Which batters hit the hardest balls in April?
With the release of Sportvision’s HITf/x data for April 2009, we can look at who hit the ball the hardest in April. Since batted ball speed does not decrease much even when the batter hits the ball off center, it is more instructive to look at batted ball speed in the horizontal plane. In other words, hitting the ball very hard straight up is likely to turn into an out, while hitting the ball very hard straight toward the outfield is likely to turn into a hit. In fact, we find that batting average is maximized at an elevation of 11 degrees, so we’ll look at the average batted ball speed for batters in that plane. We should also remove bunt attempts since they purposefully attempt a low batted ball speed.
Here are the results for the 303 batters with 20 or more non-bunt batted balls recorded by HITf/x. Average batted ball speed for a non-pitcher was 75.1 mph. When pitchers were batting, their average batted ball speed was 66.1 mph.
Last First Initial Speed Number Howard Ryan 87.9 51 Cabrera Miguel 86.8 59 Ramirez Aramis 85.4 36 Saltalamacchia Jarrod 85.2 33 Hairston Scott 84.3 30 Morales Jose 83.4 30 Lopez Felipe 83.4 67 Cameron Mike 83.1 53 Monroe Craig 83.1 20 Pujols Albert 83.1 67 Paulino Ronny 83.0 26 Winn Randy 83.0 54 Lewis Fred 82.9 36 Cruz Nelson 82.7 52 Kinsler Ian 82.6 63 Votto Joey 82.6 49 Youkilis Kevin 82.5 58 Zimmerman Ryan 82.5 69 Ishikawa Travis 82.2 28 Wright David 82.0 39 Markakis Nick 81.9 73 Ibanez Raul 81.7 64 Berkman Lance 81.6 40 Renteria Edgar 81.3 50 Gonzalez Adrian 81.2 56 Dunn Adam 81.1 52 Shoppach Kelly 81.1 22 Cust Jack 81.0 37 Martinez Victor 80.9 73 Hardy J.J. 80.8 52 Ethier Andre 80.7 65 Choo Shin-Soo 80.6 55 Hart Corey 80.6 47 Dukes Elijah 80.6 47 Roberts Brian 80.5 75 Headley Chase 80.5 63 Cantu Jorge 80.4 50 Reynolds Mark 80.4 46 Sizemore Grady 80.2 59 Hill Aaron 80.1 76 Morneau Justin 80.1 69 Helton Todd 80.0 57 Kemp Matt 80.0 53 Weeks Rickie 79.8 60 Smith Seth 79.7 27 Moeller Chad 79.6 21 Jones Adam 79.6 63 Bay Jason 79.5 53 Kendrick Howie 79.5 46 Johnson Nick 79.4 60 Posada Jorge 79.4 49 Morales Kendry 79.4 51 Butler Billy 79.3 48 Napoli Mike 79.3 30 Balentien Wladimir 79.3 24 Spilborghs Ryan 79.2 54 Ramirez Hanley 79.1 61 Beltran Carlos 79.0 53 Jones Andruw 79.0 22 Ross Cody 78.9 57 Fukudome Kosuke 78.8 47 Ramirez Manny 78.6 56 Hawpe Brad 78.6 47 Uggla Dan 78.6 49 Ransom Cody 78.6 32 Andrus Elvis 78.5 41 Rodriguez Ivan 78.4 41 Dye Jermaine 78.3 51 Tracy Chad 78.3 58 Tulowitzki Troy 78.2 38 Lind Adam 78.2 63 Buck John 78.2 26 Greene Khalil 78.2 50 Quentin