Brandon Belt gets shifted all the time and it's been interesting to see how/when he beats the shift. Sometimes there will be a huge opening, which would allow him to hit toward the opposite field.
Usually a team will pitch to the shift though. Ex. if the shift is to the left side on a right handed batter they're not going to throw him a fastball on the outside corner. And it's much harder to take an inside pitch to the opposite field. Then again, a good hitter will recognize this, set up for the inside pitch, and launch it over the fence.
More than once, David Ortiz reached on a bunt in the shift. (For those unaware, he's a large man who is not known for his speed).
It was arguably a net loss to have him bunt though, as a medium chance of a single might not make up for the loss of the extra-bases he would hit for otherwise.
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Brandon Belt gets shifted all the time and it's been interesting to see how/when he beats the shift. Sometimes there will be a huge opening, which would allow him to hit toward the opposite field.
Usually a team will pitch to the shift though. Ex. if the shift is to the left side on a right handed batter they're not going to throw him a fastball on the outside corner. And it's much harder to take an inside pitch to the opposite field. Then again, a good hitter will recognize this, set up for the inside pitch, and launch it over the fence.
More than once, David Ortiz reached on a bunt in the shift. (For those unaware, he's a large man who is not known for his speed).
It was arguably a net loss to have him bunt though, as a medium chance of a single might not make up for the loss of the extra-bases he would hit for otherwise.