Launch Angle Fad or Fashion?
This article is put together quickly and is just intended to help tell the story of some of those behind the launch angle fad or fashion. That is, some of those who have helped develop the hitting technique which has been around for quite some time but has only recently come out as not being heretical in its opposition to long standing hitting fundamentals. “Launch angle” has become
This article is put together quickly and is just intended to help tell the story of some of those behind the launch angle fad or fashion. That is, some of those who have helped develop the hitting technique which has been around for quite some time but has only recently come out as not being heretical in its opposition to long standing hitting fundamentals.
“Launch angle” has become the latest buzz word in baseball that so often punctuates the dialogue of MLB telecasts. The concept is not new. That buzz words are and are a bit annoying during telecasts.
Launch angle measures the vertical direction of the ball coming off the bat. A launch angle of zero degrees would be a line drive with positive numbers indicating an upward ball flight and negative ones indicating a ball driven into the ground. Analysts have been able to pinpoint the range of 25-35 degrees as the sweet spot for home runs.
The Dodgers recently hired Robert Van Scoyoc as their new hitting coach replacing Turner Ward who moved on to take up the same position with the Cincinnati Reds. Van Scocyo is not the father of launch angle but he is a staunch disciple.
Perhaps his business partner, Craig Wallenbrock, is one of the founding fathers of a hitting approach that attempts to keep the ball in the air and off the ground. At least he recognized long ago the difference for those hitters who did keep the ball in the air more often. Now 72, he had a short stint with the San Diego State baseball team in the late ’60s. He left to participate more actively in the life and beaches of the 60’s. It was not until several years later when his brother asked for help with hitting that Wallenbrock took the bat to ball thing seriously. He found he was good at it and has worked for many years as a hitting consultant with athletes and teams. He has been labeled, the “Oracle of Santa Clarita” by some.
“Craig is the godfather of the hitting revolution,” his partner Von Scoyoc says.
Outfielder Raúl Ibañez joined the Dodgers as a special assistant in 2016. He had been a student of Wallenbrock’s and persuaded the Dodgers to hire his mentor as a consultant. After the regular season, while Los Angeles was in the playoffs, the club sent Chris Taylor to work with Wallenbrock and Van Scoyoc in Glendale, Arizona so he could be ready if needed in the play-offs. He continued to work with them over the winter and produced his magical season in 2017.
Wallenbrock likens the bat to a Samurai sword when a warrior is attacked by three. He identifies the “three warriors” in baseball as the fastball, slider and changeup. The “warrior” that gets to the hitter first is the fastball.
“We have to be in position to fight him first,” Wallenbrock says, “and yet continue through to get the other two.”
Justin Turner is one of those players whose career was rescued by a new hitting approach. To be fair, the new approach was accompanied by a whole new attitude supported by confidence and takes into consideration much more than just an upswing.
Turner’s transformation started way back in 2013 when he was with the New York Mets and a teammate of outfielder Marlin Byrd. He was impressed by Byrd’s apparent knowledge of hitting and lamented about his own situation in which he felt he had good at bats with poor results.
Byrd invited Turner to spend the winter with him and his hitting guru, Doug Latta, who ran a facility in Chatsworth, California in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles.
Latta suggested an overhaul of his swing that spanned both mechanics and philosophy. Turner had always tried to keep his weight back and slap grounders. Latta encouraged him to lower his hands and transfer his body forward to launch the baseball.
“Before launch angle was a big deal,it was constant talk with Doug about getting the ball in the air,” Turner says. “I don’t think about east and west anymore. I think about north and south. I don’t care where it goes, as long as it goes up.”
When Turner finished his first session, Latta was more than a bit impressed with his hand speed. “Does he know what an impact player he can be?” he asked Byrd. Within a month, Turner started to feel comfortable with the adjustment. He could begin to see himself as a slugger.
“I think the biggest component being missed is looking at all these result stats,” Latta said of air-ball revolution talk. “Basically, the proper swing mechanics will always [give] a hitter a longer swing path in the zone through the pitch. What that will allow for is for increase in exit velocity, as a hitter can square up more pitches, and, depending where contact is made, can change launch angle. [The process] is also predicated on a hitter’s setup, making the right move first, and importantly, timing… Poor mechanics and body movements compromise timing.”
