Professional baseball players that are easy to imitate: a compilation of batting stance impressions
If you like baseball, chances are you’ve tried imitating a pro player’s form at least once, right?
Batting stances are a classic for impressions, and copying not only the most imitated players but also those with distinctive forms can really liven things up!
In this article, we’ll focus on batting forms and introduce a lineup of players who are easy to mimic as well as those with particularly unique stances.
We’ve selected a variety of players regardless of era or nationality, so feel free to use this as a reference!
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Professional baseball players that are easy to impersonate: A roundup of batting stance impressions (21–30)
Yuki Yanagita
A centerpiece of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks who captivates baseball fans with his overwhelming full swing, Yuki Yanagita.
Often called the strongest hitter in Japanese baseball, his prowess is dazzling in every respect: a high batting average, Triple-Three seasons, and towering home runs.
I’m sure mimicking Yanagita’s batting form will get any crowd going! While his stance can feel fairly orthodox, the movements as he goes into the swing seem to be where his most distinctive traits show.
It’s almost like he tucks his elbows and smoothly clears the zone.
When he swings the bat, it’s striking how his lower body line doesn’t bend much, yet he follows through with a bold, expansive cut.
Wladimir Balentien
Wladimir Balentien of the Yakult Swallows hit 60 home runs, surpassing Sadaharu Oh’s single-season record.
With his outstanding power, he led the team, and his batting form is highly distinctive—perfect for imitation.
The key points are to gently sway the bat as you wait, and to give it small, quick wiggles when you lift your front leg to time the pitch.
The smooth, clean “scone!”-like whip of his rotational swing and his follow-through are also signature Balentien elements, so keep practicing and give it a try!
Tony Batista
Batting stances vary from person to person and are fascinating, aren’t they? Among them, one that really stands out is Batista, who played for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.
Not only does he tilt the bat back so far it points toward himself, but when he really settles into his stance, his upper body leans to nearly 45 degrees relative to the ground—a major hallmark of his form.
Another key point is that before he sets, he keeps the bat laid down and facing forward.
If you then slide sideways from there into the swing, it’s easier to capture his distinctive feel.
Eisho Fukuda
Nagamasa Fukuda had a long and successful career with the Chunichi Dragons and has deep ties to the team, serving as a coach after retirement as well.
His routine flows from setting the bat upright and drawing his whole body back into a relaxed stance, then unleashing full-body power to strike the ball.
It’s been described as a variant of the “shrine priest” batting style, with him taking his timing by slowly rocking his entire body.
The bat toss after he hits for extra bases is also a trademark of Fukuda—be sure to picture him lofting it lightly and high into the air.
Tyler Austin
Among players who have excelled in Japanese baseball since 2020, Austin is someone I’d recommend for impressions even if he doesn’t give off a flashy vibe.
In 2024, he stands out for his contribution to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars’ run to a Japan Series title.
Austin, who also posted excellent metrics in MLB for “barrels,” an indicator closely tied to home runs, has a batting form that feels like a single, sturdy trunk.
He tilts his head and upper body slightly on a diagonal and sets his shins at roughly the same angle.
When he gets his timing, he keeps the upper-body angle as is and stands the bat vertically—this is a key characteristic.
Try finishing your swing compactly and sharply!
Tatsuhiko Kinjo
There are definitely aspects that make it easier to imitate and easier for viewers to understand precisely because they’re different from the norm.
One player with such a distinctive form is Takahiko Kinjo, who played for the Yokohama BayStars and Yomiuri Giants.
He excelled as a switch hitter, batting from both sides.
He set up with his upper body facing almost toward the pitcher and took his timing with a leg kick.
In the swing, it might be good to imitate the image of keeping the bat nearly vertical and bringing it down from above on a slight diagonal to pick up the ball.
I think it’s a unique form.
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis is a player who played in MLB for teams such as the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, and also made an impact with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Rather than batting average or home run totals, his hallmark was his high on-base percentage, and he was known for his excellent plate discipline.
His slow, deliberate rhythm—as if he were timing the pitch—and the distinctive hand position that allowed him to switch between various swings are particularly memorable.
Adding analysis about which pitches he targeted and how he approached each swing would help convey the atmosphere even more vividly.