Mike Moustakas is typically the first hitter to take swings during batting practice at Great American Ball Park.
Moustakas, a lefty, will start in the right-handed batter’s box and take three swings before formally beginning the round. He’s pulled a homer over the left-field wall during at least two days of preseason camp, drawing laughs from Cincinnati Reds associate coach Rolando Valles, who was throwing the rounds of batting practice.
There is a purpose behind it: Moustakas says it helps him loosen up his hips and rotate in a different direction. But the tradition started several years ago when he was playing in Kansas City as a bet with former hitting coach Dale Sveum.