MLB Swing Analysis, Now It’s Science! The Latest Scientific Metrics of Baseball Swings Shown by Statcast

안녕하세요. 오늘은 메이저 리그 베이스볼에서의 스윙 분석이 어떻게 과학적으로 발전했는지에 대해 이야기해보려 합니다. 최근 Statcast 시스템을 통해 제공되는 데이터들은 선수의 스윙을 더욱 정교하게 분석할 수 있는 기회를 열어주고 있습니다. 이 시스템은 경기 중 발생하는 다양한 상황을 기록하여, 타격 메트릭스를 제공함으로써 선수들의 스윙 스타일을 이해하는 데 큰 도움을 줍니다. 이제 구체적인 방법을 아래에서 확인해보도록 하겠습니다.

In MLB, hitting analysis has now evolved beyond relying solely on intuition or experience, advancing innovatively through cutting-edge data analysis technology and scientific metrics. At the center of this is the Statcast system. Statcast records game situations such as pitches, batted balls, and player movements using ultra-high-speed cameras and radar installed in all 30 Major League stadiums, providing various advanced hitting metrics based on this data.

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

• The swing path refers to the angle of the trajectory that the bat traces for about 0.04 seconds just before it makes contact with the ball. This angle represents the ‘shape’ of the swing; a higher angle indicates a steep swing like an ‘uppercut,’ while a lower angle indicates a ‘flat’ swing.
• The average swing path of Major League hitters is about 32 degrees, with players ranging from 20 degrees (flat swing) to 50 degrees (steep swing).
• Due to the height of the mound and the effect of gravity, pitches tend to drop slightly, so a certain upward angle is needed to align with the ball’s trajectory.
• For example, player Lee Jung-hoo shows a higher than average swing path, indicating a style close to an upper swing, and it is analyzed that he maintains good contact ability by using a steep swing to compensate for his slow bat speed.
• The swing path does not simply mean that high or low is good or bad; it is a useful metric for tracking a hitter’s swing style and changes.

2. Attack Angle

• The attack angle represents the vertical angle of the bat’s movement at the moment it makes contact with the ball. A 0-degree angle indicates the bat is perfectly flat, a positive angle indicates an upward trajectory, and a negative angle indicates a downward trajectory.
• This metric is closely related to timing; if the timing is off, the attack angle can vary significantly.
• The average attack angle for Major League hitters is about 10 degrees, with lower pitches averaging 16 degrees, middle pitches 9 degrees, and higher pitches around 7 degrees.
• The ideal range for attack angle is between 5 and 20 degrees, as hitting efficiency is considered highest within this range.
• According to data after the 2023 All-Star Game, hitters with attack angles within this ideal range had a batting average of .272, slugging percentage of .487, and wOBA of .323, showing significant differences in slugging percentage and productivity compared to those outside this range.
• The attack angle is a metric that shows the instantaneous bat movement of the swing, making it an important scientific figure directly related to hitting success.

3. Attack Direction

• Attack direction is similar to attack angle but indicates the angle of the bat’s movement in the horizontal direction.
• A 0-degree angle indicates a neutral batted ball direction, and on average, Major League hitters show an angle of about 2 degrees, slightly pulling the ball.
• For example, player Aaron Judge records about 7 degrees in the pulling direction, which can be interpreted as a result of intentional swinging or the strategies used by pitchers.
• Attack direction is also subtly adjusted based on pitch height and type, which is connected to the hitter’s ability to adjust their swing and timing.

Utilization and Significance of Statcast Data

• Statcast has transformed a hitter’s swing from a simple record into a subject of scientific and precise analysis, enhancing the understanding of baseball.
• Players utilize this data to improve their swing styles and timing, while analysts can develop customized training and strategies for each player based on this information.
• For instance, by appropriately adjusting swing path and attack angle, even players with slow bat speeds can achieve efficient hitting, and changes in attack angle based on timing can help capture the optimal hitting moment.
• The visualization and metrics of Statcast allow fans to gain deeper insights into players’ swings during games, such as “this player has a steep swing trajectory” or “the attack angle is ideal, leading to good contact.”

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Summary
The latest swing metrics provided by MLB Statcast, including Swing Path, Attack Angle, and Attack Direction, are scientific tools that precisely measure swing trajectory, bat movement at the moment of contact, and horizontal hitting direction. These metrics are keys to unraveling the complex puzzle of hitting, opening a new era of swing improvement and baseball game analysis for players.

 

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