In 2017 Max Muncy spent the entire season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Shawn Wooten was the hitting coach who worked with Muncy as did hitting consultant Craig Wallenbrock. Together they gave Muncy a better timing mechanism with a small leg kick and a slight upturn to his swing changing his launch angle. The changes not only increased his bat speed but added lift to his swing. For at least one season in MLB Muncy has been the recipient of the launch angle revolution.
Doug Latta warns against falling love with exit velocity.
“I love the idea of quantifying [the swing],” Latta said. “But if everyone is thinking about exit velocity, guys are going to start over swinging, which is going to create bad body movement and breakdowns, inefficient swings that are not going to be consistent at the major-league level.”
Those same analysts that have been able to pinpoint the range of 25-35 degrees as the sweet spot for home runs agree that it must be paired with an exit velocity of 95 mph or greater. The exit velocity is crucial. At lower velocities, those fly balls become warning track or less outs.
Pitchers are not going to simply accept launch angle as a death knell and are already making adjustments to try to neutralize the growing threat. As evidenced in the World Series pitchers are elevating their fastball as a way of forcing hitters to swing down on the ball. So, what can be done to adjust to the pitcher’s adjustments?
“If it’s a four-seam pitcher who throws the ball higher in the strike zone, we’re going to work on hitting the ball a little lower that day because otherwise we’re going to have problems swinging and missing at it,” Van Scoyoc says. “If it’s a guy who sinks the ball, we’re going to work on hitting it higher. The pitcher is always going to dictate it.”
Launch angle – fad or fashion? I expect it is a bit of both, a fad for some and a fashion for others such as Justin Turner, Josh Donaldson, J.D. Martinez and Logan Morrison. One size does not fit all and it is most likely just one more step in the evolution of trying to master the most difficult task in all of professional sports. That is, using a round bat to hit a round ball hurled from 60’6” away and traveling at 90 mph while bending sideways, up or down.
Image compliments of Baseball Fever
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Discussion (104)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Wow! So far, the Pacers are making me look good!
Imagine what they are with Victor Oladipo.
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We have Pacers Season Tickets and they are fun to watch.
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I may have to get Colts tickets back next year. We are doing the water treatment at Andrew Luck’s new home. He lives (will live) about a mile from me.
Pacers look good tonight. Insert laughing emoji.
To me it sounds like the Dodgers have to trade Puig, Wood, Alvarez and Smith or Wong to get Kluber… maybe Gomes too?
AC,
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Vada Pinson! I hadn’t heard that name in a long time.
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I grew up watching Vada, Frank Robinson, Leo Cardenas, Gordy Coleman, Johnny Edwards, Deron Johnson and some hotshot named Rose.
There is no longer any question in my mind that the Mets and Brodie Van Wagenen are going for it in 2019. This apparent imminent trade between the Mets and M’s makes no sense to me from the Mets standpoint, unless they are going for it in 2019. Rumor – From Mariners – Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz; From Mets – 19-year-old CF Jarred Kelenic (2018 1st Round pick – #6 overall), 23 year old RHSP Justin Dunn (2016 1st round pick #19 overall), starting 2B 27 year old Jeff McNeil, 33 year old RHRP Anthony Swarzak, and 32 year old RF Jay Bruce.
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It makes no sense to me from the Mets position. Robinson Cano may be a better choice for 2019 (maybe), and Edwin Diaz is a budding superstar closer, and both should help. But losing Jeff McNeil is silly as he was outstanding last year at 2B. Plus losing their #3 & #4 prospect, as well as a big LH hitting OF, a serviceable RHRP, and assuming the Cano contract is lost on me. If they wanted to improve their bullpen, they could have signed Kimbrel and kept McNeil and the others AND saved $$$. It does not address the Mets true needs at catcher, 1B, and now OF. With Cespedes out at least until July, their 40 man OF consists of Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, and Brandon Nimmo. They do not have one top 30 OF prospect ready for 2019, meaning Tim Tebow has a shot and they are still short. And now they are older and less reliable at 2B.
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OTOH, Seattle did not need a closer as far away from contention as they are. They improved in the long term at 2B. Jay Bruce gives then options for OF, IB (with RHH Ryon Healy) and DH when Gamel is inserted into the lineup, and the Mets #3 and #4 prospects (both MLB Top 100 prospects). Jarred Kelenic was arguably the best HS bat in last year’s draft.
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Contract wise, Seattle lost a five year $120MM remaining contract for a 36 year old 2B, and assumed a two year $26MM contract for a 32 year old OF.
