The Approach Angle
Nate Schwartz (@_nateschwartz) and Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) talk about bat tracking data and why context matters so much for these stats.
They start by discussing bat speed as the best proxy for true batted ball power, but note that it's not as simple as the best swing speed is all that matters. Making the most of a slower bat speed can be just as effective at the same time. They briefly touch on swing speed risers and fallers, such as Cam Smith, Colt Keith, Jesus Sanchez, and Randy Arozarena. Then, they talk about swing length and its relationship to swing speed. This includes topics such as swing acceleration, relationships to plate discipline stats, and what a swing length change means for a player. After that, the conversation turns to swing path, as they break down swing tilt, attack angle, and attack direction. Finally, they talk about intercept point and how a hitter's mentality can shape the changes in the numbers.
Articles discussed: Under the Hood of the Aging Hitter, Joshua Rodrigues; Brice Turang is a Great Model for How to Increase Bat Speed, Esteban Rivera; Swing Changes Through Motion Capture - Hitting Biomechanics, Driveline Baseball
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