The Opposite Effect: Giving the Batter the Edge
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Left-Handed Batters Have the Advantage The Opposite Effect Giving the Batter the Edge Yen Chang | Simon Lan | Jimmy Lin | Robert Surane GSB 510 Project Presentation
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Transcript of The Opposite Effect: Giving the Batter the Edge
Left-HandedBattersHavetheAdvantage
The Opposite Effect Giving the Batter the Edge
Yen Chang | Simon Lan | Jimmy Lin | Robert SuraneGSB 510 Project Presentation
What’s the Matchup?
What’s the Matchup?
Opposite Side Duel
Same Side Duel
MLB Population Breakdown
57%
72%
43%
28%
Right-handedLeft-handed Pitcher
Left-handed Batter Right-handed
What’s the Matchup?
Opposite Side Duel
Same Side Duel
What’s the Matchup?
Opposite Side Duel
Same Side Duel
Quick Introduction to the Rule
As a hitter, you can swing to make a hit, slug to the outfield, or strikeout.
Opposite Side Batters Perform Better
Similar Plate Appearance
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
Opposite Side Batters Perform Better
Similar Plate Appearance
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
0%
50%
100%
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
Opposite Same
Opposite Match Batters Hit More
Similar Plate Appearance
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
On average, the gap is about 0.02, which matters a lot to a hitter.
Avg. AVG
Opposite
Same
Opposite Match Batters Hit Farther
Similar Plate Appearance
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
On average, the gap is about 0.05, which means many extra-base hits.
Avg. SLG
Opposite
Same
Opposite Matches Keep Batters Safer
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
Similar Plate Appearance
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
On average, the gap is about 3%, which means less strikeouts.
Avg. K%
Opposite
Same
What Causes This Effect?
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
L H B
R H B
RHP
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
0.4% 1.4% 2.5% 2.4% 2.1%
1.1% 3.3% 5.1% 4.5% 3.2%
2.5% 6.2% 8.5% 7.0% 4.1%
3.3% 6.5% 7.6% 5.6% 2.7%
4.7% 5.8% 5.4% 3.2% 1.1%
L H B
R H B
RHPFor Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
0.4% 1.4% 2.5% 2.4% 2.1%
1.1% 3.3% 5.1% 4.5% 3.2%
2.5% 6.2% 8.5% 7.0% 4.1%
3.3% 6.5% 7.6% 5.6% 2.7%
4.7% 5.8% 5.4% 3.2% 1.1%
L H B
R H B
RHPFor Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
L H B
R H B
LHP
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
1.6% 2.1% 2.5% 1.5% 0.5%
2.7% 4.3% 5.0% 3.8% 1.6%
3.5% 6.7% 8.5% 6.5% 3.2%
2.2% 5.7% 7.9% 6.6% 3.9%
0.9% 3.1% 5.4% 5.7% 5.1%
L H B
R H B
LHPFor Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most of the Balls Follow the Throwing Path
1.6% 2.1% 2.5% 1.5% 0.5%
2.7% 4.3% 5.0% 3.8% 1.6%
3.5% 6.7% 8.5% 6.5% 3.2%
2.2% 5.7% 7.9% 6.6% 3.9%
0.9% 3.1% 5.4% 5.7% 5.1%
L H B
R H B
LHPFor Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
Most Batters Prefer Middle to In Pitches
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
74% 67% 64% 61% 66%
87% 89% 83% 78% 71%
82% 93% 93% 87% 80%
52% 82% 82% 84% 73%
17% 40% 56% 55% 33%
L H B
LHP or RHP
Most Batters Prefer Middle to In Pitches
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
74% 67% 64% 61% 66%
87% 89% 83% 78% 71%
82% 93% 93% 87% 80%
52% 82% 82% 84% 73%
17% 40% 56% 55% 33%
L H B
LHP or RHP
Most Batters Prefer Middle to In Pitches
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
70% 68% 61% 63% 68%
72% 77% 80% 85% 89%
69% 85% 89% 93% 86%
51% 77% 86% 86% 69%
17% 43% 54% 50% 27%
LHP or RHP
R H B
Most Batters Prefer Middle to In Pitches
For Pitchers Motion of Pitches
For Hitters Hitting Preference
70% 68% 61% 63% 68%
72% 77% 80% 85% 89%
69% 85% 89% 93% 86%
51% 77% 86% 86% 69%
17% 43% 54% 50% 27%
LHP or RHP
R H B
Teams Are Recruiting More LHP
Same Match Pitchers Perform Better
Increase LHP Staff More Same Matches
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
Teams Are Recruiting More LHP
Same Match Pitchers Perform Better
Higher Batting Average
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
Avg. AVG
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
Same matchups result in lower Batting Average.
Opposite
Same
Teams Are Recruiting More LHP
0%
15%
30%
45%
2002 '04 '06 '08 '10 '12 '14 '16
24.5%
29.3%LHP % of Total Pitchers
Avg. LHB % of Total Batters: 43%Same Match Pitchers Perform Better
Increase LHP Staff More Same Matches
Greater Slugging Rate
Lower Strikeout %
Left-HandedBattersHavetheAdvantage
The Opposite Effect Giving the Batter the Edge
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