Who is the best hitter vs. each pitch type?
Just earlier than the All-Star break, we explored which pitchers had been dominant on particular pitch varieties this season. As such, it’s solely pure to dive into the identical phenomenon, in reverse. Which hitters have been most profitable when going up in opposition to sure pitch varieties to this point?
To reply this, we’ll as soon as once more focus totally on Statcast’s Run Value metric. Feel free to look at this web page for a extra detailed definition, however to summarize, the premise of Run Value is that it accounts for the affect of every particular person pitch primarily based on the runners on base, outs, and ball and strike rely. This is necessary as a result of many different present superior metrics solely account for sure subsets of pitches — e.g., whiff charge solely consists of pitches that have been swung at, whereas batting common and xwOBA solely contemplate the ultimate pitch of any plate look. But, in fact, taking a pitch to show an 0-0 rely right into a 1-0 rely nonetheless is a optimistic final result for the batter, an final result which Run Value accounts for.
With all of that being stated, listed here are the perfect hitters in opposition to every of the six commonest pitch varieties to this point this season. While Run Value is the first determinant of those selections, there have been another underlying metrics that have been thought-about as nicely (whiff charge, wOBA, xwOBA, and so on.).
All numbers are coming into July 20
Freeman doesn’t simply have MLB’s highest Run Value in opposition to 4-seam fastballs — his +21 output in opposition to 4-seamers is six extra runs than every other hitter in opposition to any pitch kind this season. His uncooked numbers in opposition to 4-seamers are elite throughout the board, with a .380 batting common, .736 slugging share and .473 wOBA. But such dominance is nothing new for the seven-time All-Star. In every of the previous eight seasons (together with 2023), Freeman has had no less than a .298 batting common and no less than a .530 slugging share in opposition to 4-seamers.
Carroll’s outstanding rookie season has been amongst MLB’s greatest storylines all 12 months, and the flexibility to hit sinkers is likely one of the many expertise that he’s proven off to this point. Though Caroll ranks simply behind Mookie Betts in Run Value in opposition to sinkers, he ranks in first place in OBP (.500), slugging share (.795) and wOBA (.533) amongst 131 gamers to have no less than 50 plate appearances finish in sinkers. But, maybe much more impressively, Carroll’s +9 right here isn’t even his highest Run Value in opposition to a pitch kind. Thanks to a .352 batting common and .716 slugging share, he additionally has a +13 in opposition to 4-seamers, for good measure.
While the pattern measurement of cutters is way smaller throughout the game than it’s for 4-seamers or sinkers, Rooker has nonetheless stood out together with his elite efficiency in opposition to such pitches, one motive that the 28-year-old was a shock All-Star after being claimed off waivers within the offseason. Beyond rating close to the highest of MLB in Run Value, Rooker has 5 homers in opposition to cutters this season, tied for many in MLB with the Twins’ Max Kepler. This has led to a .500 batting common and a preposterous 1.700 slugging share on such pitches for Rooker, numbers that soar off the web page even when accounting for the smaller pattern. His slugging share and .764 wOBA lead all gamers with no less than 15 plate appearances ending in cutters.
Acuña truly isn’t fairly MLB’s chief in Run Value in opposition to sliders, as he ranks in second, barely behind the Rangers’ Adolis García. But Acuña’s underlying metrics are stronger, giving him the slight nod right here. Against sliders, Acuña’s batting common (.324), OBP (.398), slugging share (.649), wOBA (.439) are all higher than García’s, as are his anticipated values in every of these 4 metrics. Acuña additionally has a outstanding common exit velocity of 96.8 mph in opposition to sliders this season, a full 1.5 mph greater than the next-closest participant with no less than 25 batted balls in opposition to sliders (Gunnar Henderson). While the overwhelming NL MVP favourite has been efficient in opposition to just about each pitch kind this season, the way in which he has feasted in opposition to sliders stands out essentially the most.
Díaz’s Run Value in opposition to curveballs leads MLB, as his manufacturing on such pitches has been off the charts. Among gamers with no less than 20 plate appearances ending in curveballs, Díaz ranks first in MLB in batting common (.545), OBP (.565) and wOBA (.687). He solely has two strikeouts on plate appearances ending in curveballs, and he, like Rooker, made his first profession All-Star look this season. In reality, he has been virtually as prone to hit a house run on a curveball (three situations this season) as he has been to swing and miss at one (4 situations).
Soto is simply behind Freeman within the Run Value leaderboard in opposition to changeups, however, equally to Acuña on sliders, Soto has elite numbers in a number of different metrics to offer him the sting. Soto has outperformed Freeman in OBP (.525), slugging share (.655) and wOBA (.496) in opposition to changeups, turning round his efficiency in opposition to them after batting simply .215 and slugging .285 off changeups from 2021-22. And, as is commonly the case with Soto, it’s his elite plate self-discipline that stands out. Soto has solely chased on 10.5% of changeups outdoors the strike zone, a full 6.2 p.c decrease than every other participant to see no less than 50 out-of-zone changeups this season.
