SPRING 2022, VOLUME 3

AUTHORS

Minsoo Park, University of Pennsylvania (Moneyball Academy)
Richard Yang, University of Pennsylvania (Moneyball Academy)
Neil Rowe, University of Pennsylvania (Moneyball Academy)
Wesley Fletcher, University of Pennsylvania (Moneyball Academy)

ABSTRACT

In baseball it is commonly believed that throwing harder, pitches of higher velocity, leads to more whiffs, a batter’s swing and miss at a pitch.  In this study, we investigate if pitch spin rate and velocity affect the whiff rate.  MLB pitcher pitch data was from baseball savant’s statcast.  However, we observe a weak correlation between velocity and whiff rate. If more velocity doesn’t lead to more whiffs, then is spin the key factor that affects a pitcher’s ability to miss bats?