A couple of weeks ago, I saw a post on Thread. It showed that some players saw a lot of strikes over the last few seasons. However, those strikes were actually out of the strike zone.
After seeing the post, I began to think about a question. In the 2024 season, which batters did see many strikes that were out of strike zone?
Isaac Paredes played for the Rays and the Cubs in 2024, slashing .238/.346/.393 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI. He was selected to the 2024 All-Star game. By far in his career, he doesn’t chase much with a chase rate below 30% each season. In 2024, his chase rate was 26.5%. However, during the regular season, he saw 89 pitches that were out of the strike zone but were called strikes.
In addition, Marcell Ozuna had a great 2024 season, hitting .302/.378/.546 with 39 home runs and 104 RBI. In 2024, his chase rate was 26.5% as well. Nonetheless, sometimes, things didn’t go as expected. During the regular season, Ozuna saw 86 called strikes, but those pitches were actually out of the zone.
Moreover, Seiya Suzuki is a very consistent hitter in the Cubs lineup. His OPS was .842 in 2023 and this season, his OPS was .848. He blasted 21 home runs and collected 73 RBI in 132 games. He doesn’t like to swing at pitches that are out of the strike zone, either. Suzuki’s chase rate was 20.7% in 2024. Unfortunately, sometimes, home plate umpires made him unhappy. During the regular season, when Suzuki was at bat, there were 84 times that pitches were out of the zone but were called strikes.
Meanwhile, Taylor Ward played 156 games in 2024. He finished the season with a career-high 25 home runs and 75 RBI. He’s disciplined as well with a chase of 20.8% in 2024. Nevertheless, there was something unexpected. During the regular season, there were 80 pitches that were called strikes. But those pitches were actually out of the strike zone.
In the meantime, there are 8 players who saw 70+ pitches that were out of the zone but were called strikes.
Finally, let’s take a look at the number in the postseason. Mookie Betts hit very well in the postseason with an OPS over .900. He drew 11 walks and was struck out 10 times. So, he was quite disciplined in the postseason. Nonetheless, he saw 12 pitches that were out of zone but were called strikes.
When we look back at the 2024 season, those 4 players who saw at least 80 “out of zone” strikes are actually disciplined hitters. They each finished the season with a chase rate below 30%. But sometimes, they don't get the reward as they want. Well, home plate umpires are humans. They might make mistakes. Perhaps, some catchers are so good at framing so home plate umpires call more strikes. Sometimes, home plate umpires just made some bad calls. In the 2025 season, it will be worth watching if we will see some similar names again.
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