Xander Bogaerts has a new approach at the plate and it’s making a difference. But his secret weapon is no longer a secret.
When NBC analyst Clayton Kershaw pointed out the split grip that Bogaerts was using in the NL Wild Card Series, most had not noted the new technique being used by the Padres shortstop.
During the worst offensive season of his career, with the hope of a postseason run on the horizon, Bogaerts took a suggestion from the coaching staff to try something different.
Jeff Sanders of the
San Diego Union-Tribune was able to get some details about Bogaerts’ mechanical adjustment.
In hisPadres Notes on Oct. 2, Sanders traces the change to the road series in Colorado during mid-September. The Padres shortstop had repeatedly rolled over on pitches during the season, leading to weak grounders and lots of outs.
The staff suggested using a split grip on his bat.
The grip change results in keeping the hands separated by 1-2 inches, which gives better bat control while also helping to keep the bat level through the hitting plane. This helps lift the ball rather than pounding it into the ground.
Clayton Kershaw noticed the grip
After pointing out the change, Kershaw explained the effect the split grip has on the action of the bat. It has been clear that the change has improved Bogaerts’ results late in the season. His incremental decline while a Padre has been discussed at length. Any improvement is welcome, especially for the postseason.
2026 futility
Prior to the All-Star break, Bogaerts was hitting .224 with a .648 OPS. His best month before September was the fast start he had in April, hitting .292 with an .854 OPS.
After slumping in May, Bogaerts has struggled throughout the season, with July being a new low when he hit .167 with a .523 OPS. Starting the season in the top five of the order, Bogaerts found himself hitting in the bottom three.
Blazing to the finish
With the mechanical change made in September, Bogaerts had a .315/.425/.479 batting line with a .904 OPS for the month. He was a vital contributor to the surge that landed his team in the postseason for a record-setting third straight season.
Reluctant to share the details
Bogaerts was one of the three Padres available to the media before their first game of the NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Along with manager Craig Stammen and starter Robbie Ray, Bogaerts answered questions about the upcoming series.
Except for any questions about his new batting grip.
When questioned about the origin of the new grip pointed out by Kershaw in the second game of the Wild Card Series, Bogaerts responded, “I don’t know,” he said. “It’s working, so let’s keep it going.”
When pressed further about whether it came out of nowhere, Bogaerts replied, “It didn’t come out of nowhere but it’s hopeful it continues, no?”
Known as a superstitious player, Bogaerts was clearly not keen to discuss the new grip.
The results speak for themselves.
Shortly after implementing the change, Bogaerts was a single shy of the cycle in Colorado and went on to hit .400/.500/.800 to finish the season.
When Saunders asked hitting coach Stephen Souza Jr. about the change, Souza said, “He started doing it and he started hitting lasers.”
The prior grip used by Bogaerts
The split grip used since mid-September
