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The St. Louis Cardinals received more than just the 2023 Texas League MVP when they traded for Thomas Saggese from the Rangers as part of the Jordan Montgomery deal at last year’s trade deadline. They also acquired a young hitter with a keen understanding of the mechanics of his craft. Saggese, Texas’ fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft from Carlsbad High School in California, aims to get on plane with a pitch and drive it. This ability is made possible by how he positions his body in space.
Despite his appearance as a 5-foot-11, 185-pound middle infielder, Saggese displayed impressive power by hitting 26 home runs in 2023 and 21 more this past season. His knack for hitting has been a key aspect of his prospect status since high school, according to lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen.
At just 22 years old, Saggese put up a modest .253/.313/.438 slash line with Triple-A Memphis. However, the Cardinals see great potential in him. Saggese earned a call-up to the big leagues in September, where he recorded 10 hits, including his first MLB home run, in 52 plate appearances. Saggese, currently playing with the Glendale Desert Dogs, discussed his hitting approach after a recent Arizona Fall League game.
David Laurila: How do you view yourself as a hitter, especially considering your home run numbers?
Thomas Saggese: “I believe my best swings naturally result in balls hit in the air. I think I do a good job of getting the ball airborne and hitting homers. I don’t anticipate anything extraordinary, but I aim to hit 20 home runs each year while maintaining a .300 batting average.”
Laurila: Have you always had a fly ball approach?
Saggese: “It started in high school when I hit my first home run. From then on, hitting homers became a regular occurrence, and I began consistently hitting balls in the air.”
Laurila: Can you describe the mechanics of your swing?
Saggese: “For me, it’s all about body positioning. I strongly believe that the position of my body dictates my bat path. Whether I’m standing upright or slightly hunched over, it influences how I swing. If I’m upright, I swing around my spine, but if I’m a bit hunched over, I create more loft. So, it’s about finding that position for good swings—both line drives and lofted hits.”
Laurila: What is your mindset during your swing?
Saggese: “I focus on a downward path to the ball and almost ‘catching’ it with my top hand. By loading onto my back side and getting a downward motion with my body hunched over, I end up with an uppercut swing, even though it feels like I’m swinging down.”
Laurila: How important is being on plane with the ball for you?
Saggese: “It’s crucial.”
Laurila: Do you work on that often in practice?
Saggese: “Yes, a lot. In the cage, I always work on my body position, hand placement, load, and timing. I pay close attention to my load because it sets the foundation for a successful swing. If I get into the right position, I should be able to handle any pitch and hit backspin line drives.”
Laurila: When did you start honing this hitting approach?
Saggese: “In the past couple of years, especially when I began working with Marlon Byrd during the offseason. He is very detail-oriented and knowledgeable about mechanics. I’ve been working with him on getting into the right position and focusing on pitch recognition when I step on the field.”
Laurila: Why did you decide to play in the Arizona Fall League?
Saggese: “The Cardinals asked me to join before my big league call-up so I could get more at-bats and play more at second base. I’m grateful for the opportunity to play here and continue to develop.”
Laurila: How much have you learned from the veteran hitters in the big leagues?
Saggese: “I’ve had many conversations with them. Being in big league camp during spring training provided me with the chance to talk to players like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Matt Carpenter. They are all willing to share their insights, which has been incredibly valuable to me.”
Laurila: In terms of hitting coaches, do you find working with Marlon Byrd more beneficial than a swing coach?
Saggese: “Definitely. Marlon is more of a hitting coach who comprehends the game and what we’re trying to achieve. He was a successful hitter himself, so he has valuable experience to share. I align with his coaching style because I focus on finding a successful position rather than diving deep into analytics. If I can consistently get into that position, the analytics will naturally follow.”
The full list of “Talks Hitting” interviews can be found here.
