http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3077774 March 10, 2005, 1:02AM Jimerson deals with hole truth Tutelage from Gwynn helps outfielder improve plate coverage By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - Athleticism had been enough for most of Charlton Jimerson's life. Since Little League, he would show up at a baseball field and succeed on sheer natural ability. The Astros saw something special in Jimerson in 1997, when they drafted him in the 24th round out of Mount Eden (Calif.) High School. He signed with the University of Miami instead and helped the Hurricanes win the 2001 College World Series before graduating. The Astros drafted Jimerson again in the fifth round of the June 2001 draft, and he steadily worked his way through the farm system before finally realizing that athletic ability alone is not enough in baseball. "There were things that major-league hitters do that I wasn't doing," he said. Tired of covering only one-third of the plate, Jimerson overhauled his batting stance after hitting .238 with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs with 163 strikeouts over 131 games at Class AA Round Rock last season. "The inner third of the plate, if there was anything that wasn't thrown in that zone, I wouldn't hit," he said. "Maybe I'd hit it for a week or so or a game or so, but overall it was obviously exposed at the Double-A level. "As the year progressed, it just made it more and more apparent I could only hit the inner third of the plate. This (overhaul) really allowed me to hit the ball harder and more efficiently to right field." Too many K's In 404 games over four minor-league seasons, Jimerson has struck out 519 times . He has drawn only 110 walks. Fortunately for Jimerson, he might have caught a career-altering break while playing with Scottsdale in the 2004 Arizona Fall League. One of his teammates was Anthony Gwynn, a top Brewers prospect who happens to be the son of future Hall of Famer and hitting genius Tony Gwynn. Jimerson and AnthonyGwynn developed a friendship quickly, and Tony Gwynn invited both to the batting cage for a special tutorial after one of Scottsdale's November games. "He saw where I was and kind of laughed at where I needed to be," Jimerson said of the elder Gwynn. "A couple of days later, he sent an invitation out through his son to come out in the offseason and work on getting better." Jimerson, who lives in Miami, paid his own way to San Diego and spent three weeks at Anthony Gwynn's home. Together, they would spend the mornings at San Diego State, where Tony Gwynn coaches his alma mater's baseball team. VIP treatment "I didn't really realize that you can't just show up and hit there at San Diego State with Mr. Gwynn," Jimerson said with a chuckle. "It's like an RSVP for a ball or some black-tie affair. No one can just walk up and hit. It was really special for him to take an hour or two hours of his day while coaching to really work with guys that are at the professional level. "He took interest in helping me get to where I need to get, which is obviously being a major-league hitter." Gwynn would end each tutorial by showing his son and Jimerson a highlight tape of his career, but he adamantly urged the two to find a comfortable swing that fit them. Because of the hole in his swing last year, Jimerson struggled to hit breaking balls and fastballs outside. To make up for that hole, he committed to pitches earlier than hitters who can cover all parts of the plate comfortably. He would often be out in front of breaking balls because he had expected a fastball. "Now I have a better understanding of what I need to do and what needs to remain constant in order to be consistent," Jimerson said. "They talk about being a more consistent hitter ?well, some stuff has to remain constant to be consistent. You definitely have to stay balanced, be in a good hitting position where you can read the pitch, and I think you have to take your swing where you can cover all areas of the zone so that you're not surprised or not beat on any pitch." Hero for a day Jimerson's improvements are noticeable this spring, and he hasn't been fooled often by breaking pitches. Not needing to compensate for an inability to hit outside pitches, he has been able to read off-speed pitches well. In the Astros' first exhibition victory, Indians pitcher Fernando Cabrera tried to slip a second consecutive slider by him. Jimerson was patient enough to read the pitch, pouncing on the slider for a double. He eventually scored the winning run. "He's been real good, as a matter of fact," manager Phil Garner said of Jimerson. "I'm liking what I'm seeing." --

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