Looking to add more power to your swing? Discover 10 proven training drills that will help baseball players of all levels increase their exit velocity, bat speed, and overall hitting performance.
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These drills are designed to enhance not only your strength but also your agility at the plate. Incorporating quickness drills into your training routine will help you react faster to pitches, allowing for better timing and improved swing mechanics. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these techniques will elevate your game and maximize your potential.

10 Power-Building Drills to Boost Your Baseball Exit Velocity

Every baseball player dreams of that perfect swing—the one that sends the ball sailing over the fence or creates that distinctive crack of the bat that makes fielders scramble. Behind those monster hits is a key metric that separates good hitters from great ones: exit velocity. At BaseballTips.com, we’ve spent over two decades helping players of all levels develop their skills, and we’ve compiled these 10 power-building drills that have consistently helped our community add measurable mph to their swings.

What Is Exit Velocity and Why Does It Matter?

Exit velocity measures how fast the ball travels after making contact with the bat. Higher exit velocity means more distance, harder hit balls, and fewer chances for defenders to make plays. Today’s game is increasingly driven by power metrics, with the average MLB exit velocity hovering around 90 mph, while elite power hitters regularly exceed 110 mph.

The good news? Exit velocity isn’t just about natural strength—it’s a skill you can develop with the right training approach. These drills focus on the key components that contribute to explosive bat speed: rotational power, sequential kinetic chain activation, and efficient energy transfer.

10 Training Drills to Increase Exit Velocity

1. Weighted Bat Training Routine

This drill uses overload and underload principles to develop bat speed. Start with 8-10 swings using a bat that’s 20-30% heavier than your game bat. Follow immediately with 8-10 swings using your regular bat, then finish with 8-10 swings using a bat that’s 20-30% lighter. This contrast trains your muscles to fire more explosively. Perform 3-4 sets, focusing on maintaining proper swing mechanics throughout.

2. Medicine Ball Rotational Throws

Stand perpendicular to a wall with feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a 4-8 pound medicine ball at chest level. Rotate away from the wall, loading your back hip, then explosively rotate toward the wall, releasing the ball. This mimics the rotational force needed in your swing. Complete 3 sets of 10-12 throws on each side, focusing on hip-shoulder separation and core engagement.

3. Resistance Band Hip Rotations

Anchor a resistance band and step into a batting stance with the band creating tension across your hips. Practice your swing motion against the resistance, focusing on explosive hip rotation. The band creates resistance precisely where you need to generate power. Perform 3 sets of 12-15 rotations, gradually increasing band resistance as you progress.

4. Bottom Hand Tee Work

Hit off a tee using only your bottom hand on the bat. This drill forces you to engage your wrist and forearm properly while developing the crucial bottom-hand strength that drives bat speed. Use a lighter bat initially and focus on quick hand action through the zone. Complete 3 sets of 15-20 swings, working on direct contact and proper hand path.

5. Plyometric Push-Up Variations

Traditional plyometric push-ups or medicine ball push-ups develop the explosive chest and tricep power needed for bat speed. For baseball-specific training, try rotational push-ups where you rotate your torso during the up phase. This builds power in a movement pattern similar to your swing. Aim for 3 sets of 8-12 reps with proper form.

6. Heavy Bag Swings

Find a heavy bag (like those used in boxing) and practice hitting it with your bat. The impact resistance forces you to swing through completely rather than decelerating at contact. This builds the follow-through power that maximizes exit velocity. Perform 4 sets of 10-12 swings, focusing on full extension and driving through the bag.

7. High-to-Low Chop Wood Drill

Using either a lightweight sledgehammer or a specialized training tool, practice the diagonal chopping motion from high to low. This builds the oblique and core strength crucial for generating rotational power. Complete 3 sets of 10-12 chops on each side, focusing on explosive hip rotation and core engagement.

8. Single-Leg Rotational Cable Pulls

At a cable machine, stand on your back leg (right leg for right-handed hitters) with a handle at mid-torso height. Pull the cable across your body in your swing path while balancing on one leg. This builds rotational power while improving balance and stability. Perform 3 sets of 10-12 pulls on each side.

9. Vision-Tracking Swing Acceleration

Have a partner randomly call out different zones of the strike zone while you’re in your stance. When they call a zone, accelerate your bat through that specific area as quickly as possible. This improves both reaction time and targeted swing acceleration. Complete 3 sets of 12-15 random zone calls with minimal reset time.

10. Explosive First-Step Swing Drill

From your stance, practice the explosive first move of your swing—the weight shift and hip rotation—without completing the swing. Reset and repeat rapidly for 30 seconds. This builds the critical initial power generation that starts the kinetic chain. Perform 4 sets of 30 seconds each with 60 seconds rest between sets.

Implementing These Drills Into Your Training

For optimal results, incorporate 3-4 of these drills into your training routine 3 times per week. Rotate through different drill combinations to work various aspects of your swing power. Remember that consistency is key—sporadic training won’t deliver the neurological and muscular adaptations needed for lasting power gains.

Track your progress by measuring exit velocity using a radar device if available, or by recording distance and carry on similarly struck balls. Most players see measurable improvements within 4-6 weeks of consistent training.

Equipment Recommendations for Power Development

To maximize your training, quality equipment makes a significant difference. At BaseballTips.com, we recommend investing in a portable Batting Turtle cage for consistent practice, weighted bat systems for contrast training, and a quality tee for technique refinement. Our pro-grade batting mats also provide the stable surface needed for proper foot mechanics during these drills.

Take Your Hitting to the Next Level

Ready to add serious power to your swing? At BaseballTips.com, we’ve been helping players boost their performance for over 20 years with expert advice and professional-grade training equipment. Whether you’re looking to improve your exit velocity or need the perfect practice setup, our team of ex-players and coaches is here to help.

Call us at 800-487-7432 Monday-Friday 10am-7pm EST to discuss your specific training needs, or browse our complete selection of batting equipment and training aids online. Let’s work together to take your hitting performance to new heights!