#exit-velocity

#exit-velocity

To be clear, while this is only a few data points, the r-squared between these two data elements is over 50 percent, i.e., over half the variation in league-average HR/FB alone is explained just by the mean drag coefficient for the year. The chart is also incredibly blatant (one goes up, the other goes down), with the main thing ruining being, in part, 2025 - where the ball's coefficient of restitution changed in addition to its drag coefficient.

What I find so cool about all the metrics we have on exit velocity, spin rate, bat speed, and so forth is that they allow us to define what were once amorphous concepts akin to magic. We have the ability to know beyond a shadow of a doubt which pitcher throws the fastest or which ball was hit the hardest. And you know what? Knowing that doesn't take any of the magic or joy away.

It was a tale of two halves for Barger in 2025. It wasn't until early May that he started getting consistent at-bats day in and day out, and between then and the trade deadline on July 31st, Barger was a borderline elite bat. He produced a 133 wRC+ across 296 plate appearances during that time frame while producing pristine batted ball and quality of contact data.