What are the 5 tools of a Baseball Player?

Last Updated on February 25, 2024

Baseball is a game that we all know needs certain skills and talents. Batting or throwing the ball is not enough; you must have mastered some tools that differentiate you from other players on the field. 

In this blog, I will discuss the five necessary tools that every baseball player should have.

5 Tools of a Baseball Player 

Hitting for Average

The batting average is one of the most important aspects of a baseball player’s toolbox. It simply means consistently hitting a ball, which is something that can distinguish between good and great players. 

A star player usually has a high batting average, so it is good to work on this skill.

Let’s examine Tony Gwynn, Ichiro Suzuki, and other Baseball legends who were amazing at hitting for average. 

These two had an incredible ability to hit for average. Gwynn boasted a career batting average of .338, while Ichiro Suzuki maintained an impressive .311 batting average throughout his career. Undoubtedly, their careers have been brilliant examples of what this tool can do.

Thus, how does someone get better at hitting for average? There are certain drills that may be helpful. One drill called “soft toss” is useful. In it, one partner softly tosses balls toward another partner, who then tries to hit them accurately. 

The second drill is called the “tee drill”. For this drill, the player places the ball over the home plate and swings through it without missing every attempt.

Remember constant practice and determination: it will make you become a good hitter.

Fielding

Another essential tool in a baseball player’s toolbox is fielding. In other words, it involves catching and making throws correctly with promptness. 

A great fielder can convert what would otherwise be an undesirable situation into a routine double play or even pull out a game-saving catch like Ozzie Smith (an acrobatic shortstop) or Roberto Clemente (outstanding right fielder with a bazooka for an arm).

The question now is, how do I become a great fielder? A drill called “ground ball progression” can help. 

For example, players would begin by practicing stationary ground balls, then they gradually move to slow rollers and finally regular speed grounders. 

Another drill that players can use to catch fly balls is “the triangle,” where he or she starts off at the point of an imaginary triangle and races to each corner to catch a sky-high thrown ball.

You can follow my special fielding drills to improve your fielding.

Throwing

Throwing is one of the most essential tools in a player’s baseball toolbox. This part of the game requires accuracy, strength, and control.

The difference between being safe or out is determined by the ability to throw on target and quickly. 

Many players have been able to use this tool for their own advantage, hence creating unforgettable moments in the field.

When you think about great throwers, names like Nolan Ryan and Bob Gibson come into your mind.

A 5714-strikeout total from Ryan makes him famous for his fastball, which cannot be matched by any other person who has ever played baseball. 

Likewise, Gibson’s fastball and slider left hitters helpless. These are some of the players who show how important it is to master throwing as an art.

For those who want to enhance their throwing skills, specific exercises can be very helpful. Long throws are one of them. It means that you throw the ball further away, thus making your arm stronger.

 Another useful exercise is called “Target practice”. You need to hit a specific spot in order to become more accurate. 

Dedication plus effort and these two practices will get you off the bench and keep improving your skills significantly until they become professionalized enough. 

Therefore, take a ball and do not talk anymore; just work out because every toss brings you closer to perfection.

Speed

Speed is one of those things that every baseballer needs in order for them to be complete players. It is what drives baseball forward as a sport in general. 

It is this attribute that allows athletes to steal bases rapidly, turn singles into doubles, or catch fly balls running across the outfield at a high speed. 

Moreover, speed also adds new dimensions to the game as it makes it more thrilling, giving opportunities where there seem to be none.

When you talk about speed, individuals such as Rickey Henderson and Lou Brock readily come into your mind.

 Henderson, who still holds the record for stolen bases today, was known for his lightning quickness. On the same note, Brock was good at stealing bases, which was an electrifying part of his game.

How can speed be improved, then? 

There are many exercises you can do to help you with this. ‘Sprint workouts’ are a must. Explosive speed is increased due to the player’s short maximal burst sprints. 

Another beneficial drill is ‘Resistance Running’. This involves using a parachute or sled to create resistance, forcing the player to work harder and thereby increasing speed. Players can also benefit from drills using an “Agility Ladder” as they improve on footwork and agility.

