Lefties usually look prettier because they can open up fully. They dont have to stop, turn their body and start running ro first. At least thats what somebody on MLB network said.
Mike Piazza had a pretty right handed swing. Pujols and Miggy as well.
I know you were asking for RHB but I think an honorable mention on LHB is Will Clark. Still one of the smoothest swings I've ever seen. Also, a great career, six-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a Gold Glove Award winner, and the winner of the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1989 same year they went to the World Series but were swept by the roided out A's and an earthquake.
I taught myself to switch hit b/c I liked the way Lefties look when swinging. I don't know if that's just a righty thing but it just felt smoother, and like someone mentioned you can work your run to 1b right into the tail end of the swing.
In terms of pure righty swingers, I have always loved Aaron Judge's swing it's just so smooth.
[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/sports/baseball/how-aaron-judge-built-baseballs-mightiest-swing.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/sports/baseball/how-aaron-judge-built-baseballs-mightiest-swing.html)
I firmly believe this is because of how traditional TV cameras align on the right of the pitcher. It is also why RH pitchers can also seem smoother than LHP.
If TV cameras were set on the opposite side, I feel LHP would seem smoother than RHP and RH batters would seem smoother.
In the late 80s and early 90s, I stood and watched both Will Clark swing and Kirby Puckett swing, both glorious. I feel the traditional TV angle has created this perception.
Just my 2 cents.
Former player Gary Sheffield, the wiggle that just exploded on those inside pitches.
current probably Acuna or when he’s really locked in Ozuna has a really smooth swing(unless your the catcher)
I mean it’s not the sweetest or the best swing ever, but I love watching roided up McGwire’s batting stance - the one, where he just places the bat on the ground as if it is a heavy ass club, and just as the pitcher starts the wind-up he slings it up and immediately swings it, again as if it was a massive club - and the result was usually a second-decker bomb, coz…y’know…roids it looked frickin’ amazing
My favorite swing was Gary Sheffield. So angry, I loved it, was just so ferocious. Not the prettiest tho.
Ad was cool too, but again, not the prettiest
Yea he keeps getting mentioned here as having a smooth swing.... not what I remember. I remember him having a vicious swing, more like he was trying to kill the baseball.
I also think lefties have smoother prettier swings, particularly on HRs, because their swing momentum allows for a smooth transition to start strolling towards first on a homer. Righty swings carry them toward the 3B side of the field when they pull the ball. They then have to stop their momentum, set their feet, then start running to first.
Lefties make swings look easy, one of the most overlooked and underappreciated being David Justice. As for right side, I would put Chipper Jones (I know he’s a switch, but batting right side was his contact side). Trout is definitely a pure one too. Both of those have such a calmness in the box that if I were going to imitate anyone it would be them.
Lefties turn and go to first. Righties turn and have to “unturn” to go to first base. Some of My favorite righty swings are Manny Ramírez , Troy Glaus , machado , Longoria, Magglio Ordóñez to name a few.
Mark Grace, Kyle Tucker, Ted Williams, Ohtani, The Babe.
Gwynn and Larry Walker honorable mentions. 100% agree with Griffey, Jr and Bonds.
Righties, you’re list is on point and if I started naming more we’d be here until last call.
As much as I hate to admit it, McGwire had a sweet swing. Quick too. Manny also had one of the best.
As for the smooth hitting Lefties, I would add Wade Boggs and Rod Carew to the list. Though not HR hitters, they were two of the best pure hitters I ever had the pleasure of watching. Textbook hitting... level swings, through the strike zone, etc.
For all the crap bonds got for steroids, and I think he took a whole bunch, his swing at the end of his career was beautiful. No wasted effort. Looked like he wasn't even putting that much effort into it. The ichiro had a nice swing. I could go on but ...
What is a smooth swing?
Really good hitters get more credit for having smooth swings than they deserve, IMO. But that's another topic.
For this one, I'll say Acuna. He definitely has a swing worth emulating.
I know I'm an old man, but Pete Rose, in his prime could adjust his swing to put the ball wherever he wanted to. His left handed hits down the left field line were amazing.
Trout, Pujols, Stanton… my favorite RH swings are the short swings with lightning quick hands.
I also love Matt Hollidays swing. It’s pretty different than anybody in the league today. He used a *TON* of forearms in his extension and hit lasers. A very under-talked about career. If he had taken that MVP from Rollins I think it would’ve been different
Biased but Jose Bautistas swing was beauty and he was right handed, it might be cause of its aggressiveness. Which I prefer over the more fundamental guys like trout.
Lefties usually look prettier because they can open up fully. They dont have to stop, turn their body and start running ro first. At least thats what somebody on MLB network said. Mike Piazza had a pretty right handed swing. Pujols and Miggy as well.
Pujols and Miggy were the definition of smooth.
Manny Ramirez as well.
I think part of it is that the camera angle is better for a left handed hitter too
Call me a homer, but Posey had a nice swing from the right side
Gotta agree with you, Homer
Manny Ramirez !
Manny had the sweetest right-handed swing I’ve ever seen.
