MLB Swing Analysis, Now It’s a Science! the latest in baseball swing science from Statcast

In MLB, hitting analysis is no longer just a matter of gut instinct or experience, but is being revolutionized by advanced data analytics and scientific metrics. At the center of this is the Statcast system. statcast utilizes ultra-high-speed cameras and radar installed at 30 major league ballparks to record ultra-precise data on pitching, hitting, and player movement, which is then used to provide a variety of advanced hitting metrics.

1. swing Path (Swing Path, or Swing Path Tilt)

• swing path refers to the angle of the bat’s trajectory for about 0.04 seconds before it hits the ball. this angle represents the “shape” of the swing, with a higher angle indicating a steeper swing, often called an “uppercut,” and a lower angle indicating a flatter swing.
• the average swing path for major league hitters is about 32 degrees, with individual players ranging from 20 degrees (flat swing) to 50 degrees (steep swing).
• swing pass is the angle at which the pitch falls slightly downward due to the height of the mound and the effects of gravity, so some degree of upward angle is required to match the ball trajectory.
• for example, Lee Jung-hoo has a higher-than-average swing pass, which is analyzed as more of an upper swing, and he uses a steep swing to compensate for his slower bat speed to maintain good contact.
• swing path doesn’t simply mean high and low is good or bad, it’s a useful metric for tracking a hitter’s swing style and changes.

2. attack Angle

• attack angle refers to the vertical angle of the bat movement at the moment the bat hits the ball. zero degrees is a perfectly flat bat contact, while a positive number is an upward angle and a negative number is a downward angle.
• this metric is closely related to timing, so if the timing is off, the attack angle value can vary significantly.
• major league hitters have an average attack angle of about 10 degrees, with low balls averaging 16 degrees, medium balls 9 degrees, and high balls 7 degrees, depending on the pitch height.
• the ideal attack angle range is between 5 and 20 degrees, which is considered to be the most efficient for hitting.
• according to data from the 2023 All-Star Game, hitters with attack angles within this ideal range had a .272 batting average, .487 on-base percentage, and .323 wOBA, a significant difference in on-base percentage and productivity compared to those without.
• attack angle is an important scientific metric that shows the instantaneous movement of the bat during the swing and is directly related to hitting success.

3. attack Direction

• attack Direction is similar to Attack Angle, but refers to the angle of bat movement in the horizontal direction.
• zero degrees is a neutral batting direction, and on average, major league hitters have a slight pull of about 2 degrees.
• aaron Judge, for example, has a pull angle of about 7 degrees, which is interpreted as a reflection of either an intentional swing or a pitcher’s strategy.
• the height and type of pitch also subtly modulates the direction of attack, which is linked to a hitter’s ability to control their swing and timing.

how to use statcast data and what it means

• statcast has transformed the understanding of baseball by turning a batter’s swing into a scientific and precise object of analysis, rather than just a record.
• players can use this data to improve their swing style and timing, and analysts can use it to customize training and strategy for each player.
• for example, players with slower bat speeds can be more efficient hitters by adjusting their swing path and attack angle, while timing changes can help them capture the optimal moment to hit.
• the visualizations and metrics in the statcast give fans a deeper understanding of players’ swings during a game and allow them to gain insights such as “this player has a steep swing trajectory” or “this player has an ideal attack angle, resulting in a good hit”.

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the Bottom Line
MLB Statcast’s newest swing metrics – Swing Path, Attack Angle, and AttackDirection – are scientific tools that precisely measure swing trajectory, bat movement at the moment of impact, and horizontal hit direction, respectively. These metrics are the key to unlocking the complex puzzle of hitting, ushering in a new era of player swing improvement and baseball game analysis.

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