March 01--MESA, Ariz. -- The exhibition season won't start until Thursday, but third baseman Mike Olt feels a lot better about his changes this spring.
Olt, who hurried from a sore shoulder to make the 2014 opening day roster before struggling miserably at the plate, is encouraged by several changes he made at the plate that were designed to cut down on his 100 strikeouts in 225 at-bats last season.
"I had a very long swing, but very short in a weird way," Olt said Sunday. "It was in and out of the zone quickly. We've worked on that a lot in the off-season. I'm pretty surprised to how well the adjustments are carrying over to live batting practice, which is a good thing.
Olt said his bat path is more direct to the ball. "My leg kick isn't as high. The leg kick was getting me screwed up last year. A lot of things had to go into getting it back on track."
In addition to the alterations at the plate, Olt will work out in the outfield as well as first base. Olt played two games in right field for the Texas Rangers in 2012 but feels comfortable.
"Whatever makes me more versatile," Olt said.