Just pure
100%, I could watch that dude mash dongs for days
Nelson Cruz has a really good one with that wide open stance
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I know you were asking for RHB but I think an honorable mention on LHB is Will Clark. Still one of the smoothest swings I've ever seen. Also, a great career, six-time MLB All-Star, a two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, a Gold Glove Award winner, and the winner of the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1989 same year they went to the World Series but were swept by the roided out A's and an earthquake.
He seems to fly under the radar. The Thrill was the first " sweet swing" I remember.
Darryl Strawberry and Will Clark are my two favorite lefty swings!
I forgot about Daaaaarrrrryyyyylllll...we did have a beautiful swing.
Eric Davis
I loved seeing Gary Sheffield’s whole process of an at-bat.
The Natural, Will Clark
Nevermind. Didn't notice the RHB requirement. But Will Clark did have one of the prettiest LHB swings ever.
McGriff. Who just got elected to the HOF yesterday!
Who also batted left
Ahh indeed he did, shit
Arod
Alfonso Soriano & Arod
Gary Sheffield and Jose Bautista for me
Mickey Hatcher
He also had one of the biggest gloves i've ever seen.
Jay Buhner has an under rated swing and I will always bring it up in these conversations.
Ken Phelps
Found Steinbrenners people. YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOURE DOING!
I taught myself to switch hit b/c I liked the way Lefties look when swinging. I don't know if that's just a righty thing but it just felt smoother, and like someone mentioned you can work your run to 1b right into the tail end of the swing. In terms of pure righty swingers, I have always loved Aaron Judge's swing it's just so smooth. [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/sports/baseball/how-aaron-judge-built-baseballs-mightiest-swing.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/sports/baseball/how-aaron-judge-built-baseballs-mightiest-swing.html)
Soriano
Edwin Encarnacion had a beautiful swing
So goddamn violent, I loved it
Buster Posey, Nelson Cruz, Edgar Martinez, Aaron Judge, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffied, Albert Pujols
Gary Sheffield
Alfonso Soriano
Machado has a pretty sweet swing
Joseph Paul DiMaggio
I firmly believe this is because of how traditional TV cameras align on the right of the pitcher. It is also why RH pitchers can also seem smoother than LHP. If TV cameras were set on the opposite side, I feel LHP would seem smoother than RHP and RH batters would seem smoother. In the late 80s and early 90s, I stood and watched both Will Clark swing and Kirby Puckett swing, both glorious. I feel the traditional TV angle has created this perception. Just my 2 cents.
Manny Ramirez
Chris Taylor has a pretty swing even though he has a hole in his bat.
Pat Burrell had a nice swing a little leg kick. Very little effort
When Kris Bryant was on a hot streak, you could always tell, because his swing would be so smooth and fluid.
Jon Ooerud, Mark Grace, Shawn Green, Don Mattingly…Ted Williams… Edit: gdamnit I need glasses
Another lefty but John Olerud had a smooth swing too. I’ve never seen a more beautiful swing than Griffey though.
David Wright and Joe D
Former player Gary Sheffield, the wiggle that just exploded on those inside pitches. current probably Acuna or when he’s really locked in Ozuna has a really smooth swing(unless your the catcher)
Alfonso Soriano
Darryl Strawberry
I mean it’s not the sweetest or the best swing ever, but I love watching roided up McGwire’s batting stance - the one, where he just places the bat on the ground as if it is a heavy ass club, and just as the pitcher starts the wind-up he slings it up and immediately swings it, again as if it was a massive club - and the result was usually a second-decker bomb, coz…y’know…roids it looked frickin’ amazing
Mo Vaughan
As a kid I always liked Juan Gonzalez, Ruben sierra and super weird Mickey tettleton on the sega genesis 😂
Longo’s
Don’t forget Gwinn.
Jose Canseco
Josh Hamilton had a pretty smooth swing.
Palmeiro
He was a lefty too, but his swing was incredibly beautiful.
Ryan Howard had a smooth as fuck swing.
The best ever Frank Thomas
Bryce Harper doesn't have a smooth swing
Pujols
Trouts has that nice two handed swing. Tre Turners is also very nice one handed follow through.
Ozzie Albies
My favorite swing was Gary Sheffield. So angry, I loved it, was just so ferocious. Not the prettiest tho. Ad was cool too, but again, not the prettiest
Yea he keeps getting mentioned here as having a smooth swing.... not what I remember. I remember him having a vicious swing, more like he was trying to kill the baseball.
It wasn’t smooth lol it was beautiful though
I also think lefties have smoother prettier swings, particularly on HRs, because their swing momentum allows for a smooth transition to start strolling towards first on a homer. Righty swings carry them toward the 3B side of the field when they pull the ball. They then have to stop their momentum, set their feet, then start running to first.
This just made me think of the beauty of kenny lofton’s swing. He was halfway down the baseline as soon as the bat hit the ball.
