BJ Upton's Failure to Launch

The Braves were expecting big things from BJ Upton this year. His home runs coming into the season with the Rays were:

2010-18
2011-23
2012-28

This year with the Braves he only hit 9 in 126 games. Many articles involving the psychological aspects of going to a new team and playing with his brother Justin are prevalent online. To me it's obvious his mechanics are off. Mechanically speaking, BJ Upton will never be confused with Joe Mauer but his new hitch has created a monster. A lot of players will waggle before the ball is pitched and some will do a bat tilt which applies pressure on the wrists going into Launch (heel plant after stride). I suppose it breaks the inertia or establishes a feeling the player likes when he is getting ready to swing.

Evan Longoria, a former teammate of Upton's, has a tilt that moves the bat head just in front of his head with the barrel basically going toward the pitcher. From here he will move the bat to a more conventional position as his hands work back. I wont pretend to know why Longoria does this, but there is obviously some comfort that gets him to a good hitting position.

Now lets take a look at the progression of BJ Uptons hitch to Launch.

2011

2012

and this season 2013

Obviously, there has been a steady progression to a bat tilt similiar to Longoria in his pre swing movement. Unfortunately, his tilt waggles toward 1st base, if not the home dugout. Not to mention, the ball is halfway home when Upton waggles. In Longoria's tilt this happens as early as the pitchers release. Big difference in timing... how could he possibly control the inner half with this hitch? If he could find the same pre-swing movement he had in 2012 he will be more successful.