Kevin Long Still Confident McCann Can Turn Things Around

Mar 1, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Brian McCann (34) talks with batting coach Kevin Long (54) prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Even though 7-time All-Star Brian McCann has yet to live up to the expectations that come along with a 5-year, $85 million dollar contract, the veteran backstop doesn’t seem to be bothered by his season-long slump thus far:

"“No, it’s tough on anybody when they aren’t playing the way they should be playing.”"

(h/t George A. King III, New York Post)

Yankees’ hitting coach Kevin Long says it happens to the best of hitters, but remains confident that once McCann gets on a roll, things will work themselves out:

"“It seems to happen when he has a couple of good at-bats and then for whatever reason, he will have an at-bat that doesn’t go so well and it will affect him and get to him a little bit…I certainly understand. The biggest thing with McCann is when he has had some good at-bats and doesn’t get rewarded and then he has a bad one and it seems to snowball.’’ ~Yankees’ hitting coach Kevin Long"

Long believes that with some of the at-bats he has seen from McCann recently, that things will move in the right direction. McCann has shown flashes of solid plate appearances, driving in runs when the Yankees need it, but it’s been a battle of consistency, and beating the implemented shifts that almost every team the Yankees face put into play when McCann steps to the plate.

McCann has had slow starts before in his previous home of Atlanta, but the pressure cooker of New York is a whole different creature than a relaxed southern city. Unlike fellow free agent signee Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann is fully healthy, and expects that with his continued approach and work ethic, he’ll get into his groove sooner rather than later.