A few days ago, I was watching some highlights of the 2021 season. A pitcher threw several pitches that reached 95 mph against a batter, however, the batter seemed to be pretty comfortable at bat. And, I was just thinking which batters were really good at hitting pitches with 95+ mph.
To know a little bit more, I went to check on the statcast website. Here’s what I found.
In the 2020 season, Wilmer Difo played 12 games for the Nationals and he only collected one hit. However, in 2021, he joined the Pirates and got more opportunities. Last season, he was hitting. 269/.329/.384 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI in 116 games. He’s not a power hitter, however, he had a batting average of .412 against pitches with velocity of 95 mph or above. The 2021 season is definitely a great season for Nick Castellanos. He slashed .309/.362/.576 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI. Moreover, he was selected to the All-Star game for the first time in his career. Last season, Castellanos had a batting average of .411 against pitches that reached 95 mph or higher.
Rafael Ortega made it into the big league in 2012. Nonetheless, he didn’t have too many opportunities over the last few years. Last year, it was his first season to play at least 100 games and he batted .291/.360/.463 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI. When facing pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher, Ortega posted an over .400 batting average.
In addition, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Juan Soto and Andy Ibanez each had an over .390 batting average when facing pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher.
Nonetheless, does a batter with a high batting average truly tell us that he’s good at hitting at pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher?
Now, let’s look at the quality of contact.
Mike Trout didn’t play many games in 2021 due to injury. However, there’s little doubt that he’s one of the best hitters of this generation. Trout definitely can make good contact against 95+ mph pitches since his xwOBA was over .500 when facing pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher last year.
Moreover, Josh Donaldson won the AL MVP award in 2015. Last season, he slashed .247/.352/.475 with 26 home runs and 72 RBI. Meanwhile, his xwOBA against 95+ mph pitches was .493. Furthermore, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a great 2021 season with a .311/.401/.601 slash line. Hitting at pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher doesn’t seem to be a problem for him since Guerrero Jr.’s xwOBA was .491 last season. Finally, Byron Buxton, Mitch Garver, Bryce Harper and Will Smith each did make good contact against 95+ mph pitches and they each had an over .450 xwOBA.
Nowadays, it’s quite common to see pitchers throw pitches with velocity of 95 mph or higher. Wilmer Difo had a batting average of .412 when facing 95+ mph pitches. Nevertheless, his xwOBA was only .276. It might be easy to see him have a high batting average against 95+ mph pitches again. Nonetheless, players such as Mike Trout and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can make solid contact against 95+ mph pitches and let’s see how good they will perform in 2022.
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