Statcast Packet: Wednesday, April 25
For a list of useful Statcast links, please scroll to the bottom.
YESTERDAY’S NOTABLE STATCAST FEATS
-- Kyle Schwarber (CHC) lasered a 117.1-mph homer out in Cleveland that easily became a new Cubs record for hardest-hit ball since Statcast was introduced in ‘15 (Schwarber held the previous high, a 114.3-mph bomb hit off Chris Archer last Sept. 19). Tuesday’s blast was just the 17th ever hit with an exit velocity that high, and the others were belted by many of the usual suspects: Giancarlo Stanton (7), Aaron Judge (6), Hanley Ramirez (1), Carlos Gonzalez (1) and Marcell Ozuna (1).
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qYWzNt
-- Shohei Ohtani (LAA) joined Luis Severino as the only starting pitchers to crack the 100-mph mark this season when he threw a pair of 100.1 mph pitches in the second inning at Houston. Ohtani went on reach 101 mph on two pitches to Josh Reddick in the fifth, setting a new high mark for starters in 2018 and joining Aroldis Chapman and Jordan Hicks as the only pitchers in baseball to throw that hard this season. Ohtani finished with six pitches of 100 mph or harder, including a 100.6 mph swinging strike to Reddick in the third.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qYfOqp
-- Gary Sanchez (NYY) crushed a 114.2 mph, 436-foot home run out to center field at Yankee Stadium, for his second big fly of the game. It was the second-hardest homer of Sanchez’s career and tied for the third-hardest by a catcher since Statcast launched in 2015. Sanchez is now responsible for six of the 12 highest-exit-velo HRs by catchers during that time.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qWAsr6
-- Yoenis Cespedes (NYM) tied up the Cardinals with a homer reminiscent of those hit by Mark McGwire in his prime. With two men on in the fifth, Cespedes launched a 115.1 mph, 463-foot shot to ‘Big Mac Land’ to tie the score at 4-4. Yo’s blast set benchmarks for both the hardest-hit and longest home run hit by a Met since Statcast began tracking in 2015. The previous longest home run for the Mets was 461 feet by Justin Ruggiano...also at Busch Stadium.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qZJ5Bj
-- Delino DeShields (TEX) may have saved two runs with a spectacular running catch in deep right-center field at Globe Life Park. With one out in the eighth inning, Oakland’s Jonathan Lucroy lifted a long drive into the gap. DeShields took off after it, flashing a Sprint Speed of 29.5 ft/sec (near the elite level of 30 ft/sec; MLB average is roughly 27). The speedy center fielder had 5.6 seconds to cover 109 feet on the play, and with a great route, ran 111 feet to track down the ball on the track. With a bonus for his close proximity to the wall, it was a 5-star grab for DeShields, with just a 4% catch probability.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qYLhcl
-- Mookie Betts (BOS) is one of baseball’s best outfielders and he proved it again Tuesday with an excellent catch to rob Teoscar Hernandez. Covering 53 feet in just 3.5 seconds, Betts raced into the gap and made a leaping play to convert a play in which he was given a 31% catch probability by Statcast. That comes out to a 4-Star play for Betts, whose 14 4-Star plays in 2017 ranked third in all of baseball.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qXq2ra
-- Alex Avila (ARI) turned around a 95.6 mph Vince Velasquez fastball for a 110.1 mph, 418-foot home run in Philadelphia. It was the hardest batted ball Avila has hit since Statcast began tracking in 2015.
