Xander Bogaerts Revitalizes Offense With Secret Split-Grip Adjustment

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts turned around the worst offensive season of his career by implementing a split-grip batting adjustment suggested by the coaching staff in mid-September. The technique separates his hands by 1-2 inches, improving bat control and lifting the ball. After hitting just .167 in July, Bogaerts surged in September with a .904 OPS to help power the Padres into the postseason for a third straight year, though he remains reluctant to discuss the mechanical shift.