Who is the best hitter vs. each pitch type?

Simply earlier than the All-Star break, we explored which pitchers had been dominant on specific pitch types this season. As such, it’s solely pure to dive into the identical phenomenon, in reverse. Which hitters have been most profitable when going up towards sure pitch sorts to date?

To reply this, we’ll as soon as once more focus totally on Statcast’s Run Worth metric. Be happy to look at this page for a extra detailed definition, however to summarize, the premise of Run Worth is that it accounts for the impression of every particular person pitch primarily based on the runners on base, outs, and ball and strike rely. That is essential as a result of many different present superior metrics solely account for sure subsets of pitches — e.g., whiff fee solely consists of pitches that have been swung at, whereas batting common and xwOBA solely contemplate the ultimate pitch of any plate look. However, after all, taking a pitch to show an 0-0 rely right into a 1-0 rely nonetheless is a constructive end result for the batter, an end result which Run Worth accounts for.

With all of that being stated, listed below are one of the best hitters towards every of the six most typical pitch sorts to date this season. Whereas Run Worth is the first determinant of those selections, there have been another underlying metrics that have been thought-about as properly (whiff fee, wOBAxwOBA, and so on.).

All numbers are getting into July 20

Freeman doesn’t simply have MLB’s highest Run Worth towards 4-seam fastballs — his +21 output towards 4-seamers is six extra runs than every other hitter towards any pitch sort this season. His uncooked numbers towards 4-seamers are elite throughout the board, with a .380 batting common, .736 slugging share and .473 wOBA. However such dominance is nothing new for the seven-time All-Star. In every of the previous eight seasons (together with 2023), Freeman has had no less than a .298 batting common and no less than a .530 slugging share towards 4-seamers.

Carroll’s exceptional rookie season has been among MLB’s biggest storylines all yearand the power to hit sinkers is likely one of the many expertise that he’s proven off to date. Although Caroll ranks simply behind Mookie Betts in Run Worth towards sinkers, he ranks in first place in OBP (.500), slugging share (.795) and wOBA (.533) amongst 131 gamers to have no less than 50 plate appearances finish in sinkers. However, maybe much more impressively, Carroll’s +9 right here isn’t even his highest Run Worth towards a pitch sort. Because of a .352 batting common and .716 slugging share, he additionally has a +13 towards 4-seamers, for good measure.

Whereas the pattern measurement of cutters is far smaller throughout the game than it’s for 4-seamers or sinkers, Rooker has nonetheless stood out along with his elite efficiency towards such pitches, one purpose that the 28-year-old was a surprise All-Star after being claimed off waivers within the offseason. Past rating close to the highest of MLB in Run Worth, Rooker has 5 homers towards cutters this season, tied for many in MLB with the Twins’ Max Kepler. This has led to a .500 batting common and a preposterous 1.700 slugging share on such pitches for Rooker, numbers that leap off the web page even when accounting for the smaller pattern. His slugging share and .764 wOBA lead all gamers with no less than 15 plate appearances ending in cutters.

Acuña truly isn’t fairly MLB’s chief in Run Worth towards sliders, as he ranks in second, barely behind the Rangers’ adolis garcia. However Acuña’s underlying metrics are stronger, giving him the slight nod right here. In opposition to sliders, Acuña’s batting common (.324), OBP (.398), slugging share (.649), wOBA (.439) are all higher than García’s, as are his anticipated values in every of these 4 metrics. Acuña additionally has a exceptional common exit velocity of 96.8 mph towards sliders this season, a full 1.5 mph greater than the next-closest participant with no less than 25 batted balls towards sliders (Gunnar Henderson). Whereas the overwhelming NL MVP favorite has been efficient towards just about each pitch sort this season, the way in which he has feasted towards sliders stands out probably the most.

Díaz’s Run Worth towards curveballs leads MLB, as his manufacturing on such pitches has been off the charts. Amongst gamers with no less than 20 plate appearances ending in curveballs, Díaz ranks first in MLB in batting common (.545), OBP (.565) and wOBA (.687). He solely has two strikeouts on plate appearances ending in curveballs, and he, like Rooker, made his first career All-Star appearance this season. In reality, he has been virtually as prone to hit a house run on a curveball (three cases this season) as he has been to swing and miss at one (4 cases).

Soto is simply behind Freeman within the Run Worth leaderboard towards changeups, however, equally to Acuña on sliders, Soto has elite numbers in a number of different metrics to present him the sting. Soto has outperformed Freeman in OBP (.525), slugging share (.655) and wOBA (.496) towards changeups, turning round his efficiency towards them after batting simply .215 and slugging .285 off changeups from 2021-22. And, as is usually the case with Soto, it’s his elite plate self-discipline that stands out. Soto has solely chased on 10.5% of changeups exterior the strike zone, a full 6.2 p.c decrease than every other participant to see no less than 50 out-of-zone changeups this season.