Video link: https://atmlb.com/2qXtlyy
TODAY’S GAME NOTES
2:10 p.m. ET -- Angels @ Astros
ANGELS: Mike Trout
Trout’s chase rates on out-of-zone pitches, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qY9nDV)
2015: 22.6%
2016: 21.7%
2017: 19.0%
2018: 15.0% (5th-lowest in MLB, min. 150 out-of-zone pitches seen -- https://atmlb.com/2qYLxrQ)
Trout’s SLG% vs. in-zone pitches, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qT8qg6)
2015: .773
2016: .700
2017: .750
2018: .873 (2nd-highest in MLB, min. 50 ABs ending on in-zone pitches -- https://atmlb.com/2qYkAEj)
ASTROS: Justin Verlander
Lowest expected batting average* (xBA) allowed to left-handed hitters, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2r1i0xI)
Min. 30 ABs vs. left-handed hitters (92 pitchers)
- Justin Verlander: .117
- Charlie Morton: .128
- Sean Manaea: .150
- Zack Godley: .158
- Gerrit Cole: .162
*Calculated using hit probabilities from exit velocity/launch angle, plus real-life strikeout totals
Verlander allowed .229 xBA vs. lefties in 2017, T-16th of 121 pitchers (min. 150 ABs)
2:10 p.m. ET -- Mariners @ White Sox
MARINERS: Edwin Diaz
Highest whiffs/swing rate, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HqjSLo)
Min. 50 swings induced (358 pitchers)
- Carl Edwards Jr.: 50.6%
- Edwin Diaz: 48.3%
- Tommy Kahnle: 47.6%
4-T. Taylor Williams: 45.1%
4-T. Aroldis Chapman: 45.1%
WHITE SOX: Jose Abreu / Yoan Moncada
Highest hard-hit rate*, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2Hc7RZE)
Min. 40 batted balls (212 batters)
- J.D. Martinez: 61.5%
- Yoan Moncada: 61.4%
- Robinson Cano: 60.9%
- Jose Abreu: 60.3%
- Matt Olson: 59.3%
*95+ mph exit velocity
3:10 p.m. ET -- Padres @ Rockies
PADRES: Franchy Cordero
Highest hard-hit rate, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HnMHYB)
Min. 25 batted balls (294 hitters)
- Teoscar Hernandez: 67.9%
- Franchy Cordero: 62.1%
- J.D. Martinez: 61.5%
- Yoan Moncada: 61.4%
- Robinson Cano: 60.9%
ROCKIES: Jon Gray
Gray this year has at times been one step way ahead to finishing two steps behind. In all but his most recent start (a 16-5 drubbing to the Cubs on Friday), Gray has shown flashes of his elite stuff, but the one outlier has been his slider, which historically has been his best pitch. Gray has struggled to locate the offering, particularly when ahead, leaving it largely right over the plate, as his heatmap in such counts reveals:
Lowest whiff/swing % on sliders when ahead in count, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qYJS5h)
Min. 50 sliders thrown when ahead (29 pitchers)
- Jon Gray: 5.7%
- Mike Minor: 6.0%
- Alex Wilson: 7.7%
- Tyson Ross: 7.8%
- Ross Stripling: 9.1%
Gray’s whiff rate on sliders when ahead, 2015-18
2015: 20.0%
2016: 17.9%
2017: 13.8%
2018: 5.7%
Gray’s BA against sliders when ahead, 2015-18
2015: .143
2016: .129
2017: .143
2018: .385
3:45 p.m. ET -- Nationals @ Giants
NATIONALS: Max Scherzer
Highest whiff/swing %, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qNoJLn)
Min. 100 swings generated (136 pitchers)
- Patrick Corbin: 42.3%
- Max Scherzer: 37.3%
- Shohei Ohtani: 36.6%
- Robbie Ray: 35.4%
- Dylan Bundy: 34.7%
GIANTS: Jeff Samardzija
Highest avg. spin rate on four-seam fastballs, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qYxpP1)
Min. 25 four-seamers thrown (150 starters)
- Justin Verlander: 2,623 RPM
- Garrett Richards: 2,609 RPM
- Yu Darvish: 2,548 RPM
- Tyson Ross: 2,542 RPM
- Jeff Samardzija: 2,536 RPM
- Max Scherzer: 2,532 RPM
Samardzija’s avg. four-seam spin rate, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2r00o55)
2015: 2,480 RPM
2016: 2,451 RPM
2017: 2,478 RPM
2018: 2,536 RPM
Samardzija’s BA allowed on four-seam fastball, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qYxOB1)
2015: .283
2016: .271
2017: .209
2018: 1-for-7 (.143) in first start
4:05 p.m. ET doubleheader -- Tigers @ Pirates
TIGERS: Matthew Boyd (Game 2)
PIRATES: Jameson Taillon (Game 2)
Lowest hard-hit rate* allowed, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2Hn8kZh)
Min. 50 batted balls (135 pitchers)
- Jose Berrios: 18.8%
- Tyler Chatwood: 21.4%
- Rick Porcello: 23.3%
- Jameson Taillon: 24.6%
- Blake Snell: 25.0%
- Charlie Morton: 25.4%
- Matthew Boyd: 25.5%
*% of batted balls with 95+ mph exit velocity
6:35 p.m. ET -- Twins @ Yankees
TWINS: Lance Lynn
Highest whiff-per-swing rate on 4-seamers, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2Hn7c7M)
Min. 50 swings vs. 4-seamer (83 pitchers)
- Max Scherzer: 39.6%
- Lance Lynn: 36.2%
- J.A. Happ: 34.2%
- Jacob deGrom: 33.3%
- Chris Sale: 31.8%
YANKEES: Sonny Gray
Gray's % of pitches thrown behind in the count, by season
(https://atmlb.com/2HpNlFd)
2013: 28.7%
2014: 28.6%
2015: 27.2%
2016: 28.1%
2017: 26.5%
2018: 33.9% (career high)
Gray's % of pitches thrown ahead in the count, by season
(https://atmlb.com/2HoJSqz)
2013: 27.8%
2014: 27.9%
2015: 29.0%
2016: 27.8%
2017: 29.0%
2018: 20.9% (career low)
6:40 p.m. ET -- Braves @ Reds
BRAVES: Freddie Freeman
Freeman broke up Tyler Mahle's no-hit bid in the seventh inning Tuesday with a moonshot home run -- 107.7 mph exit velocity, 30-degree launch angle, 421 feet projected distance. Then he added another later on -- 106.8 mph, 29 degrees, 421 feet off Amir Garrett. Both pitches were four-seam fastballs, which Freeman crushes. And high-arcing homers like the first one are another of his specialties.
