Minor league baseball players are accomplished professionals who may be just a step or two away from playing in the major leagues. Many of these players have skills that match major league players, but they need just a bit of refinement or experience to advance to the next level. Drills can help improve their level of play.
Hit-and-Run Drill
When players are trying to step up their game at the minor league level, they need to show they can handle the bat on the hit-and-run drill. When the manager calls for the hit-and-run play, the runner on first base takes off for second base. When the second baseman leaves his position to cover second, the batter is supposed to drive the ball through the spot vacated by the second baseman. A hit-and-run single will almost always result in the runner going to third base. This is an excellent scoring opportunity. In this drill, give the batter 10 pitches. A right-handed hitter will try to drive the ball through the second-base hole while a left-handed batter will try to drive the ball through the spot that had been occupied by the shortstop.
1-2-3 Drill
In this drill, you must show you can handle the ball on the infield and make all the plays that are demanded. On the first ground ball, you throw to first base. On the second ground ball, you throw to second as if you were getting a force play on the runner moving from first to second. On the third ground ball, the fielder throws home as if he were getting the runner at the plate.
Outfield Drill
One of the keys to playing excellent defense at the professional level is for the outfielders to hit the cutoff man after they field the ball in the gaps. Even the strongest throwers are not going to be able to reach third base and home plate from the deepest spots on the outfield. They must find and hit their cutoff men with hard, low throws. In this drill, your outfielders are stationed in centerfield. Hit each outfielder three balls to right centerfield and three balls to left centerfield. The outfielder must get the ball on a line to the cutoff man after each throw. The balls hit to right-center will be thrown to the cutoff man to the right of second base. The balls hit to left centerfield will be hit to the cutoff man to the left of second base.
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