Detroit, Michigan – The ability to hit a baseball may sound simple, but in the major leagues, facing pitchers with upper-90s heat makes it anything but. Young hitters often struggle when they’re up against the refined pitching staff of the big leagues at first. However, there are certain skills and abilities, such as discerning balls and strikes, that can help young players figure it out and potentially break out in the league.
One metric used to gauge a player’s ability to discern balls and strikes is by measuring how often they swing at pitches inside the strike zone and subtracting how much they swing at pitches outside the zone. Another important factor to consider is a player’s ability to hit the ball hard, which can be measured by barrel rate and maximum exit velocity. Additionally, metrics like zone minus outside zone swing rate, barrel rate, and swinging strike rate can provide insights into a player’s plate discipline, raw and game power, and hit tool.
Furthermore, statistics for young players under the age of 25 can be compared to identify potential breakout stars. For example, Elly De La Cruz is highlighted as a young player with the potential to break out this season. Last year, other young breakout players included Lars Nootbaar, Isaac Paredes, and Riley Greene.
Players like Torkelson and Suwinski have demonstrated their power potential, but there are still areas for improvement, such as increasing walk rates, improving luck, and aiming for more consistency. The article provides insights into their performance metrics and areas for growth, contributing to the analysis and projections of their potential breakout seasons.
Similarly, Alvarez, a catcher with impressive raw power, is analyzed for his potential to cut his strikeout rate, show more patience, and elevate his power to become one of the best offensive catchers in the game. By examining his swing patterns and ability to adjust to different pitch locations, his potential for growth and improvement is discussed.
Overall, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the skills, metrics, and potentials of young baseball players, shedding light on the factors contributing to their breakout potential and areas for further development and improvement.