Analyzing Early Season Exit Velocity Data: Breakouts and Surprises in the 2024 Baseball Season

The 2024 baseball season is well underway, and as we approach the one-month mark, some interesting trends are starting to emerge. One particular stat that has caught the attention of many is Statcast’s new metric called EV50, which measures the average exit velocity of the top 50% of a hitter’s batted balls. This stat provides valuable insight into a hitter’s consistent top-end exit velocities and has shown a strong correlation with future power production.

Among the top 15 hitters in the EV50 leaderboard are some familiar names like Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, there are also some surprising names making waves, such as Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles. Westburg, who was not highly touted coming into the season, has already hit five home runs with a .316 batting average and a 12.7% barrel rate, proving his power potential.

Another player turning heads is Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants. Despite making more contact and swinging less overall, Chapman is hitting just .228, showcasing the unpredictability of baseball statistics. However, his improved approach at the plate could lead to a more productive season in the long run.

Other notable players on the EV50 leaderboard include Starling Marte of the New York Mets, Brenton Doyle of the Colorado Rockies, Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers, Maikel Garcia of the Kansas City Royals, and Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Each player brings a unique skill set to the table, with the potential to impact their respective teams in significant ways.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these hitters continue to perform and whether their early success is sustainable. With advanced metrics like EV50 providing valuable insights into player performance, fans can expect an exciting and unpredictable season ahead in Major League Baseball.