Curtis Mead finds success after simplifying swing and routine
The 25-year-old Australian outfielder improved his major-league hitting after cutting back on pre-game tweaks and adopting a more compact stance, leading to a breakout season with Washington before joining Boston.
Curtis Mead, a 25-year-old Australian outfielder, turned a modest major-league start into a breakout year after simplifying his batting routine and stance. The former top prospect had posted strong minor-league numbers, hitting .321/.378/.533 in 2021 and .298/.390/.532 in 2022, but his first 152 big-league games produced only a .238/.300/.317 line.
Mead had experimented with his posture, leg width and bat positioning, which he later said caused inconsistency. After a trade to the White Sox in 2025 and a designation for assignment, he worked with Washington’s hitting coaches to reduce pre-swing movement and adopt a more upright, slightly open stance with his feet closer together. The adjustments moved his hands lower and brought his swing closer to the plate, giving him more time to see pitches.
"I’m trying to just stay out of my own way, keep it as compact as possible," Mead said, adding that pitchers were throwing harder and he needed a more direct swing.
The changes resulted in better contact and more power, helping Mead earn a regular role. Former Rays farm director Butera, who first met Mead in the Australian Winter League, praised the improvement.
"He’s always tinkered. I think the biggest thing he needed was to stop tinkering at the major-league level," Butera said.
Mead’s resurgence caught the attention of the Nationals, who acquired him after his White Sox stint, and he later signed with Boston, viewing the opportunity as the fulfillment of his long-held potential.