Blame the baseball (re MLB)

[Bob78164]

According to this article by Rob Arthur at FiveThirtyEight.com, the increase in home runs since the 2015 All Star Break can likely be attributed to changes in the baseball. Specifically, baseballs now used in MLB are a little bouncier and a smidgen more aerodynamic (smaller circumference and flatter stitches) than they used to be. MLB says that baseballs continue to conform to MLB standards. Although the story reports this as a denial that things have changed (and that may have been the intent), it doesn't actually constitute a denial of the findings. --Bob

[Estonut]

According to this article by Rob Arthur at FiveThirtyEight.com, the increase in home runs since the 2015 All Star Break can likely be attributed to changes in the baseball. Specifically, baseballs now used in MLB are a little bouncier and a smidgen more aerodynamic (smaller circumference and flatter stitches) than they used to be. MLB says that baseballs continue to conform to MLB standards. Although the story reports this as a denial that things have changed (and that may have been the intent), it doesn't actually constitute a denial of the findings.

If the stitches are flatter, then pitchers are not getting as much movement of the ball, either. This, of course, would favor the hitters, too.

[Bob78164]

According to this article by Rob Arthur at FiveThirtyEight.com, the increase in home runs since the 2015 All Star Break can likely be attributed to changes in the baseball. Specifically, baseballs now used in MLB are a little bouncier and a smidgen more aerodynamic (smaller circumference and flatter stitches) than they used to be. MLB says that baseballs continue to conform to MLB standards. Although the story reports this as a denial that things have changed (and that may have been the intent), it doesn't actually constitute a denial of the findings.

If the stitches are flatter, then pitchers are not getting as much movement of the ball, either. This, of course, would favor the hitters, too.

Worth checking but Pitch f/x is measuring pitch movement directly (both inches of travel and pitch RPMs) so the data is out there. I would hope that Arthur checked that but he didn't say so. --Bob

[littlebeast13]

As was noted by a commenter in one of the many articles on this subject I've read..... much of the homerun spike has come from middling players who are suddenly becoming 20, 30 and even 40 homer beasts. Take a look at the MLB homerun leaderboard as of yesterday....

1. Judge • NYY 22
2. Zimmerman • WSN 19
Morrison • TBR 19
Votto • CIN 19
5. Smoak • TOR 18
Schebler • CIN 18
Moustakas • KCR 18
Springer • HOU 18
Gallo • TEX 18
10. Bellinger • LAD 17
Ozuna • MIA 17
Thames • MIL 17
Bruce • NYM 17
Reynolds • COL 17
Stanton • MIA 17
Davis • OAK 17

You have so many players on a pace for a 40 homer season, yet only Aaron Judge currently on track to top 50. Shouldn't a juiced ball also give us a number of 50 and even 60 and 70 HR pace hitters like the so-called PED era did?

lb13

[Bob78164]

As was noted by a commenter in one of the many articles on this subject I've read..... much of the homerun spike has come from middling players who are suddenly becoming 20, 30 and even 40 homer beasts. Take a look at the MLB homerun leaderboard as of yesterday....

1. Judge • NYY 22
2. Zimmerman • WSN 19
Morrison • TBR 19
Votto • CIN 19
5. Smoak • TOR 18
Schebler • CIN 18
Moustakas • KCR 18
Springer • HOU 18
Gallo • TEX 18
10. Bellinger • LAD 17
Ozuna • MIA 17
Thames • MIL 17
Bruce • NYM 17
Reynolds • COL 17
Stanton • MIA 17
Davis • OAK 17

You have so many players on a pace for a 40 homer season, yet only Aaron Judge currently on track to top 50. Shouldn't a juiced ball also give us a number of 50 and even 60 and 70 HR pace hitters like the so-called PED era did?

lb13

According to the article, the difference is a 4% increase in home runs. --Bob

[eyégor]

As was noted by a commenter in one of the many articles on this subject I've read..... much of the homerun spike has come from middling players who are suddenly becoming 20, 30 and even 40 homer beasts. Take a look at the MLB homerun leaderboard as of yesterday....

1. Judge • NYY 22
2. Zimmerman • WSN 19
Morrison • TBR 19
Votto • CIN 19
5. Smoak • TOR 18
Schebler • CIN 18
Moustakas • KCR 18
Springer • HOU 18
Gallo • TEX 18
10. Bellinger • LAD 17
Ozuna • MIA 17
Thames • MIL 17
Bruce • NYM 17
Reynolds • COL 17
Stanton • MIA 17
Davis • OAK 17

You have so many players on a pace for a 40 homer season, yet only Aaron Judge currently on track to top 50. Shouldn't a juiced ball also give us a number of 50 and even 60 and 70 HR pace hitters like the so-called PED era did?

lb13

According to the article, the difference is a 4% increase in home runs. --Bob

Looks like Davey Johnson & Brady Anderson are coming out of retirement to me.