The Shift

The shift is a term dreaded by power hitters all around baseball. It was made popular in recent years and used almost instinctively by some managers. The shift was first used against the great Hall of Fame player Ted Williams, but he was so good he hit through it.

The Royals shift for Teixeia 

One of the players in 2012 most heavily effected by the shift is Mark Teixeira. For Mark Teixeira the short stop plays right over the second base bag and the second baseman plays on the outfield grass while the first baseman hugs the line. The only way for Teixiera to be insured a hit is to hit the ball in the spot where they aren't standing or over their head for a home run. Teixeria chooses to hit the home run most of the time, but he could have a much higher batting average if he just chooses to hit the ball to the left side.

The shift is one of the most frustrating things to a hitter and a fan, but it almost always works. It seems like whenever Mark Teixeria makes contact its hit right at a fielder. Its a rally killer. The shift is being used more and more by managers and teams may start training players in the minor leagues to sacrifice power (pulling the ball) for base hits, hence using the whole field. To go back to Teixeira, out of 98 at bats he hit the ball to the right side 47 times and only 15 times was it a hit. He has a total of just 33 hits on the season; 23 as a left handed hitter. 2009 was arguably his best best season with the Yankees and teams did not shift as drastically. That year as a left handed hitter he hit .282. In 2011 as a left handed hitter Teixeira hit only .224. In 2011 Teixeia hit 24 home runs as left handed hitter and 15 as a right handed hitter, so he is still productive.

Teixeira said he would bunt in 2012 if teams continued to do the shift, but he has yet to do it. You have to think, how many hits are you willing to sacrifice for a home run?

Mark Teixeira

I'm sure we have all heard about Mark Teixeira saying he will be laying down bunts this year to avoid hitting into the shift. As a left handed hitter Teixeira hit 100% of his home runs to right field. and 62% of his hits went to right field as a left handed hitter. The shift is a good idea from the opposing managers.

When Teixeira is hitting against the shift the third baseman moves all the way next to second base. Teixeira's mentality is: If there is no one at third base, i'll just hit it over there. His on base percentage vs right handed pitching is .325. If there is a right handed pitcher on the mound 74% of time then Teixeira has a problem. There should be an increase in Teixeira's on base percentage but a decrease in his home runs if he goes through with this.

The opposing team will notice that Teixeira is getting on base due to the bunt and will move the players back to normal alignment. When back to normal alignment Teixeira can swing for the fences and not hit into the shift. Teixiera will probably hit 5th this season so his overall performance wont be as important as it was when he was hitting 3rd. If Teixeira can get everything together and get on base and continue to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 RBI's The Yankees will again have a devastating line up.