KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Wearing a new set of contact lenses, Nate McLouth has been able to see the ball better than ever this spring.
That doesn’t mean, however, that the Atlanta center fielder has been able to hit it.
Mired in a 0-for-28 slump with 12 strikeouts, McLouth batted in every inning of a rain-shorted Braves minor league game Sunday in hopes of getting on track with the start of the season two weeks away.
McLouth got three hits — two more than he’s had in real spring games. He had something positive to build on.
“I just needed to step away,” he said. “Hitting is a funny thing. It can wear on you, even in spring training when numbers don’t matter — because they do.
“Not necessarily numbers, but feeling well and making good contact matters.”
It is frustrating for McLouth and worrisome for the Braves, who are counting on him to be their leadoff hitter.
McClouth’s one hit in 35 at-bats came on March 6, and he has 14 strikeouts and three walks, striking out twice in five of his past eight games. When manager Bobby Cox and hitting coach Terry Pendleton brought up batting every inning in a minor league game, McLouth agreed.
“That’s what needed to be done,” he said. “It was good. I felt great at the plate, made good contact … it was a big step forward.”
Pendleton said McLouth’s troubles stem from “collapsing” during his swing, a habit he fell into late last season. The left-handed hitter has been bending his knees too much during his stride, forcing him to reach for pitches.
“Being on time,” McLouth said. “That’s really what I’ve been struggling with, my timing. If you’re late, then all of a sudden you’re rushing to get to the ball and things are breaking down.”
The Braves have Melky Cabrera, acquired from the Yankees in the deal for Javier Vazquez, available for center field but remain committed to McLouth.
“He’s just pressing a little bit,” Cox said. “That’s why giving him some extra at-bats in a minor league game was good.”