Highest SLG vs. 4-seam fastballs, 2016-18
(https://atmlb.com/2HbzXEF)
Min. 250 AB decided on 4-seamers (162 hitters)
- J.D. Martinez: .734
- Freddie Freeman: .690
- Brian Dozier: .679
- Daniel Murphy: .676
- Mark Trumbo: .659
Most HR with launch angle of 30+ degrees, 2016-18
(https://atmlb.com/2KbvhfL)
- Freddie Freeman: 43
- Chris Davis: 41
3-T. Kris Bryant: 40
3-T. Brian Dozier: 40
5-T. Paul Goldschmidt: 37
5-T. Charlie Blackmon: 37
5-T. Joey Votto: 37
REDS: Billy Hamilton
Fastest players by baserunning sprint speed, 2018
Sprint speed leaderboard: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard
- Byron Buxton: 30.5 ft/sec
2-T. Trea Turner: 30.0 ft/sec
2-T. Adam Engel: 30.0 ft/sec
4-T. Billy Hamilton: 29.8 ft/sec*
4-T. Trevor Story: 29.8 ft/sec
MLB avg. sprint speed = 27 ft/sec; 30+ ft/sec = elite sprint speed
*Hamilton: 30.4 ft/sec sprint speed on infield single in Tuesday's game
7:05 p.m. ET -- D-backs @ Phillies
D-BACKS: Zack Greinke
Greinke pitched seven innings of three-hit, one-run baseball in his last start against the Giants despite getting only six swings-and-misses, one of his lowest single-game swinging strike rates since joining the D-backs.
Greinke's lowest swinging strike rate in a start with D-backs (since 2016)
(https://atmlb.com/2qWMAIy)
- Aug. 30, 2016 vs. Giants: 4.6%
- May 28, 2016 vs. Padres: 5.2%
- June 13, 2017 vs. Tigers: 5.9%
- April 19, 2018 vs. Giants: 6.8% (6 swinging strikes on 88 pitches)
- Sept. 21, 2016 vs. Padres: 7.5%
PHILLIES: Jake Arrieta
Arrieta delivered a gem for his new team in his last start, striking out 10 in seven one-hit innings -- including an unusually high seven K's on his sinker.
