Alex Gordon. Baseball Player Mechanics Analysis - Kansas City Royals.


The analysis of some aspects of the technique can help to explain the athlete’s performance, injuries and his/her future possibilities. With the information that I present in this blog I’m not intended to replace a scientifically organized evaluation process, but just to play with the available information.

Mr. Gordon presents history of injuries in his right lower body including the tight an hip (that ended in a labrum surgery in 2009). Is reported also some days of DL for low back stiffness and soreness. Also his right shoulder seems to present recurrent problems.

His running technique shows hyper extension of the knees before landing with the heels in front of the body. This technique creates stopping forces and stress at the knee and hip levels.
Knee hyper extension. Landing in front of the body with heel
Knee hyper extension. Landing in front of the body with heel
Almost complete extension of the knee during push off
Knee hyper extension. Landing in front of the body with heel
Complete extension of the knee during push off
Knee hyper extension. Landing in front of the body with heel

While batting, his lower body remains permanently in the same initial position. This lack of hip rotation creates hyper extension of the lower back, and torque at the right knee and hip levels at the end of the cycle (possible reason of labrum damage?). His right shoulder is hyper extended also at the end of the batting movement, increasing compressive forces in the back of the joint.

Initial position
Lower back maintains the initial position after batting. Shoulder under contraction creating concentric forces
Lower back and hip maintain the initial position after batting. Upper body did not rotate enough increasing the necessity of the right arm's extra effort
The lack of lower body rotation creates hype extension in the lower back at the end of the cycle. Hyper extension of the right shoulder is observed also
Conclusions: High risk of recurrence of injuries at the right knee and hip level. Moderate risk f injury in  the right shoulder and lower back.

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