Cubs coach opens up

Cubs fans searching for answers about the team's hitting slump might want to listen to Von Joshua, the club's new hitting coach.

Joshua shared his insight after the Cubs' latest disappointing defeat Tuesday. His observations provided some refreshing substance after months of shoulder shrugs from players and vague assertions that the team would start to hit well eventually.

"Maybe it's unconscious or whatever, but it seems like everyone is trying to hit the ball out of the ballpark," Joshua said. "I'm just trying to get the guys to relax and just hit the ball where it's pitched, and not try to pull everything. That's the biggest thing I see."

Milton Bradley's season-long slump, particularly from the left side, has symbolized much of the team's failure to live up to expectations in 2009. Bradley started to hit well in recent weeks but struggled in the Cubs series loss to the Braves.

Joshua said Bradley's left-handed technique was out of whack. He featured an open stance on the lower half of his body and a closed stance on the upper half of his body, Joshua said.

"You can read his whole name on his back before he starts his rotation," Joshua said. "You can't hit like that. ... He can't see the pitch."

Bradley's right-handed stance was fine, Joshua said.

"You can't match your left side to your right side," he said. "I think that's what Milton tries to do, but you can't do that. It's two different swings."

Another struggling hitter, Alfonso Soriano, seemed closer to finding success.

"Sori has showed signs," Joshua said. "In batting practice, he shows signs that he's coming out of it, and he feels upbeat. I think Sori will come out of it, but I'm a little concerned about Milt on his left side."

Joshua admitted that it was tough for hitters to break bad habits at the big league level. But the Cubs don't have any other choice if they want to contend.

"I can't hit for them," Joshua said. "All I can do is give them the message."

Once Bradley, Soriano and other veterans start to hear the message, younger players might follow suit with timely hits of their own.