On paper this looks like all Seattle. BIG!! Maybe that’s why you do not want people without experience doing a job that may be too big for them. But I guess it should be a wait and see on Van Wagenen also??
Me thinks the Mets are about to get fleeced.
Hearing all kinds of noise on MLB on Kluber for Puig and possibly Wood and other guys. I know alot of you guys are Puig haters, but I would move Joc over Yasiel. Plus, Kluber is 33 friggin years old with some arm issues. This trade may come back on us. Are we trading for past performance?
While it is true that Robert Van Scoyoc has not coached 25 players, it is also true that Alex Cora had never managed a major league team. Cora made some mistakes and Van Scoyoc likely will also. It’s where they end up that counts.
Looks like the Dodgers are going to lose another minor league coach. Termel Sledge has been the AA hitting coach for three years. He is now heavily rumored to be moving to the Cubs as their ML Assistant hitting coach.
Great take DC…Stole my thunder..
LeM at @2B and see if we get a RISP specialist from the MLB ranks… Maybe a Bunting specialist also..
Makes me yearn for Junior Gilliam…
Just got our power back. It has been out for about nine hours. Something happened to a transmission line from New Brunswick feeding into Nova Scotia.
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I am a proponent of the Yogi Berra style of hitting: “I see the ball and I hit it.”
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I am not in love with launch angle, not by a long shot. I love station to station baseball, hit and run, opposite field hitting and I am really old school because I think all types of bunts can play a significant part in an offense. To me a sac bunt is not a wasted out because it more often than not can advance a runner into scoring position. It does a much better job than a K or a DP. How about the bunt to beat the shift?
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I am not a fan of solo homers as an offense and I get frustrated with our hitting with RISP and with two outs. For a remedy to that see Boston Red Sox.
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I am not espousing an all out attack with launch angle as the standard bearer. I present the information just as information as I learned about it and am willing to see what Van Scoyoc can do. Could it get any worse than some of our (I say “our” as a definite homer) lack of success for the past two years. We won no rings when a few significant hits could have turned the tide in our favor.
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Having said that, why not try a different kind of hitting coach? Why assume he is a one trick pony? The info I read on him/them is that they do like the ball hit in the air as there are three outfielders with a wide expanse to cover and five infielders (pitcher included) with a much smaller area to cover. And yes, for guys who can adapt and have the exit velocity doubles and home runs are an objective. For all others it is to put the ball into the open areas of the outfield. Easier said than done but isn’t everything in baseball easier said than done?
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Van Scoyoc likes fast balls hit to the opposite field and off speed stuff pulled. That sounds reasonable to me.
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They want hitters to keep their bat “on plane” in the hitting zone for as long as possible, creating swings that are capable of handling a variety of pitches. But they also believe every hitter is unique – some are taller, some have shorter arms, some have better vision than others – and the coaches say they believe in discovering the most effective swing, not producing cookie-cutter actions for everyone.
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I am not defending Van Scoyoc but I don’t believe he advocates one size fits all as no hitting coach should. “The process is also predicated on a hitter’s setup, making the right move first, and importantly, timing. Poor mechanics and body movements compromise timing.” Wasn’t helping Justin Turner with his timing mechanism maybe more important that changing his launch angle? What good is the angle without the timing?
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I would submit that one who knows something about the physics of hitting and the physiology of the hitter can help the hitter with his mechanics. Concern is that the hitters have to buy into whatever Van Scoyoc has to offer. If they don’t then that is on them just as it is when anyone tries to coach them. They can resist and continue to pop the ball up, not advance runners, K, lead the league in LOB ball, not hit with two out. That is an option or they can try to improve on that.
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Why would a hitting coach mess with success? A couple of players to represent the others in their categories.
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Some players with relatively high exit velocity succeed by hitting line drives instead of fly balls. For example, Colorado’s D.J. LeMahieu has about the same exit velocity as the Mets’ Michael Conforto, but hits many more line drives and ground balls than fly balls.
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LeMahieu is even more aggressive about putting balls in play between 0 and 20 degrees, and has many more of them fall in for hits. LeMahieu’s batting average on those balls in play is well above the league average.
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Conversely, low launch angles tend to be the domain of quick, slap-hitting middle infielders who generate lots of ground balls. Dee Gordon, for example, was toward the low end of the spectrum with an average launch angle of 2.9 degrees. Certainly it would be folly to expect Dee to loft fly balls. They would be easy outs. What if his launch angle could be increased just enough to hit more line drives? How many more doubles would he have?
