LA Times: Angels' Josh Hamilton aims to be a heavy hitter again

[AngelsWin.com]

Josh Hamilton, who had a dismal first season with Angels, weighs 240 pounds, 28 above where he ended 2013. He thinks it'll help his power stroke.<br/><br/>TEMPE, Ariz. — Josh Hamilton arrived at Angels camp Sunday, hoping to play the heavy. The 6-foot-4 left fielder checked in at 240 pounds, a solid 28 pounds heavier than he was at the end of 2013, believing it would help his production.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/latimes/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/~4/lMBK2Ojuf-g" height="1" width="1"/>

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[Blarg]

He’s now up to 240 pounds, up from 212 at the end of last season. He said that measurements showed he gained 15 pounds of muscle.

 

 

That seems reasonable.

[Team Cooley]

I guess we don't really want him for his speedaround the basis but will it slow him down in the outfield

[Team Cooley]

*bases

[Halos of Anaheim]

He’s now up to 240 pounds, up from 212 at the end of last season. He said that measurements showed he gained 15 pounds of muscle.

 

 

That seems reasonable.

Definitely, especially when most of it is probably from the muscle that he lost going on that diet. Muscle memory sure is awesome.

[Blarg]

I think you confuse the term muscle memory with something else.

[robblin17]

I think you confuse the term muscle memory with something else.

 

Not at all. With someone that has been bigger for pretty much his entire career, it was probably a shock for Josh's body to lose all of that weight. Getting back to this weight was probably easier for him than most and adding back that muscle that used to already be there. It is the same as going back to the gym when you take a longer break from what used to be a normal routine. Initially you are weaker than you were before, but within a couple weeks of consistent lifting, your body can get back to close to where you were when you stopped lifting previously and you can gain much quicker than someone who is trying to get somewhere that they have never been. 

Edited February 17, 2014 by robblin17

[acro2008]

I guess we don't really want him for his speedaround the basis but will it slow him down in the outfield

If his legs are stronger he may retain all his speed with the potential of an increase.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

None of this will matter if he still waves weakly at breaking balls two feet off the plate.

[fan_since79]

I hope he can handle the heavy breaking balls that will be coming his way in droves this year.

 

It doesn't matter how strong he is. He needs to learn how NOT to swing at garbage. That's a mental thing.

[fan_since79]

None of this will matter if he still waves weakly at breaking balls two feet off the plate.

 

You read my mind!

[Angels]

What a comeback!

[bloodbrother]

19.7% Swinging strike percentage

61.4% contact percentage

 

the guy is elite when it comes to not making contact with the baseball

 

We get to look forward to 3 more years of this guy trying to hit over .250 with declining power numbers. Wonder if he even makes it to year 5 or if he's completely washed up by then and out of baseball/off the team

Edited August 10, 2014 by bloodbrother

[Vegas Halo Fan]

I chuckled a bit when I read the thread title. There is a local lawyer who ran television commercials calling himself "The Heavy Hitter" (until the Nevada Bar Association made him quit running them because they thought that it implied that he wins every case). The guy is little more than a punchline with most people. I've heard that he stands about 5'4" or so.

[Angel Oracle]

Heavy swinging, light hitter

[fan_since79]

He hits the air around home plate pretty hard.

[eligrba]

But he has batting practice power!!!!

 

Horrific signing.....

 

I wish he would just hit the ball hard......it does not even need to find gaps at this point....just show that he can still hit a ball at ths level.....

 

OR, Scioscia can keep hitting him at #4 like Groundhog Day.

[YouthofToday]

Where is Biogenesis when you need them? Someone, get onto the Interwebs and find a reputable company in Canada STAT!

The organization can't go wrong either way. He produces or gets suspended and the club gets the salary back whilst a player is suspended.

[Waybackman]

Talk about damaged goods. Josh Hamilton is an ex-crackhead Jesus freak who looks lost at the plate. He makes the same mistakes over and over again. He has a great swing and every so often the bat hits the ball by mistake. He is, was, and shall be a liability on this team for the length of his contract. The fact that Scioscia continues to bat him at cleanup defies common sense.

[Hollyw00d]

19.7% Swinging strike percentage

61.4% contact percentage

the guy is elite when it comes to not making contact with the baseball

We get to look forward to 3 more years of this guy trying to hit over .250 with declining power numbers. Wonder if he even makes it to year 5 or if he's completely washed up by then and out of baseball/off the team

oy. I knew his contact rates were bad, but that's just horrific. Nearly 15% below league average, in a pitcher's era.

if he were a rookie, he'd have been shipped off to AAA long ago to work on some things

[UndertheHalo]

Im just gonna keep doing this,

 

Hamilton is bad.. Mmmmk