Baseball has always been a game that welcomes all types of physical stature, and one comparison that paints this better is between José Altuve and Aaron Judge. You have these two players in the same field, in the same league, which makes it seem like they play completely different sports. One player is small, lightning-quick, while the other player is huge, powerful, but both are supreme in their abilities.
Their size difference has become a conversation topic between the fans and commentators, because while both players are great, it goes to show that there isn’t one size fit all when it comes to MLB. In this case, baseball really does seem like a game of inches, or feet.
Jose Altuve and the power of a compact frame
José Altuve is about 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is relatively short for an everyday player in today's MLB. When Altuve was a young player, his height was a concern and a question mark. Could a player so short handle major-league stuff? Altuve silenced doubters about his size by swinging harder, turning a quick trigger, and showing the world that size is not an issue because leverage is more important than height.
A low center of gravity makes it easier for him to deliver surprise power and maintain excellent balance as he waits for pitches to arrive.
A quick set of hands with fast-twitch muscles enables Altuve to convert internal pitches into line drives and home runs. However, his small stature yields speed and quickness both defensively and on the bases.
In a sport that can sometimes chase after giant hitters, there is no doubt that a player like Altuve stands as a shining example that greatness doesn’t require extra inches but extra effort and impeccable timing.
Aaron Judge and the advantage of towering presence
Aaron Judge has an intimidating presence at an astonishing 6 feet 7 inches. He is undoubtedly one of the tallest position players ever to play in Major League Baseball. As soon as he stepped up to home plate, it was obvious that everything inside and outside that zone changes, both for Judge and for pitchers. The presence of Judge offers so much natural power to swing his bat and send the ball soaring into the stands. However, Judge’s success does not simply depend on his size. To be able to handle his large body, Judge must be agile and well-coordinated. He has worked on his swing to ensure that it is not too large and is instead be efficient.
Looking at both Altuve and Judge, there is quite a discrepancy in their height difference of nearly a full foot. But in both cases, there is merely one possible conclusion and that is of playing at an MVP level. One does it in style and finesse, and the other through brute force and extended reach. But at the end of it all, it does not matter what height you are. It matters whether you can hit when the ball comes to you.
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