Patrick Wisdom didn’t make his season debut until May 25 last season but that didn’t stop him from enjoying a breakout campaign.

The third baseman/first baseman/outfielder smacked 28 homers in 338 at-bats last season, breaking Kris Bryant’s rookie home run record (26).

Wisdom has carried similar production into 2022 and now sits atop the franchise record books with 31 homers in his first 400 at-bats:

That’s some pretty good company to be in.

Recently, Wisdom took Marquee Sports Network behind the scenes on how he has found success at the plate and turned his career around at age 30.

From the dugout to the on-deck circle to the batter’s box, Wisdom explains what’s going through his mind, how he developed his routine and what he says to coaches and teammates in the dugout.

When he’s in the on-deck circle, Wisdom takes time to interact with Cubs fans in the first few rows at Wrigley Field. But then he turns his focus to getting his timing down and what he needs to do for each respective situation.

“For me, some of the cues are to stay slow with my thoughts and slow with my moves,” Wisdom said. “That way I can generate enough power and take a consistent swing and not over-swing because I tend to do that sometimes. Another thought I have is staying short to the ball.”

Wisdom is always willing to talk about the mental side of the game and has credited the strides he has made in that area as a big factor of his breakout with the Cubs.

He has found what works for him and always strives to be in the right place emotionally for an at-bat.

“I like to just be kind of in a flow state,” Wisdom said. “If it’s amped up, it’s amped up. If it’s really calm, then it’s calm. If I try to play with those emotions, then I’m consciously thinking about it and I’m like, ‘OK, calm down, calm down.’ And then I’m not focused on what I need to do. So I just let the emotions flow and use it to my advantage.

Wisdom also explains how he approaches an at-bat when he knows the opposing pitcher can hit 100 mph on the radar gun.

“For me when a guy is throwing in triple digits, it’s slowing everything down, it’s being relaxed and just starting earlier,” he said. “That’s all it is. If you try to generate and try to be faster, things are going to fall apart.”

As many hitters step into the box, they tap their bat on the outer edge of the plate to make sure they’re set up where they want to be and can still reach the outside corner.

Wisdom does something different.

“I touch right in the middle because that’s where I want the pitch,” Wisdom said.

Check out more from Wisdom in the complete video feature above.

Due Up: Jason Heyward
Due Up: David Bote