Inside scoop: Podsednik isn’t struggling against inside pitches like he did last season. He’s gone from one of the worst against inside pitches to ranked in the top 30 in the majors.
…
Patience pays off: Podsednik has a top-20 first pitch seen percentage. That means he tries to get ahead of pitchers (batters hit almost 150 points higher on average when ahead in the count).
…
Whiff-less ball: Swinging strikes are a waste for hitters. They show a pitcher’s dominance and a hitter’s foolishness more than foul balls, which often prolong at-bats and called strikes. Podsednik is excellent at not whiffing. Of the 22 leadoff hitters in the majors with at least 200 at-bats this season, only two (Juan Pierre and Jacoby Ellsbury) have struck out less than Podsednik (29 K at leadoff). …
He looks at Jim Thome’s fastball problems and Jose Contreras’ magical forkball too.