Consistency and dedication are key in doing these drills. Speed does not come overnight, but it is inevitable with hard work and persistence.

Just get your running shoes on and get going! Every step brings you closer to being a base runner!

Hitting for Power

The fifth most important thing a baseball player can do is hit for power. When a player gets a home run, there is no better feeling in the world. 

A strong hitter not only scores runs but also scares off the other team’s pitchers, making them more careful and more likely to make mistakes. In a moment, this tool can change the way a game looks.

Let’s look at Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Ruth was a powerful player who hit 714 home runs over the course of his career. 

In the same way, Aaron, who was known as “Hammering Hank,” set the record for most home runs hit in a career for 33 years. These players were amazing at hitting hard, and the crowds were amazed by their skill.

To improve your power hitting, you need to do certain drills. One is the “Happy Gilmore” drill. It requires the person to run up to the tee and swing, which uses all of their body’s strength. 

A different one is the “Weighted Bat” drill. When you train, you swing a heavier bat, which makes you stronger. 

Remember that power-hitting isn’t just about being strong; it’s also about how you hit the ball. You will be able to hit the ball farther and harder if you do these drills regularly.

The Sixth Tool: Baseball IQ

Baseball IQ is often referred to as the “sixth tool” for players. 

This means that a player should be able to reason, think strategically, and make the correct decisions. Consequently, physical abilities are important, but a high Baseball IQ is what truly distinguishes a player from another, making him/her a valuable asset in any team. 

It is this particular aspect that separates good players from great ones.

Very few baseball players have ever had the intelligence of Yogi Berra and Joe Morgan when it comes to Baseball IQ. 

Berra was an 18-time All-Star catcher who was known for his ability to manage the game and make correct decisions on the field.

Similarly, Morgan, a skillful second baseman, was popularly known for his strategic thinking and understanding of the game.

Enhancing one’s Baseball IQ calls for different drills to be used. One such drill is ‘Situation Simulation’. Think about this activity as a real game where you recreate game situations and make quick decisions in them. 

Similarly, Video Analysis has been found to be an effective tool too. By watching games and analyzing them, you will know how different strategies are applied, thus improving your decision-making skills.

Remember that developing Baseball IQ takes time and effort. It involves knowing every detail about the sport, understanding it daily, and making prudent choices under pressure situations. 

So grab your gear and immerse yourself in America’s pastime called baseball right now! Every match watched and every situation analyzed brings you closer to being a high Baseball IQ player.

Top 5 Tool Baseball Players in MLB History

• Willie Mays – Arguably the quintessential five-tool player in history, Willie Mays excelled at every phase of the sport. He hit 660 home runs with power while batting .298 over his career. Additionally, he stole 338 bases with exceptional speed during his career, as well as being an outfielder who could field, throw well enough, and hit for average.
• Mickey Mantle – Mickey Mantle was another player who could do it all. His career batting average was .298, while his 536 home runs were indicative of the kind of power he had. Also, a great fielder and excellent speed made him one of the best in the league despite nagging injuries in his career.
• Barry Bonds – Despite everything that has happened in his career, Barry Bonds is an example of a five-tool player. He has an amazing batting average, crushed a record 762 home runs, is known for his outfielding, and became an effective base stealer with 514 stolen bases, as well as possessing a strong arm.
• Ken Griffey Jr. – Known for his infectious grin and backward cap, Ken Griffey Jr. was an exceptional five-tool player. He hit 630 homers, batted .284, and won ten Gold Glove awards during his career, thus proving to be a triple threat on the diamond.
• Hank Aaron – As far as dominance on the field goes, Hank Aaron (the old home run king) remains one of the most accomplished players around. With 755 homers and a .305 career average that is both powerful and good hitting for an average, respectively, he also ran fast, fielded well, and possessed a strong throwing arm.

Final Words 

So. Here are the 5 tools of a baseball player. Do you want to be a professional baseball player? Stop wasting time and start improving these tools now.