Arrieta's K's vs. Pirates on 4/19
Arrieta's most K's with sinker/2-seamer in a start since Statcast's intro in 2015
(https://atmlb.com/2qXk61f)
1-T. June 5, 2016 vs. D-backs: 8
1-T. May 14, 2016 vs. Pirates: 8
3-T. April 19, 2018 vs. Pirates: 7
3-T. June 17, 2016 vs. Pirates: 7
5-T. Aug. 24, 2017 vs. Reds: 6
5-T. Aug. 18, 2017 vs. Blue Jays: 6
5-T. April 9, 2017 vs. Brewers: 6
Most K's with sinker/2-seamer in a game, MLB, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2r0T49A)
1-T. Corey Kluber: 8 (April 9 vs. Tigers)
1-T. Derek Holland: 8 (April 9 vs. D-backs)
- Jake Arrieta: 7 (April 19 vs. Pirates)
- Kendall Graveman: 5 (April 20 vs. Red Sox)
- 15 pitchers tied with 4 K's with sinker/2-seamer in a game
7:05 p.m. ET -- Rays @ Orioles
RAYS: Jose Alvarado
Highest avg. fastball* velocity, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2EbflpC)
- Jordan Hicks: 98.9 mph
- Justin Anderson: 98.8 mph
- Aroldis Chapman: 98.4 mph
- Jose Alvarado: 98.0 mph
- Tayron Guerrero: 97.9 mph
*4-seamer/2-seamer/sinker
ORIOLES: Alex Cobb
Highest hard-hit rate* allowed, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qSeeYb)
Min. 25 batted balls allowed (149 pitchers)
- Alex Cobb: 61.1%
- Marcus Stroman: 59.7%
- Mike Leake: 59.4%
- Luis Perdomo: 56.0%
- Nick Tropeano: 54.3%
*% of batted balls with 95+ mph exit velocity
7:07 p.m. ET -- Red Sox @ Blue Jays
RED SOX: Eduardo Rodriguez
Highest swinging-strike rate, AL SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qXaepd)
Min. 250 total pitches (66 pitchers)
- Dylan Bundy: 17.8%
- Chris Sale: 16.2%
- Shohei Ohtani: 16.1%
- Gerrit Cole: 16.0%
- Eduardo Rodriguez: 15.7%
Most swinging strikes in a game, Red Sox, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qUsa3I)
- Chris Sale: 21 (April 10)
- Eduardo Rodriguez: 20 (April 19)
- Chris Sale: 19 (April 3)
4-T. Chris Sale: 14 (April 21)
4-T. Rick Porcello: 14 (April 18)
4-T. Eduardo Rodriguez: 14 (April 13)
4-T. Chris Sale: 14 (March 29)
BLUE JAYS: Team offense
Highest team hard-hit rate*, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HMjkP3)
- Blue Jays: 45.4%
- White Sox: 42.7%
- Athletics: 42.2%
- Red Sox: 41.2%
- Yankees: 39.1%%
*95+ mph exit velocity
Highest team barrel rate, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HJFdia)
- Blue Jays: 10.9%
- Yankees: 10.4%
- Red Sox: 9.6%
- White Sox: 9.5%
- Orioles: 9.3%
7:10 p.m. ET -- Cubs @ Indians
CUBS: Kyle Schwarber
Cubs’ hardest-hit HRs, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2r1t1iy)
- Kyle Schwarber: 117.1 mph (4/24/18 @ CLE)
- Kyle Schwarber: 114.3 mph (9/19/17 @ TB)
- Kyle Schwarber: 114.2 mph (5/23/17 vs. SFG)
- Jorge Soler: 114.1 mph (9/15/16 vs. MIL)
5-T. Kyle Schwarber: 113.6 mph (6/14/17 @ NYM)
5-T. Willson Contreras: 113.6 mph (5/12/17 @ STL)
Hardest-hit HRs, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2GD1Ftq)
- Giancarlo Stanton: 117.9 mph (April 4)
- Hanley Ramirez: 117.5 mph (April 11)
- Giancarlo Stanton: 117.3 mph (March 29)
- Marcell Ozuna: 117.2 mph (April 3)
- Kyle Schwarber: 117.1 mph (April 24)
INDIANS: Edwin Encarnacion
Encarnacion’s whiffs/swing rate by season
(https://atmlb.com/2HsL9wz)
2013 -- 16.1%
2014 -- 18.8%
2015 -- 23.1%
2016 -- 23.6%
2017 -- 25.4%
2018 -- 29.3%
7:35 p.m. ET -- Marlins @ Dodgers
MARLINS: Trevor Richards
Lowest swinging-strike % vs. right-handed hitters, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qXNjcp)
Min. 150 pitches thrown to righties (139 pitchers)
- Martin Perez: 3.8%
- Bryan Mitchell: 4.2%
3-T. Trevor Richards: 4.5%
3-T. Brandon McCarthy: 4.5%
- Michael Wacha: 5.1%
DODGERS: Clayton Kershaw
Highest 1st-pitch strike* %, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qYbQhP)
Min. 100 batters faced (69 starters)
- Masahiro Tanaka: 72.5%
- Alex Wood: 70.4%
3-T. Clayton Kershaw: 70.0%
