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If you were watching the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft, one thing stood out:
“Good plate discipline” came up again and again — no matter who was at the mic.
Why? Because a poor understanding of the strike zone is the root cause of many common struggles hitters face in both baseball and softball.
Teams weren’t just chasing power or stats. They were looking for hitters who:
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Control their at-bats
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Don’t expand the zone
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Post a low chase rate (how often a hitter swings at pitches outside the zone)
⚾ MLB First-Rounders With Elite Plate Discipline
Here are just a few first-round MLB picks known for their hitting discipline:
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Eli Willits (#1 overall) – A switch-hitting shortstop with elite zone awareness and rare chase tendencies.
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Andrew Fischer – One of the top college bats, drawing walks in nearly 25% of his plate appearances.
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Ethan Holliday – Big-time power and equally strong at managing the strike zone.
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Gavin Kilen – A smooth left-handed swing with a consistent approach and contact-first mindset.
These players don’t just swing. They execute high-level at-bats, a trait that’s trainable with the right approach.
How to Develop Plate Discipline in Baseball and Softball
Building a low chase rate and mastering strike zone awareness isn’t just about taking pitches. It’s about developing a set of hitting skills that work together.
Here are 5 key elements of strong plate discipline:
✅ Understanding pitch location — Know how inside and outside pitches affect your contact point.
✅ Body and swing awareness — Develop control over your mechanics for better adjustability at the plate.
✅ Quick decision-making — React efficiently by recognizing pitch types early.
✅ Know your hot and cold zones — Be honest about what pitches you handle best.
✅ Hand-eye coordination — Build this through repetition and focused hitting drills.
Train Plate Discipline Using a Batting Tee
If you’ve been part of the Tanner family for a while, you already know: we believe in training plate discipline at all levels — youth, high school, college, and pro.
And one of the most effective tools to develop it? The batting tee.
Here’s why:
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You can isolate contact points by setting up different pitch locations.
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You can simulate game-like zones and reinforce proper swing decisions.
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You can build muscle memory and timing, one rep at a time.
Whether you're a baseball or softball hitter, the tee is one of the best ways to train zone control — and it translates directly into better results in games.
Build Better Hitters with Tanner
We build tools that help players at every level:
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Sharpen plate discipline
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Improve swing mechanics
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Maximize training reps at home, on the field, or in the cage
Baseball Training Equipment to Build Plate Awareness
If you're serious about improving plate discipline and strike zone awareness, the right baseball and softball training tools can make a huge difference.
At Tanner, we've designed our equipment to help hitters of all ages train smarter and build skills that translate directly to game performance. Here are four must-have tools to support your development:
⚫ Tanner Tee – The Original
Trusted by pros, coaches, and everyday hitters for 30 years.
This is the tee that started it all — known for its durability, adjustability, and precise ball presentation. The Tanner Tee Original helps you isolate pitch locations and work on consistent contact across the zone.
Great for:
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Practicing inside/outside pitch timing
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Groove your swing path
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Developing repeatable mechanics and muscle memory
⚫ Tanner Heavy
Our premium tee with weighted base for extra stability.
Built for high-rep training, the Tanner Heavy is ideal for power hitters, coaches and serious athletes. Its weighted base keeps the tee stable even during explosive swings and on uneven surfaces — great for zone work, repetitive drills and teams/facilities.
Great for:
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Indoor or outdoor training
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Teaching players to stay balanced in their swing
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Plate awareness drills at game intensity
⚫ Tanner Hitting Deck
Visual training for plate coverage, pitch zones, and foot placement.
The Hitting Deck is a full-size mat that teaches hitters where to stand and how to attack different pitch zones. It includes clearly marked pitch locations to reinforce contact point awareness and strike zone strategy.
Great for:
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Youth, high school, or college training
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Coaches teaching approach and zone targeting
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Consistent setup for every rep
⚫Tanner Trackpad
A compact and portable zone-awareness tool.
The Trackpad helps hitters build internal awareness of where the plate is and how to attack pitches by location. Designed to simulate pitch zones and promote consistent footwork and setup — even in small spaces.
Great for:
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Indoor tee work
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On-the-go training
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Pairing with any Tanner Tee for instant feedback