to take advantage of that size and leverage. That's one of the assets that Ryan Howard has. And he uses it. He has a lot of leverage. He stays behind it."
Joyner said he is careful not to overcoach. It is early in spring. Brown has had plenty of voices in his head before, and previous adjustments derailed him.
The results are encouraging so far. With confidence at the plate, Brown's entire game has benefitted.
On Wednesday, Brown lashed a ball off the base of the centerfield wall, just missing his third home run in four days. He settled for a run-scoring double. Brown scored three runs.
He drew a four-pitch walk in the first inning and went from first to third on a Howard single to right. In the third inning, Brown scored from second on a Carlos Ruiz flyball single to left.
"He's buying into it," Joyner said.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
I could read stories like this all day long. Dom is the real deal and his success could positively impact the team's future in a major way. I truly look forward to seeing him blossom in 2013.— The Pack Leader- Watch what you say Pack. Hard to stay positive on this forum. Majority have wanted to trade Brown for a long time. Makes sense, trade him somewhere else to be a decent player. We certainly don't need any outfielders.— dond2885
- Agreed that Dom COULD positively impact the team's future.
But, saying he is the "real deal" at this point is just silly ... or even shill-y ... BTW: A shill, also called a plant or a stooge, is a person who publicly helps a person or organization without disclosing that he has a close relationship with that person or organization.— Copper34 - BroadStBeat: What Can Brown Do for You? Dom Brown Goes Yard http://t.co/ZCkgqkIIl9 check us out on twitter: @broadstbeat— BroadStBeat
- Brown has shown little in majors so far. Still when you watch him you see some positive signs Dom has a very quick bat and a better idea of the strikezone than most major leaguers. Brown is only 25 and he's delt with broken hand and knee problems in last few years. This is a player who hit 340 in AAA (30 games) at 22. I see him as best hitting prospect since Howard for Phills. He has the talent to be an impact player.— Don w
- Hopefully, this is Brown's year.— Boru
- Possibly confirms what we always knew...Gross didn't know squat about helping a hitter. Now, if Joyner can just get into Howard's head.......— dogman5
- good story; maybe they pump out a ton of athletes out of that high school, but if you were a high school star athlete, how would you not know an alumnus had been a star in the mlb?— jim715
- I hope Wally can also teach him how to judge a fly ball successfully 3 times in a row, how to run the bases and how to hustle on every play...Many of Doms downfalls should have been established in High school.— outta work
- Way to go Wally and Dom. Keep it up! We all want you to succeed.— billtfla
- dom brown is nothing if not intriguing. like the idea of not overcoaching. hopefully dom has figured something out. nice shot yesterday.— high water
- Young players struggle. Heyward struggled 2 years ago. The Braves played him. Play Brown. Give him the season. He is one of very few young players with potential. Let him play. The Braves did that for Heyward. The Rays did the same for Upton. Patience is needed. The of will not be the issue. Pitching will be issue. Why didn't GM sign Jurgens?— wmontanez27
- Best of Luck, keep killing it!
Vick/Foles/Howard/McNabb have all seen detractors and supporters.
I can't imagine a single Philadelphian not praying for this young man to be a HUGE success.— thenutz72 - Phillies have some solid fantasy players this year, if they can all stay healthy. For more fantasy news and insights, check our facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/fanjab.fantasysports— FanJab
