Interview with Brewers Hitting Coordinator, Brenton Del Chiaro

[homer]

Really interesting read. 

[homer]

Quote

We've set up a really great training environment, where the traditional batting practice arm at 55 to 60 miles an hour has become more of a treat. It happens very rarely at most of our levels. A lot of our batting practice will be pitching machines at high velocity or different angles or we’ll use duel machines. 

I think people were asking about this last year after the Giants' use of such machines became public.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO posted July 6th: Ahead of the Curve Podcast with Jonathan Gelnar

Brenton Del Chiaro is in his sixth season with the Brewers and first in his current role as hitting coordinator after spending the previous two seasons as assistant hitting coordinator.

He joined the organization in 2016 as a hitting coach with the Arizona Brewers, a role he continued through the 2021 season in addition to his duties as assistant hitting coordinator.

Prior to joining the organization, Del Chiaro spent nine seasons (2008-16) with the Los Angeles Angels organization. This included roles as a coach at Rookie Orem (2008), hitting coach (2009-10) and manager (2011) at Class-A Cedar Rapids, manager with the Rookie Arizona Angels (2012), hitting coach at Class-A Inland Empire (2013-15) and hitting coach at Double-A Arkansas (2016). He also spent time with the Major League team as a bullpen catcher in 2007 after retiring following a seven-year playing career in the Angels system (2001-07).

On the show we discuss his role as a hitting coordinator, we talk hitting environment, and how he goes about having conversations when making swing changes.

Time Stamps

01:00- Mike Trout

07:30- Role of a hitting coordinator

13:00- Training Environment

21:30- What are some of the first things you do when evaluating what a player needs to work on?

30:00- Conversations when making swing changes

36:30- Gameplanning and approach

42:20- In dugout conversations

54:40- Quick Hitters