{"id":662458,"date":"2026-04-04T08:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T08:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662458\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T08:44:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T08:44:16","slug":"rangers-brandon-nimmo-explains-origins-of-on-deck-sledgehammer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/662458\/","title":{"rendered":"Rangers\u2019 Brandon Nimmo Explains Origins of On-Deck Sledgehammer"},"content":{"rendered":"

ARLINGTON, Texas \u2014 Brandon Nimmo<\/a> isn\u2019t available to help with home improvement projects. But there\u2019s a reason the Texas Rangers<\/a> outfielder uses it.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s discussed his use of the sledgehammer before with Rangers Sports Network. Turns out, it\u2019s a relatively new part of his at-bat prep. And he has a former New York Mets teammate to thank for the ritual.<\/p>\n

\u201cPete [Alonso] started using it at the beginning of the season,\u201d Nimmo<\/a> said. \u201cI was watching him do his work and watching him use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

What happened next surprised Nimmo \u2014 and it\u2019s why keeps using it.<\/p>\n

Brandon Nimmo\u2019s Sledgehammer<\/p>\n

Have you seen Brandon Nimmo with a sledgehammer in the on deck circle? <\/p>\n

He told @JaredSandler<\/a> the origins and the thought process behind it: pic.twitter.com\/sQYXjHgyVp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Rangers Sports Network (@RangersSNtv) April 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Turns out, Nimmo likes what are called \u201coverload bats,\u201d which are bats that carry a little more weight than the standard. Turns out swinging an eight-pound sledgehammer a few times changes one\u2019s perspective about a baseball bat. <\/p>\n

\u201cI picked it up and started swinging it around for a little bit and then I grabbed my bat,\u201d Nimmo said. \u201cAnd I was like, \u2018Dang, this thing feels like a toothpick after that.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n

Nimmo said it helped him better prepare for the at-bat. He\u2019s used the typical weights in the on-deck circle, which fit around the barrel of the bat and give it more weight. But that\u2019s nothing like a sledgehammer with an axe handle grip, which is similar to the grip that Nimmo has on his bats. <\/p>\n

He was expecting his swing to be a little faster after using the sledgehammer. But he got an added benefit he wasn\u2019t expecting. <\/p>\n

\u201cIf you can move heavier things, then you will cut the fat out of your swing naturally,\u201d he said. \u201cYou have to in order to be more efficient to move a heavier object.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nimmo said that the sledgehammer is free for anyone to use. No one has really taken to it consistently, though left fielder Wyatt Langford did pick it up briefly during the road trip. For now, it seems to be a habit specific to Nimmo and his routine. <\/p>\n

One can\u2019t argue with the results so far. After the road trip he was batting .360 with one home run and four RBI. His play helped contribute to a 4-2 road trip. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great start,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd you know that there\u2019s going to be ups and downs, but you just want to try and take care of what you can take care of that day. It\u2019s great to have the good start and we know what this team is capable of.\u201d <\/p>\n