About Us

The X Factor hitting system was conceived in 2001, long before the technology was available to develop a functioning system. I successfully implemented the concept for this now working system, intuitively, as a timing training method for 15-years, until our first prototype was produced. By matching the speed of a pitch and a hitter’s swing time, I issued distance commands, enabling hitters to hit a ball to its corresponding field, based on pitch location. In a short time, a hitter could master spray hitting, but only under short-toss conditions. Difficulty entered, when attempting to implement this intuitive method at full distance and higher velocities.

In 2015, I met a nuclear engineer. I detailed the process I had conceived, and the potential for a problem solving hitting system like no other on the market. Because he did not have a background in baseball, my concept was not met with the usual skepticism I had become accustomed to from my friends and colleagues.  I described the mathematical equation for coordinating the intersection between two independent bodies, and if we could capture the time over distance of each body (bat and ball), we could predict how to coordinate the two, based on motion over distance. 

An algorithm was produced and two capture devices created, one to capture and store hitter time to contact, the second, capturing live pitched ball velocity.

Because I had been essentially testing this theory for 15-years, intuitively at short distances and low velocities, I had no doubt the system would work. And it did. We tested high school and collegiate players first, then invited youth players, challenging them with pitch speeds in excess of any they had previously experienced.

Now, rather than guessing when to swing and making timing adjustments until a successful collision between the bat and ball occurred, a hitter can practice with precise timing, helping to encode depth perception memory and experience for pitches of any velocity at an accelerated rate. What was once left to the hitter, but for vague suggestions like “swing sooner,”, or “swing later”, can now be answered with almost perfect accuracy.

~ Ken Cherryhomes, founder of X Factor Technology and creator of the X Factor Hitting System.

Ken Cherryhomes - Founder

Over a span of more than 25 years, Ken has dedicated himself to the art and science of batting training. He’s amassed a wealth of knowledge through rigorous study, meticulous research, and empirical wisdom derived from direct experience, observation, practice, and application. Ken has trained hitters at all levels of baseball and softball, from beginners to Big League players, with unprecedented success. As an associate scout for the Tampa Bay Rays (2004-2014), he focused on player development rather than the traditional role of scout. One of the most sought-after hitting coaches in his area, Ken built, owned and operated three batting cages and has consulted on a number of baseball training related projects. He developed several unique training methods that have been practiced with great success, including a timing-based method that has led to the creation of the X Factor system. His career achievements are built upon real-world results, including the development of players who have been drafted by MLB teams, or played for Division I,II, III, NIAA and Junior colleges.

However, his work largely predates the age of social media and internet marketing. His focus was on in-person training and direct talent development rather than online visibility. Consequently, despite extensive experience and demonstrable success, he may not have widespread recognition in today’s digital landscape. This resume formally presents his qualifications, methodologies, and impact in the field.

From 1998 to 2011, he conducted approximately 40,000 training sessions. Since 2011, he reduced his training volume, focusing primarily on batting technology development, and designing data analysis systems.

He has trained players who have played for nearly every MLB organization. Notably, his 2011 class alone produced 7 MLB-drafted players, including talents such as Michael Conforto, Dylan Davis, and Trevor Mitsui, with more than double that number going on to play Division I baseball from that graduating class.

From 1995 to the present, he has built a substantial career in baseball training and batting tech development with the following highlights:

  • Conducted over 40,000 training sessions between 1998 and 2011.
  • Trained players who have played for nearly every MLB team.
  • The 2011 training class was exceptional, with 7 players from that graduating class eventually drafted into the MLB.
  • From 2004 to 2014, served as an associate scout and player developer for the Tampa Bay Rays, focusing on scouting and talent development.
  • Privately coached established MLB players from other organizations since 1998, notably Jeff Cirillo.
  • 3 granted patents in the field of batting technology.

 Case Studies

MLB Players

Jeff Cirillo:

 Performance Analysis and Training Impact (Fall 2004-2006)

Before Training with Ken (2003-2004):

  • 2003: WAR of -1.4
  • 2004: WAR of -0.4

After Training with Ken (2005-2006):

  • 2005: WAR of 1.4
  • 2006: WAR of 1.6

Scope of Training:

  • Primary focus on timing adjustments.
  • Minimal mechanical adjustments aimed at base stability and enhancing ground reaction force angles.
  • Emphasis on relaxation techniques and swing direction intentions for in-game focus and swing efficiency.

Key Statistical Comparisons:

  • Resurgence (2005-2006) vs. Decline (2003-2004):
    • Batting Average: Increased from .207 to .304.
    • On-Base Percentage: Improved from .278 to .371.
    • Slugging Percentage: Rose from .276 to .420.
    • Walk-to-Strikeout Ratio: Improved from 1:2 to nearly 1:1.
  • Resurgence (2005-2006) vs. Prime Years (1994-2002):
    • Batting Average: .304, matching prime years.
    • On-Base Percentage: .371, closely aligning with .374 during prime years.
    • Slugging Percentage: Rose to .420, approaching the .445 of his prime years.
    • Walk-to-Strikeout Ratio: Remained comparable.

Outcome: The primary focus on timing and relaxation adjustments, along with targeted minimal mechanical changes, led to a significant resurgence in Cirillo’s performance. His WAR values transitioned from negative to positive, signaling a reversal from a period of decline and aligning closely with his prime years.

High school player development

Trevor Mitsui:

Performance Analysis and Training Impact (Fall 2008-2011)

Hitting Development and Achievements (Fall 2008-2011)

2008

  • Freshman Year (Pre-training):
    • Batting Average: .333
    • Hits: 12
    • RBI: 6
    • Extra-Base Hits: 2 (All doubles)
    • Home Runs: 0

2009

  • Sophomore Year (1st Year of Training):
    • Batting Average: .439 (an increase of .106 from Freshman year)
    • Hits: 29 (more than double from previous year)
    • RBI: 37 (over six times the previous year’s total)
    • Extra-Base Hits: (14) 10 doubles, 4 home runs

2010

  • Junior Year (2nd Year of Training):
    • Batting Average: .507 (further increase up .068, from previous year, +.174 from pre-training freshman year)
    • Hits: 36
    • RBI: 31
    • Extra-Base Hits: 9 doubles, 1 triple, 11 home runs

2011

  • Senior Year (3rd Year of Training):
    • Batting Average: .712 (remarkable increase up .205 from previous year, +.379 from freshman year)
    • Hits: 37 (consistent with Junior year in fewer at-bats)
    • RBI: 26
    • Extra-Base Hits: 7 doubles, 1 triple, 13 home runs
    • Strikeouts: 1
    • Walks: 42

Notable Achievements in 2011 (Senior Year):

  • Gatorade Player of the Year Washington State.
  • National Runner-Up for Gatorade Player of the Year.

Outcome: Under Ken’s guidance, Mitsui’s offensive capabilities saw marked improvement, transforming him from a primarily opposite-field hitter in his freshman campaign prior to training with Ken, to one that utilized the entire field effectively. By his Senior year, his batting average, power numbers, discipline at the plate, and overall production peaked, making him one of the most formidable hitters in the nation. This transformation is a testament to the comprehensive training approach focusing on timing, contact points, relaxation techniques, and pitch recognition that is at the core of Ken’s training philosophy as well as the core of his technologies.

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