"The walk rate in MLB is hovering around 10%, a historically high figure that represents a 16% spike in bases on balls since last season. It's a staggering number, higher than every season but three -- 1948, 1949, 1950 -- in MLB's century-and-a-half history."
"Certainly the automated ball-strike system, which has standardized the strike zone and taken away pitches previously called strikes, has something to do with it. Beyond the challenges themselves, everyone -- pitchers, hitters, umpires -- is adjusting to a new zone, and that's the sort of thing that changes behaviors."
"Swing rate is down by 1.4 percentage points from last year. Zone rate -- the percentage of pitches in the rulebook zone -- is even more pronounced: 47.2% after being at 50.7% last year."
"Pitchers are throwing more changeups and splitters, typically designed to land out of the strike zone for a swing-and-miss. Their breaking balls are moving more than ever."
The 2026 MLB season has revealed unexpected team performances, with the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates surprising many. The New York Mets are struggling significantly, while the Philadelphia Phillies have the worst run differential. A notable statistic is the walk rate, which has reached 9.9%, a historic high influenced by the automated ball-strike system. This change has led to adjustments in swing rates and pitch types, indicating a shift in player behavior early in the season.
Read at ESPN.com
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