Mariners' Zunino adjusting, learning from Edgar Martinez's influence
Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has struggled thus far in the major leagues becoming the hitter the M's believe he can be - but he's doing better lately.
His mini-resurgence comes right after the club hired Edgar Martinez as its new hitting instructor, indicating that his presence may be helping the young catcher mature as a hitter.
Greg Johns of MLB.com detailed Zunino's current hot streak, which has found him going 5-14 with a home run and one strikeout in 16 plate appearances heading into Sunday's game. Considering Zunino's issues with strikeouts this season, that has to be seen as a promising development.
So why's it happening? Zunino told Johns it has to do with maintaining a more 'simple' approach: "I'm just simplifying everything, slowing everything down. I've been trying to work with Edgar quite a bit and doing some stuff to just slow down and try to use the whole field. It's helped me see the ball a little better, too."
Part of the simplification, Zunino said, has to do with his focus at the plate - a message Martinez has conveyed in his coaching: "To me, it's just going out there and hitting the ball hard. That's what he's preaching, just solid contact. You don't have to hit every pitch to right field or every pitch in to left field. Just make solid contact and whatever happens, happens. I'm just trying to follow that and have solid at-bats."
If Zunino can keep up this approach, the hiring of Edgar Martinez could prove out to be a very wise one indeed.