NEW YORK -- Jacoby Ellsbury set a Major League record for catcher's interferences in a single season last year. Though it seemed to be an unorthodox way to get on base, Yankees hitting coach Alan Cockrell believes that eliminating those could be key to unlocking better performance from the veteran outfielder.
Ellsbury's swing clipped a catcher's glove 12 times in 2016, surpassing Roberto Kelly's eight in 1992 for the most in a single season. While opponents took note of Ellsbury's tendencies, warning their backstops to set up slightly deeper, Cockrell sees it as a warning sign of a larger issue.