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
No one hit the ball harder on average than Drake Baldwin in May, which helped him produce at an elite clip for the month.
Jun 1 2026 3:06am
Jun 1 2026 3:06am
Bryson Stott and Liam Hicks have enhanced their profiles this year by pulling the ball, in different ways.
May 29 2026 3:06am
May 29 2026 3:06am
JJ Bleday's combination of surging batted ball quality and plate discipline gives him the tools to become an impact bat.
May 25 2026 3:10am
May 25 2026 3:10am
This week's installment of Lineups Outlook highlights three batters benefiting from new batting order spots; plus, hoping for more for two rookies.
May 22 2026 3:07am
May 22 2026 3:07am
Jarred Kelenic's marginal post-promotion production is hiding elite batted ball quality.
May 18 2026 3:07am
May 18 2026 3:07am
