Q&A with Cleveland coach Van Burkleo

Cleveland’s bats have experienced a plethora of highs and lows over the first six weeks of the season. And although its offense can be streaky, it played a big part in the team going 13-4 over its last 17 games. What helped them get there?

Indians hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo joined a Zoom call with local reporters on Saturday to discuss the team’s improving offense after a cold start to the season.

Q: What went into the decision to get rid of Andrés Giménez’s leg kick?

Van Burkleo: “Yeah, he started using a leg kick with the Mets. That was something that they put in just looking to maybe find a little more power in there. And I don't think he ever really got that comfortable with it. He tends to get a little over-rotated with it. … I think eliminating the leg kick will help him. He's had an opportunity to work on it outside of competition for a couple of days, and it looks good.”

Q: Has José Ramírez worked on anything specific to improve his consistency at the plate?

Van Burkleo: “No, I mean, José is really a solid hitter. He's one of those guys that has really good bat-to-ball skills. He knows how to handle the inside half of the plate, so if guys do try to pound him in, he can do something with it and end up doing some damage with it. He's got a good feel for getting the barrel to the ball. … He's not only got some nice power, but he's also a really good hitter and a smart hitter.”

Q: Is there any concern with the fact that Ramírez has hit 10 of his 11 homers from the left side of the plate?

Van Burkleo: “I mean, as a switch-hitter, you’re constantly working on two swings, and sometimes both sides don’t feel great. But he’s a real good hitter right-handed, as well, and I think he’s gonna get hot right-handed.”

Q: Josh Naylor has gotten himself in a nice offensive groove over the last two weeks. What’s the biggest difference for him between now and April?

Van Burkleo: “I think early on he was trying to do too much. His swing was getting big. His approach was more all or nothing. His batting practices were not as concise as they are now. … I think he's made some physical adjustments. I think there's been some mental adjustments. He's using the whole field more. His plate discipline is growing. One of his biggest strengths is his aggressive mindset, and you never want take that away from him. But it also gets him in trouble at times. So I think he's growing as a hitter, and I think we'll continue to see improvement. I like where he's at right now and I'm really encouraged over the last two weeks to see the progress with him, and other guys, too."

Q: What has helped Amed Rosario have a much better May so far than he had in April?

Van Burkleo: “I think he’s had a little better luck. Last month, he really had a lot of balls that he did hit hard and wasn’t having much success, which factors into your numbers when you don’t have a lot of at-bats. But I think his ability to stay to the right side of the field and stay on the ball and drive the ball that way, not that he wasn’t last month as much, it’s just he hit a lot of hard ground balls last month and now he’s getting a lot more line drives that way. His plate discipline has been a little better.”

Q: This roster is so young, but how impressed have you been with the offense’s resiliency despite what its already had to overcome so far?

Van Burkleo: “I would say the fight and the heart in these guys being so young and the fearlessness of, you know, they just keep coming at them and keep battling. I’d say that’s been real impressive from a group of young guys that don’t put their tail between their legs and run away. They just keep taking the next challenge and bring it right back at them. There’s not a whole lot of quit in them, regardless of how tough the day may be. It’s been fun and it’s been a sign of what kind of character and makeup that these guys have.”