Tanner Grant struck fear on the left side of opposing infields as a hard-hitting right-handed batter a year ago. This season, he’s looking to terrorize left fielders and fans who watch Nixa games from beyond the left-field fence.
After hitting for average as a junior, Grant is intent on hitting for more power as a senior.
“I dropped my hands recently so I can have a better launch angle. We should see more balls go out of the park,” he said. “In BP, I've been hitting balls a little higher, after having more line drives last year.
Grant was already productive. He’s coming off a junior season in which he posted a .383 batting average, while scoring 32 runs and driving in 30.
Some of his singles he hopes will now be doubles or home runs.
“I was hitting some lasers last year, but they were low line drives,” Grant said. “If I can hit it up in the air, it will travel easy.
It was Grant’s idea to make the adjustment on where he holds his bat. He reports the change has gone smoothly.
“I noticed I was hitting line drives, so I thought I needed to fix my launch angle so I can get a few more balls out,” he said. “It was not a hard transition.”
Coach Logan Hughes has been happy with what he’s seen out of Grant.
“He's developed his swing into a little bit more of a power option,” Hughes said. “We expect him to hit for some power drive and drive in more runs with extra-base hits. He's going to be fun to watch.
"Tanner is very mature,” Hughes added. “He has a good feel for what he's doing at the plate and how he's going to be pitched.”
Grant reports Hughes, who also serves as Nixa’s batting coach, doesn’t try to overanalyze mechanics with the Eagles’ hitters so as to keep them in a comfortable state of mind in the batter’s box.
“He doesn't tamper with your swing a lot,” Grant said. “He doesn't like to get in your head and have you thinking too much. He likes to let you be free-thinking, be an athlete (and) get lots and lots of reps — pound the machine in BP.”
Another move for Grant involves him switching from third base to first base.
“It's where they needed me,” he said. “There are a lot of guys working at third and there was a spot open (at first). I'm a corner (infield) guy. I've played first before. I played there last summer. It’s been easy transition for me. I’ve always good at scoops and short hops.”
