A few weeks ago, my friend and I went to a sports recreation venue. In the venue, there’s a batting cage. Additionally, an interesting thing is there’s a HitTrax AR facility. My friend and I decided to have a try.
It’s so fun because I can see the data of exit velocity and launch angle. Moreover, there’s information about launch angle and exit velocity. It clearly shows that a 25-35 degree launch angle is ideal.
Well, a batted ball with a 25-35 degree launch angle is ideal. However, I’m thinking about something rare. In the 2024 season, were there many home runs hit at a low angle? Did hitters crush a home run with a high launch angle? To solve my doubts, I decided to check on the statcast website.
In 2024, there was a home run that was hit with a launch angle below 15 degrees. Matt Vierling crushed a home run in April and the launch angle of that home run was 14 degrees. Exit velocity of that home run was over 110 mph and that’s why the ball can travel far. Moreover, Giancarlo Stanton blasted a home run with a launch angle of 15 degrees in May. Exit velocity of that homer was over 110 mph as well.
Meanwhile, there were 4 home runs that were hit with a launch angle of 16 degrees. Interestingly, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashed 2 home runs with a launch angle of 16 degrees. Both home runs were hit last July and the exit velocity of each home run was over 110 mph.
Furthermore, for the other 2 home runs, one was hit by Seiya Suzkui and the other was hit by Miguel Andujar. Exit velocity of Suzuki’s home run was over 110 mph. Andujar’s home run was hit with an exit velocity of 105.9 mph.
In addition, let’s look at the home runs that were hit with a high launch angle. Last season, 7 home runs were hit with a launch angle over 45 degrees. LaMonte Wade Jr. belted a home run in May and that ball was hit with a launch angle of 50 degrees. Yes, 50 degrees. Exit velocity of that home run was 102.9 mph.
In the meantime, 3 home runs were hit with a launch angle of 47 degrees. Oneil Cruz smashed a home run in May and that ball’s exit velocity was over 110 mph. Furthermore, Matt Olson and Kyle Manzardo each blasted a home run with a launch angle of 47 degrees and exit velocity over 100 mph.
Finally, 3 home runs were hit with a launch angle of 46 degrees. The 2024 NL MVP Shohei Ohtani blasted a home run with a launch angle of 46 degrees in July and that ball’s exit velocity was over 110 mph. Isaac Paredes smashed a home run with an exit velocity over 104.6 mph. Nolan Arenado crushed a home run last July with a launch angle of 46 degrees, however, the exit velocity was below 100 mph.
As we can see, it’s rare to see home runs with a launch angle which is lower than 16 degrees or higher than 45 degrees. Nonetheless, it could happen. But a key reason is that it has to be a hard hit and most of them have an exit velocity over 100 mph or even over 110 mph.
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