Searching For His Stroke
LaRoche Still Struggling To Avoid Slow Starts
By Joe Giardina

As he stepped into the box Opening Night against the Atlanta Braves, Pirates' first baseman Adam LaRoche attempted to put last seasons' struggles behind him. And it seemed he did, lining back-to-back base hits to right field in his first two plate appearances. But alas, it was still March, and as the calendar turned to April, he went hitless in his next 25 at bats.

"For whatever reason, the first half is kind of a struggle," LaRoche said. "And then I break out of it and have a good second half. I'm trying to get that turned around now." But still, LaRoche doesn't consider himself a second half hitter, despite what his numbers may suggest. Over the final 77 games last season, he hit .326, 12th best in all of baseball. And in an attempt to become more consistent year round, and to avoid the struggles that plagued him early on last year, he revamped his off season workout. No longer did he take swings simply to keep his hands in shape.

"I think I took more quality swings," the 28-year-old lefty said. "There were little things I was working on instead of just going up swinging to get in shape. I was just trying to be a little more prepared."

Last April, LaRoche hit a much documented .133 while striking out 30 times. But thanks to a strong second half in which he hit .312-including a .348 average during August-the former Brave finished at a much more respectable .272. And with 21 home runs and 88 RBI, it would seem the potential was there for a breakout 2008. That is, if he could avoid his April woes this time around.

So far this year that hasn't been the case. His average has hovered around the .150 mark, and he has recorded only one hit with two strikes on him, unacceptable numbers for a middle of the lineup hitter.

"I'm seeing [the ball] good still," he said. "I'm just missing some pitches to hit, and on top of that I'm getting some tough pitchers pitches. That's the way it goes, when you're struggling you don't get those pitches right down the middle like you do when you're locked in."

What shouldn't be lost in the shuffle is LaRoche's health. He battled a virus during the second week of the season and it affected his play. But still, LaRoche is no stranger to slow starts. In Atlanta, he never had an average higher than .214 during the month of April. And very rarely was he relied on as the top run producer in a lineup with Andruw and Chipper Jones. In fact, his numbers reflect that he is a better hitter lower in the lineup. For his career, while batting sixth or seventh, he has hit at a .303 average. But while batting in the middle of the order, he has a .263 average.

Yet no matter where he bats in the lineup, or how he fared at the plate the night before, LaRoche said his routine to each game rarely changes.

"Most days I'll go in and take a thirty minute nap, which most guys don't do," he said. "It just helps me to get reenergized."

And if he is struggling, he may take a few more swings in the cages before the game, or get a little more work in off the tee in the Pirates' indoor batting cage. But he doesn't change his mechanics at the plate.

A hitter's swing is as delicate a tool in all of sports. Move your foot an inch closer to the plate and get sawed off for a weak pop up. Step back an inch, and hit a cue shot to the first baseman. A fraction of a second can mean the difference between a .300 hitter and someone who hovers around the Mendoza line.

"Most times when you're struggling, you're just not SEEING the ball," LaRoche said. "It's nothing physical, 95% of the time it's not your swing, it's just your mental approach at the plate."

Slumps happen in baseball. Even the greats have them. And at the end of the season, LaRoche's numbers will probably be there. He will hit his share of homeruns and drive in nearly 100. But for the Pirates it might not matter. If they hope to have any success now, or in the near future, they need LaRoche to produce in the early months.

The Red Sox can afford to have David Ortiz struggle to get on base. Even the Brewers can afford to have Prince Fielder labor to drive the ball. But for the Pirates, they need LaRoche to hit from April to September if they ever want to play in October. They cannot afford to get buried in the standings before May.

LaRoche is confident that his timing is there, and the numbers will follow soon.

"I actually feel a lot better right now than I did last year," he said. "My average doesn't show it but I feel like I have a better approach. It's coming."