Laurila: Players’ view: Will hitters adjust to the high-spin high heater?
From SABR member David Laurila at FanGraphs on August 23, 2017:
More and more pitchers have been throwing four-seam fastballs at, and just above, the top of the strike zone. The trend has been influenced by multiple factors. Spin-rate data is one of them, and so is the fact that an increasing number of hitters are tailoring their swings with launch angle in mind. Well sequenced and well located — especially if it has good carry — the pitch is extremely difficult to square up.
Will hitters be able to adjust to the proliferation of high-spin heaters up and over the zone, and thus make it a less effective pitch? I asked 20 players and coaches — 10 on the hitting side of the equation and an equal number on the pitching side — for their thoughts on the subject.
Read the full article here: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/players-view-will-hitters-adjust-to-the-high-spin-high-heater/
Originally published: August 24, 2017. Last Updated: August 24, 2017.