Zobrist Still Playing, Batting Righty Despite Sore Left Wrist

“Are you a true switch-hitter?”

Not really comprehending the instructor’s question, Ryne answered in the affirmative. The coach went on to say that a true switch-hitter always bats from the side of the plate opposite the pitcher’s handedness and that his own son had done so since around 8 years old. And you could probably do worse than to follow Tucker Barnhart’s trajectory.

Name-dropping aside, the point I’m driving at here is that most switch-hitters who reach the highest level have done so without facing a pitcher who throws from the same side as the box in which they’re batting. So even though the splits might sometimes dictate otherwise, it’s more a matter of routine and comfort level.

Thi…