BALTIMORE — Red Sox star Alex Bregman made an exciting prediction about rookie Roman Anthony. He believes this 21-year-old will become one of the best hitters in baseball. Bregman pointed out that Anthony already hit a ball with an exit velocity of 111 mph in just his second MLB at-bat. To put that in perspective, Bregman’s own career best is 109.6 mph.
But why does exit velocity matter? It’s not just about flashy numbers. Bregman, who has hit plenty of home runs over the years, has often measured below average in exit velocity. In fact, during eight of his ten MLB seasons, he ranked in the 53rd percentile or lower. Yet, he still hit 41 homers in 2019 and 31 in 2018.
Bregman shared his thoughts, stating, “Hitting it in the air helps. The harder you hit, the further it goes.” He noted that it’s also about the right spin and aiming for a launch angle between 25 to 32 degrees. Finding that balance seems key to achieving power at the plate.
Interestingly, Bregman is having a standout year himself. With an average exit velocity of 90.6 mph, he ranks in the 65th percentile. In contrast, Anthony is averaging 94.4 mph, making him a player to watch.
Their hitting styles, though similar, show that power can come from different approaches. Bregman points out the importance of hitting the ball at the right angle and with the right technique, such as creating backspin. This year, Anthony has shown incredible potential, with his hardest-hit ball reaching 113.7 mph and hitting five home runs in his last 15 games.
Even more remarkable, Anthony made history by becoming the youngest Red Sox player ever to lead off a game with a home run. Hitting consistently hard is key, and Bregman has some advice for achieving this: “Hit the inside part of the ball out front.”
In today’s MLB, exit velocity is a huge topic among fans and experts. According to a recent survey, nearly 70% of baseball fans believe exit velocity is a critical factor in evaluating player performance. This shows how much focus is placed on this metric in the sport today.
As analytics continue to evolve in baseball, players like Bregman and Anthony will shape the future of hitting. Their strategies and techniques could serve as a roadmap for aspiring players wanting to make an impact.
For fans and analysts alike, the conversation around exit velocity is only getting started, and players like Anthony might just be the ones to push it further.
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