Alec Bohm, the Phillies’ third baseman, is making waves with his performance this season, and new publicly accessible statistics are shedding light on his success. Major League Baseball’s release of bat tracking data has sparked discussions about the significance of metrics like average bat speed, fast swing rate, squared-up percentage, and blasts.
Among the Phillies, Kyle Schwarber stands out with one of the highest average bat speeds in the league, while Bohm leads his team in both squared-up and blast percentages. These metrics provide valuable insights into a hitter’s performance, as squared-up balls lead to a higher batting average and slugging percentage, while blasts indicate exceptional hitting prowess.
Despite Bohm’s average bat speed being around the league average, his ability to square up pitches has contributed to his impressive start. Conversely, Bryson Stott defies expectations with a slower bat speed but continues to deliver solid performances at the plate.
As a team, the Phillies rank favorably in average bat speed but still have room for improvement in squared-up and blast rates. These new metrics offer a deeper understanding of hitters’ abilities and performance, enhancing the fan experience and potentially influencing ballpark displays in the future.
As baseball evolves with advanced analytics, fans may encounter these new metrics more frequently, providing greater insight into player performance and enriching the game-day experience.