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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