This story was excerpted from Ian Browne's Red Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

When you’re looking for positive developments around the Red Sox heading down the stretch, there's one that's jumping out.
 
Trevor Story looks like the player the Red Sox envisioned when they signed him to a six-year, $140 million contract during Spring Training.
 
Even by observing Story as he moves around the clubhouse and interacts with his teammates, his increased confidence and comfort in his new surroundings is obvious.
 
The key to his recent turnaround at the plate? He has become more grounded, so to speak.
 
“I’m just trying to stay closer to the ground and use the ground. That’s where my power comes from,” said Story. “That’s where my stability comes from. Yeah, so the adjustments have been good and it just takes a little courage to try something different in the game. It’s been good for me. So I like it.” 
 
Something as subtle as an improved toe tap has made a big difference to Story, who in his first eight games off the injured list went 14-for-32 with five doubles and a rocket three-run homer.  

“And it’s similar to what I’ve done over my career,” said Story. “A little over time, it’s gotten a little higher and a little higher and a little higher. I think it’s just a good way for me to gather and stay balanced. Like I was saying earlier, it’s something that I’ve done in drill work and played with in the offseason a little bit, so, yeah, I just decided, 'Let’s go ahead and do this in the game.'”
 
For Story to go into the offseason fully confident bodes well for him to make an even bigger impact in his second season with the Red Sox.
 
“Yeah, for sure, being back healthy and just trying to be myself. Like I said, I’ve battled some mechanical stuff this year and there was just kind of a lot going on,” Story said. “It’s been big for me to make the adjustments, and I feel really good about that so I can play the game within the game and just go out there and be athletic and try to make plays and help us win. So I feel good about how I’ve played since coming back.”