3-T. Nick Pivetta: 70.0%
- Brandon McCarthy: 69.6%
*Includes balls in play
Highest first-pitch swing % induced, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2qWyGpX)
Min. 100 batters faced (82 starters)
- Max Scherzer: 40.8%
- Clayton Kershaw: 38.5%
3-T. Alex Wood: 37.4%
3-T. Carlos Carrasco: 37.4%
- Chris Archer: 35.8%
Kershaw’s first-pitch BA allowed, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qZj7xP)
2015: .305
2016: .299
2017: .300
2018: .435 (10-for-23)
8:05 p.m. ET -- Athletics @ Rangers
ATHLETICS: Jed Lowrie
Lowrie’s contact %* on in-zone swings, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qY8lIa)
2015: 86.1%
2016: 85.7%
2017: 86.1%
2018: 89.9% (14th of 131 hitters, min. 100 in-zone swings -- https://atmlb.com/2qXYwtI)
Lowrie’s BA vs. in-zone pitches, 2015-18
(https://atmlb.com/2qYw6zx)
2015: .230
2016: .277
2017: .306
2018: .430 (2nd-highest of 137 hitters, min. 50 ABs ending on in-zone pitches -- https://atmlb.com/2qYaSSs)
RANGERS: Delino DeShields
Deshields’ 5-Star catch vs. A’s on Tuesday
Distance needed: 109 feet
Opportunity time: 5.6 seconds
Sprint speed: 29.5 ft/seconds (MLB elite is 30+ ft/sec)
Catch probability: 4%
Stars:
8:15 p.m. ET -- Brewers @ Royals
BREWERS: Chase Anderson
Lowest BA allowed on curveballs, SP, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HoYGkU)
Min. 10 at-bats decided on curveball (58 pitchers)
1-T. Chase Anderson: .000 (0-for-10)
1-T. Jameson Taillon: .000 (0-for-12)
- Cole Hamels: .071 (1-for-14)
- Jose Berrios: .083 (2-for-24)
- Zach Davies: .095 (2-for-21)
Anderson’s curve ball usage: 15.9% (72 of 452 pitches)
ROYALS: Mike Moustakas
Most batted balls at 100+ mph, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2JkLDl6)
1-T. Jose Abreu: 33
1-T. DJ LeMahieu: 33
- Mike Moustakas: 32
- Ryan Zimmerman: 30
- Jose Martinez: 28
Rate of batted balls at 100+ mph, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HuFiDa)
Min. 50 balls in play (159 batters)
- Ryan Zimmerman: 49.2%
- Jose Abreu: 48.5%
- J.D. Martinez: 46.2%
- Aaron Judge: 44.6%
- Matt Olson: 42.6%
- Joey Gallo: 42.2%
- Mike Moustakas: 42.1%
8:15 p.m. ET -- Mets @ Cardinals
METS: Yoenis Cespedes
Longest home runs by Mets, 2015-present (reg. and postseason)
(https://atmlb.com/2JgHgbe)
- 463 feet -- Yoenis Cespedes, 4/24/18 at STL
- 461 feet -- Justin Ruggiano, 8/23/16 at STL
- 457 feet -- Yoenis Cesepdes, 8/20/16 at SF
- 456 feet -- Lucas Duda, 7/28/15 vs. SD
- 455 feet -- Travis d’Arnaud, 4/28/17 at WSH
Hardest-hit home runs by Mets, 2015-present (reg. and postseason)
(https://atmlb.com/2HneQz4)
- 115.1 mph -- Yoenis Cespedes (4/24/18 at STL)
- 115.0 mph -- Michael Conforto (9/13/15 at ATL)
- 114.1 mph -- Lucas Duda (9/26/15 at CIN)
- 113.6 mph -- Lucas Duda (4/19/16 at PHI)
- 113.5 mph -- Michael Conforto (2015 NLDS Game 2 at LAD)
CARDINALS: Jordan Hicks
Most 100+ mph pitches thrown, 2018
(https://atmlb.com/2HqHOOM)
- Jordan Hicks: 32
- Aroldis Chapman: 13
- Tayron Guerrero: 12
- Shohei Ohtani: 6
- Luis Severino: 2
USEFUL LINKS
- Statcast glossary: http://m.mlb.com/glossary/statcast
- Statcast search: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search
- Hitting/pitching leaders: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_leaderboard
- Sprint speed leaders: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/sprint_speed_leaderboard
- Catch prob. leaders: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/catch_probability_leaderboard
- Outs Above Avg. leaders: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/outs_above_average
- Catcher pop time/arm strength leaders: https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/poptime
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- Longest HRs of 2018: https://atmlb.com/2GEJ5Bh
- Hardest HRs of 2018: https://atmlb.com/2GD1Ftq