Matt Williams: Bryce Harper learning using less force in swing can pay huge dividends

The amazing season that is Bryce Harper at the plate continued through the weekend series versus the Braves. In the four-game sweep of Atlanta, Harper displayed is acumen for recognizing pitches and calmly waiting for the one he wanted in the place he wanted it to be in the strike zone.

Thursday, he didn't even swing at a pitch, walking four times and scoring four runs.

Friday, he went 2-for-3 with two walks and a home run.

Saturday, 3-for-4 with two doubles and a two-run shot.

Sunday, Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk and his 34th home run.

In his last seven games, Harper is hitting .529 (9-for-17). In his last 15 games, Harper is hitting .413 (19-for-46).

What has been one key to his success at the plate?

"I think it has a lot to do with his patience," said manager Matt Williams. "That in and of itself will create improvement. I think that he is able and willing to hit the ball the other way, which is part of an approach that would help him have that success as well.

"The bottom line to it is he is taking what is given to him whether it be via the walk or the single, which is part of an approach that would help him have that success as well."

Against left-handed pitchers, Harper has a career .260 average. This season the splits are much better against southpaws. He is hitting .326 versus left-handers over 80 games in 2015, with six homers, 31 strikeouts and 30 walks.

In 2014, he hit .263 with 30 strikeouts and 10 walks versus left-handers over 55 games.

In 2013, he hit .214 with 35 strikeouts and 21 walks in 76 games facing southpaws.

In 2012, his rookie campaign, Harper hit .240 with 51 strikeouts and 15 walks over 95 games.

"I know he's hit some home runs, but he's taking the ball back through the middle and the other way against left-handed pitchers," Williams said. "That's the secret to success for anybody, especially lefty-lefty."

Harper had five homers combined against left-handers in 2013 and 2014. He has six homers and 22 RBIs against southpaws so far in 80 games this season. Against today's left-handed starter for the Mets, Jon Niese, Harper is hitting .231 (3-for-13) with four walks and two strikeouts.

Williams said the major difference in Harper's approach this season is he has learned that he doesn't have to try to kill the baseball with every swing. He is showing a more measured pace in his swing to make contact and push the ball where it is thrown, rather than force it somewhere else. That has paid huge dividends.

"I think it's a concerted effort on his part to be patient," Williams said.

"It's an understanding of what he can and can't do, which is an evolution and understanding that 70 percent is probably better than 100 percent most of the time. What that means is if he swings 100 percent at that slider from the lefty, more times than not he probably roll that ball over and make (an) out.

"If he's 70 percent, he tends to stay on that baseball and get the base hit. If he swings at 70 percent or 80 percent on the one that he drives, it's plenty. It doesn't have to go 500 feet, it just has to go 380. We've seen that. He's starting to realize those things."

"I think he has made tremendous adjustments," Williams concluded.