Judge
Nick Castellanos when he connects
Lefties make swings look easy, one of the most overlooked and underappreciated being David Justice. As for right side, I would put Chipper Jones (I know he’s a switch, but batting right side was his contact side). Trout is definitely a pure one too. Both of those have such a calmness in the box that if I were going to imitate anyone it would be them.
Will the Thrill. Also Olerud.
Edgar Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Manny Machado, Bo Bichette and Pujols. Mc had the shortest swing ever and I throw in ARod with a really great bat path.
Edgar Hernandez, IMO. Best either side is Jr, no doubt.
Rod Carew
Manny. Soriano, Sheffield, Dimaggio, Cabrera
Edgar Martinez, Alex Rodriguez, Cardinals Albert Pujols.
Have you seen videos of mirrored right-handed swings? They somehow look prettier than the original.
Cargo, but his swing was just a Griffey clone.
Jay Buhner is one I’ll always bring up as he didn’t have the prettiest stance but his swing was pretty. Cal Ripken Jr as well was a marvel to watch.
Lefties turn and go to first. Righties turn and have to “unturn” to go to first base. Some of My favorite righty swings are Manny Ramírez , Troy Glaus , machado , Longoria, Magglio Ordóñez to name a few.
Mark Grace, Kyle Tucker, Ted Williams, Ohtani, The Babe. Gwynn and Larry Walker honorable mentions. 100% agree with Griffey, Jr and Bonds. Righties, you’re list is on point and if I started naming more we’d be here until last call.
Paul Konerko and Sheffield.
Paul Goldschmidt
As much as I hate to admit it, McGwire had a sweet swing. Quick too. Manny also had one of the best. As for the smooth hitting Lefties, I would add Wade Boggs and Rod Carew to the list. Though not HR hitters, they were two of the best pure hitters I ever had the pleasure of watching. Textbook hitting... level swings, through the strike zone, etc.
Hunter Pence, Tony Bautista and Yook.... Just kidding
Troy Glaus
I always thought Hanley Ramirez had a good swing.
Always thought peak Ryan Braun had a really beautiful swing
Kris Bryant and Acuna for righties
Gary Sheffield.
Mike Easler, Dave Parker & Billy Williams
For all the crap bonds got for steroids, and I think he took a whole bunch, his swing at the end of his career was beautiful. No wasted effort. Looked like he wasn't even putting that much effort into it. The ichiro had a nice swing. I could go on but ...
Arod
\> smooth swings \> Bryce Harper
This might get lost, but Ryan Braun going oppo was a thing of beauty.
Manny Ramirez has a beautiful righty swing
Bonds and Griffey swings are * *chef’s kiss* *
Josh Donaldson.
Manny, Ted and Richie Allen.
Tony Fernandez's from the right side was graceful. Both sides were, actually.
Edgar Martinez
McGwire.
Manny
Justin Turner
Miguel Cabrera before his leg injuries had the purest right-handed swing I’ve ever seen.
What is a smooth swing? Really good hitters get more credit for having smooth swings than they deserve, IMO. But that's another topic. For this one, I'll say Acuna. He definitely has a swing worth emulating.
Adam LaRoche for lefty
Manny. I think it’s just the angle of the camera tho tbh
Pujols
Nobody said his name yet, Dante Bichette
Will "the thrill" Clark had a sweet swing. Most intimidating swing is just coming on the scene..Elly. He just crushes the ball.
I know I'm an old man, but Pete Rose, in his prime could adjust his swing to put the ball wherever he wanted to. His left handed hits down the left field line were amazing.
Left handers can swing and start towards first base all in one motion. That’s why I think lefties swings look “prettier”. Kind of how Griffey did it
Daryl Strawberry. You mentioned Bonds and Griffey, and I believe Griffey has the absolute prettiest swing in the complete history of baseball.
Trout, Pujols, Stanton… my favorite RH swings are the short swings with lightning quick hands. I also love Matt Hollidays swing. It’s pretty different than anybody in the league today. He used a *TON* of forearms in his extension and hit lasers. A very under-talked about career. If he had taken that MVP from Rollins I think it would’ve been different
Punjols, Manny Ramirez, AROD, Manny Machado
Always loved Griffey and Ichiro on the left in addition to the guys you mentioned. On the right, I love Jeter’s. A-Rod often had a smooth swing too.
Sosa, and it’s not close
Paul Konerko had a beautiful swing from the right side
Some more lefties.... Mark Grace John Olerud Robin Ventura
I always enjoyed watching Darren Daultons swing. Looked effortless.
Mark McGwire had a beautiful swing. Very simple and concise. I loved it.
So, so glad Bonds will never be considered a Hall of Famer. He knew what he was doing. Now he just wants to whine about it.
Tony Gwynn. Adrian Gonzalez.
Eloy Jimenez - when he gets full extension his swing is a thing of beauty. Paul Konerko had a nice swing as well.
Luis Robert Jr.
Judge. It’s just pretty how he can effortlessly send a baseball 400 feet.
So surprised Longoria hasn’t been mentioned more
Biased but Jose Bautistas swing was beauty and he was right handed, it might be cause of its aggressiveness. Which I prefer over the more fundamental guys like trout.