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I am not really the progressive thinker Mark suggests I am. I long for much of the good old days but that may just be that my youth and middle age have long gone by. If we had a fist full of rings I would say no to the hiring of Robert Van Scoyoc. We don’t so I am all in on seeing what he can do. Youth is not an issue. It is refreshing. A different overall approach is not all that scary. It too is refreshing.
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As a number have said, let’s just wait and see. I have enough confidence in Andrew Friedman and his support crew to know that if not successful, this will be just another short term experiment. If not, Go Dodgers.
Evidently Friedman just drove up the price for Richards.
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“Don’t let your competition buy too cheap.”
The Dodger offensive strength is mostly from the lefty swingers which includes Puig if you will. The next players up are Verdugo, Toles, and Lux and all lefty bats. Taylor and Hernandez and Barnes are not strong enough to help Turner. Machado is gone.
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Who will compliment Bellinger, Seager, Pederson, Verdugo, Puig, Muncy, Toles, from the right side other than Turner? Kemp? Maybe.
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They need a righty bat at either catcher or second base or both. They have lots of help coming for catcher but the help at second base is a lefty hitter in Lux. Therefore, I will come back to trading for Gleyber Torres and will offer Lux and Muncy. The Yankees need infielders and can always use lefty bats given the right field foul line. Torres is not a plus defensive infielder. Muncy might fill in for him this year and Lux next year when Muncy would move to first base which is not a strength for the Yankees.
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Muncy and Lux should be enough but if Hill is also needed to get the yanks to talk, that could be part of the conversation.
Richards to the Padres. Max 18 million dollar contract.
wonder if Dodgers are even discussing contract terms with any of the ten potential arbitration cases
I hope it’s Kluber that they are in on and not Bauer. Bauer seems like a real tool/headcase. He’s been on twitter today telling fans that he’s better than Kluber.
Anyone here a Bauer fan? He’s pitched more innings the last two years (combined) than any Dodger starter. His ERA+ and FIP numbers last year were better than any Dodger starter in 2017 or 2018. For anyone who has the interest and time, here’s a link to an interview he did on MLB this morning. Even went so far as to say that the Indians would be better off trading Kluber this year and him next year based on contract surplus values.
memo to doug williams: you can stop talking now
Puig & Alvarez for Kluber sounds deceptively in our favor. Have to think there’d be more pieces involved. Saw this on another blog.
I wouldn’t characterize Verdugo as having warning track power. Last year he hit 11 HRs as a 22 year old, and is likely to gain more power as he matures. In fact, if memory serves, his first HR with the Dodgers was to the opposite field. I don’t think of Verdugo as being a power hitter, but I do see him as being a guy who will produce a lot of doubles, and who might over time develop into a guy who hits about 20 HRs.
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I still would like the Dodgers to sign LeMahieu, but I know there are other shorter term alternatives. Also, if he is signed, I will benefit from having become adept at spelling his name, given all the practice I’ve had typing it,
Anybody know if there are any catchers who could potentially be non-tendered by tomorrow’s deadline?
I think Friedman needs to bust out with a four-team trade featuring us, Cleveland, Seattle, & the Mets. I would go home and pop some popcorn and just read team blog comments the rest of the week.
Turner the center of this article, just doesn’t try to hit balls out, he also goes the opposite way.
He is also a very good off speed hitter, and he can get key hits, in high leverage situations.
I can’t say that about most of the other players on this team, and that is because most players are not as talented, as Turner.
Corey is just the opposite when it comes to this stuff, and he is a very good hitter, in high leverage situations.
Regardless of technique, a hitter has to be relaxed and confident to do well. A hitting coach has to find the stroke that first generates the contact rate that produces confidence. Stronger players can swing heavier bats without defaulting to a long swing.
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I don’t think Verdugo will be made into something he can’t physically do. Greg Brock was a natural line drive hitter that was able to hit home runs in the minor leagues. The Dodgers tried to make him a home run hitter and they and Brock failed.
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If the Dodgers are willing to trade Puig to Cleveland for Kluber then it is likely they believe Verdugo is ready for RF. If Verdugo has enough bat control to hit in a way that keeps teams from employing the shift against him, there is less need to hit fly balls. Buckner and Verdugo had/have warning track power.