Mitchell takes batting practice before Mets game

It’s safe to say, we’ve seen better swings from Mitchell.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell was on hand to watch the first game of the Subway Series between the New York Mets and New York Yankees on Tuesday evening. Mitchell once again took batting practice before the game which has become a tradition for him when he visits Citi Field.

Far be it from me to break down a baseball swing on a basketball blog, but I don’t think this is Mitchell’s best work. He’s swinging with just his arms in this clip and his lower body is hardly involved.

It’s common for basketball players to not have the swing fundamentals mastered. Baseball has a way of making some of the best athletes in the world look foolish. Mitchell’s cuts on Tuesday weren’t bad, but they weren’t like what we’ve normally seen. He typically has a smooth, lefty swing.

Just take a look at him taking batting practice a few summers ago.

This doesn’t even look like the same person.

The Cavs haven’t played in over a month so maybe I’m just a little too desperate to break something down and overthinking this. However, it seems possible that Mitchell still doesn’t trust his legs as much as he normally would when fully healthy. He missed most of the last third of the regular season and Cleveland’s final three playoff games with a left calf/knee injury.

Mitchell went on to live tweet the Mets 9-7 win over the Yankees.

He then tried to take some credit for Mark Vientos homer in the bottom of the second.

The Mets took a 9-1 lead before the Yankees attempted their comeback. Mitchell tweeted that he would delete his account if Aaron Judge hit a grand slam to make it a two-run game.

Judge called his bluff by launching one into the Yankees’ bullpen. Like most people online, Mitchell showed that he wasn’t actually going to log off.

Mitchell is expected to be formally offered a four-year $209 million extension from the Cavs in the coming days if he hasn’t already. The team is confident that Mitchell will sign that extension. Until then, Mitchell seems content to watch his favorite baseball team continue their hot streak.