BATTERS: Swinging strike rates
Jan 20 2023
Swinging strike rate (SwK%) has been a crucial component of our pitching toolbox for the last 10 years due to its ability to predict a pitcher's strikeout rate.
It seems intuitive that SwK% also would have a strong correlation with a batter's contact rate. After all, as a pitcher's strikeout rate increases, a batter's contact rate will head in the opposite direction.
The link between contact rate and batting average continues to be strong. Among hitters with seasons of 100+ plate appearances since 2018, batting average steadily increases as their contact rate increases:
The primary driver of a batter's contact rate is their SwK%. There is a pretty strong negative correlation between the two (r = -0.70), meaning as SwK% increases, ct% (and...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Batters
May has provided fantasy players with new lead-off hitters for The Athletics, the Yankees, and the Orioles.
May 16 2025 3:09am
A healthy Endy Rodriguez has a combination of good exit velocity and low chase that could help him tap into his former prospect pedigree.
May 12 2025 3:07am
May 12 2025 3:07am
Jorge Polanco's excellent stats in April came with good underlying support.
May 5 2025 3:07am
May 5 2025 3:07am
This week's column focuses on the fantasy impact of Jeremy Peña potentially taking over at lead-off and Marcus Semien no longer hitting first.
May 2 2025 3:06am
May 2 2025 3:06am
Adley Rutschman's quiet start to the 2025 season is hiding some impressing underlying gains.
Apr 28 2025 3:05am
Apr 28 2025 3:05am
