Who’s added muscle? Who’s dropped some fat? We’ll tell you which baseball players have shifted some LBs in the offseason. A few of these players may end up having bounce back/break out seasons.
Every year, certain guys show up to spring training in great shape. Many of them have re-dedicated themselves to the weight room, changed their diets, increased their focus on cardio, or improved agility through training. How much does that affect their on-field performance? Probably not that much. I’ve always been interested in the hype surrounding off season work-out routines and compiled a list of players that have worked hard in the offseason.
At first glance, we can be sure that nearly every person on this list has put more time into conditioning. In many cases, there’s a specific issue that has been addressed. A lot of guys work out hard to add power potential. Some guys want to add bulk to help them avoid tailing off at the end of the 162 game season. Others have lost weight to improve mobility and decrease injury risk. But the weight gain or loss has to be taken with a grain of salt. It doesn’t necessarily indicate they will perform at a higher level. Some players, like Jeff Francoeur last year, take the wrong approach and actually decrease their productivity. Adding too much bulk can have a negative effect on play. So you’ll have to take into account the goal and whether or not it makes sense for an individual. This year, Jeff Francoeur appears on the list this year as a guy who lost weight over the winter break.
Players that report to camp in better shape will definitely have more discipline than an average player. These athletes are more likely to avoid injury as well. If you already liked a guy and he appears on this list, he may be worth snagging a bit earlier than you had planned. While it’s not a guarantee, the players on this list will have a great chance at improving on their stats from last year. Feel free to add any guys that I’ve left out in the comments.
DISCLAIMER: I tried to cite mostly “legit” sources like online versions of newspapers rather than blogs. But also take into account the Julio Lugo Effect as documented by The Joy of Sox. Reporters may create/inflate their own stories or get varied answers from a player. Julio Lugo may have gained 5, 10, or 20 pounds. Well, probably not 20.
ROUND FROM POUNDS
These are players that have gained weight this season — but not necessarily due to conditioning. It’s not clear whether that will help or hurt them this season.
Joel Zumaya says he ‘feels more comfortable carrying 250′ than the 230 pounds he weighed last year.
Listed at 5′11″ 247 pounds, Pablo Sandoval appears to be heavier than that weight (despite playing winter ball in Venezuela).
Jose Lopez is “noticeably heavier” because he wanted to be bigger and have more power.
INCREDIBLE BULK
These players have put on weight to increase power or to avoid wearing down. Maybe I’m the only one that thinks so… but this list has substantially less players than years past. Also worth noting is that there are very few 20+ pound gains. The biggest gainer is Hanley Ramirez with about 24 pounds. Will it help him?
Phil Hughes added 8 pounds at API over the offseason.
Carl Crawford is up to 225 from his listed weight of 215.
Hanley Ramirez added 24 lbs of muscle.
Adam Jones went from 215 to 225 after an off-season at Athletes Performance Institute.
Jacoby Ellsbury added 10 pounds at the Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.
Brandon McCarthy added 20 pounds to his 6′7″ frame.
The Jays Adam Lind bulked up to 220 from 200 presumably to DH.
Jered Weaver ‘beefed up’ to 210 (by eating) to add endurance and avoid breakdown
Marcus Giles added 12 pounds of “good weight”.
SLIMMER THUGS
The guys listed below have dropped weight. For pitchers, this is usually to avoid injury or get back to old mechanics. Hitters drop weight for a number of reasons and it doesn’t necessarily indicate a drop in power. I was a little surprised how long this list was. Before I started researching, I assumed that an equal number of guys would try to gain and lose weight.
Ryan Howard is down to 255 from 265 or 270 last year.
David Ortiz has apparently lost 15 lbs. He was rumored to have entered camp last year at around 268.
Brett Myers dropped between 30 and 35 pounds.
Adam Dunn dropped 17 pounds in the offseason.
Travis Hafner ‘weighs 250′ which is ‘10 to 15 pounds less than his normal off-season weight‘.
Felix Hernandez reported at 212, down from his 225 listed weight.
Vernon Wells started offseason workout program and reported to camp 10 pounds lighter.
Jeff Francoeur is down 14 pounds to 226.
Joe Mauer is “5 to 10 pounds” under his 2008 playing weight due to lack of conditioning.
Carlos Zambrano ‘lost 10 to 15 pounds‘ and ‘rediscovered some heat on his fastball’.
Aaron Harang has dropped from 280 to 255.
Matt Capps lost 15 pounds this season and is stronger.
Andruw Jones lost 20 pounds in the offseason.
Ryan Zimmerman’s face is “less fat” and he looks to be “in the best shape of his life”.
Octavio Dotel lost 7 pounds.
Kevin Millwood lost 15 pounds in the offseason.
Jose Contreras lost 30 pounds in the offseason.
Jack Wilson has dropped 15 pounds to weigh in at 190.
Troy Glaus has “shed a few pounds” rehabbing.
Duaner Sanchez is down to 205 from 230.
Billy Butler has lost 10 to 15 pounds from last year and says he’s stronger.
Mike Gonzalez shed 10 to 12 pounds.
Dioner Navarro is down 15 pounds to 205.
Reed Johnson lost 14 pounds in the offseason.
Jays prospect Travis Snider has bulked up with five additional weeks in the weight room and dropped fat with a weight-loss diet.
Mariners prospect Matt Tuiasosopo has dropped 13 pounds to 227.
Marlon Anderson lost 17 pounds in the offseason.
Tom Gorzelanny lost 20 pounds.
Jerome Williams reported to A’s came (as non-roster invitee) at 235. He ballooned to 270 at times and pitched at 230 as a rookie.
Chris Shelton lost 15 pounds.
Ronny Belliard is at least 10 pounds lighter.
Carlos Silva lost 33 pounds.
Randy Messenger shed 30+ pounds.
Luis Castillo is 17 pounds lighter.
Heath Bell dropped 25 pounds thanks to Wii Fit. Seriously.
Dontrelle Willis lost 5 pounds while adding muscle.
Brian Bruney lost ANOTHER 10 pounds in addition to the 25 he lost last offseason.
Nick Swisher says he’s 16 pounds lighter.
Homer Bailey is down to 205 from 215 last season.
Bill Hall says he is 15 pounds lighter than last season.
WORKOUT WARRIORS
I had previously named this section Ultimate Workout Warriors until the WWE contacted our lawyer. These are guys who haven’t necessarily gain or lost weight, but did make an effort to get in better shape. All of these guys train at the Athletes Performance Institute in Arizona.
Josh Hamilton declined a WBC invitation to train at API.
Coco Crisp spent his offseason at API.
Other API alum from this past offseason: Cody Ross, Brian Roberts, Dustin Pedroia, Jonny Gomes, Freddy Sanchez, Andre Ethier and Kevin Frandsen.
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jeff francoeur,
MLB,
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pablo sandoval,
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