Carlos 78.1 58 Doumit Ryan 78.1 34 Sweeney Mike 78.1 27 Blake Casey 78.0 52 Willingham Josh 78.0 24 Duncan Chris 78.0 46 Blalock Hank 78.0 60 Swisher Nick 77.9 51 Stewart Ian 77.9 31 Young Michael 77.8 62 Guillen Carlos 77.8 56 Barajas Rod 77.7 50 Garciaparra Nomar 77.7 26 Rios Alex 77.6 66 Moss Brandon 77.6 44 Hundley Nick 77.5 37 Longoria Evan 77.5 66 Cabrera Asdrubal 77.5 46 Rasmus Colby 77.5 35 Davis Chris 77.4 29 Cano Robinson 77.4 76 Varitek Jason 77.4 46 Gross Gabe 77.3 28 Harris Brendan 77.3 28 Giles Brian 77.3 70 Upton Justin 77.2 38 Utley Chase 77.1 54 Sanchez Freddy 77.1 62 Nady Xavier 77.0 20 Infante Omar 77.0 32 Pie Felix 76.9 33 DeJesus David 76.9 57 Lowell Mike 76.8 67 Aybar Erick 76.8 38 Konerko Paul 76.8 59 Kubel Jason 76.8 58 Werth Jayson 76.8 54 Garko Ryan 76.7 43 Bautista Jose 76.7 23 Hunter Torii 76.7 56 Kotchman Casey 76.7 57 Lee Derrek 76.5 49 Snider Travis 76.5 40 Abreu Bobby 76.5 57 Young Delmon 76.5 35 Loney James 76.5 69 Rolen Scott 76.4 67 Soriano Alfonso 76.4 60 Theriot Ryan 76.4 57 Betancourt Yuniesky 76.4 47 Hafner Travis 76.3 41 McLouth Nate 76.3 41 Teahen Mark 76.2 63 Guzman Cristian 76.2 35 Rowand Aaron 76.2 44 Martin Russell 76.1 48 LaRoche Adam 76.1 52 Soto Geovany 76.1 29 Blum Geoff 76.0 51 Iwamura Akinori 75.9 57 Byrd Marlon 75.8 51 Rivera Juan 75.6 49 Burrell Pat 75.5 58 Branyan Russell 75.5 34 Delgado Carlos 75.5 45 Hernandez Anderson 75.4 34 Holliday Matt 75.4 47 LaRoche Andy 75.4 51 Callaspo Alberto 75.4 56 Hermida Jeremy 75.4 50 Crede Joe 75.4 49 Giambi Jason 75.4 45 Overbay Lyle 75.3 40 Jeter Derek 75.3 72 Scott Luke 75.3 54 Pena Carlos 75.1 58 Hudson Orlando 75.1 72 Drew Stephen 75.1 34 Cuddyer Michael 75.1 52 Huff Aubrey 75.0 71 Fielder Prince 74.9 47 Molina Yadier 74.9 59 DeRosa Mark 74.9 61 Braun Ryan 74.6 55 Upton B.J. 74.6 38 Pence Hunter 74.6 55 Diaz Matt 74.6 32 Hamilton Josh 74.6 51 Millar Kevin 74.6 27 Jones Chipper 74.5 46 HairstonJr. Jerry 74.4 22 Scutaro Marco 74.4 68 Molina Bengie 74.4 59 Pedroia Dustin 74.4 72 Suzuki Kurt 74.4 51 Sandoval Pablo 74.4 55 Hall Bill 74.3 46 Ankiel Rick 74.1 45 Gload Ross 74.1 22 Fields Josh 74.1 42 Jackson Conor 74.1 57 Zaun Gregg 74.0 45 Ludwick Ryan 74.0 48 Ordonez Magglio 74.0 59 Zobrist Ben 73.9 32 Barmes Clint 73.9 44 Fontenot Mike 73.9 43 Figgins Chone 73.9 48 Tejada Miguel 73.9 68 Granderson Curtis 73.9 63 Peralta Jhonny 73.9 46 Atkins Garrett 73.9 66 Pierzynski A.J. 73.8 55 Thome Jim 73.8 31 Cabrera Melky 73.7 37 Inge Brandon 73.6 48 Gomez Carlos 73.6 24 Francoeur Jeff 73.6 70 Johnson Kelly 73.5 54 GriffeyJr. Ken 73.4 39 Thurston Joe 73.3 34 Gonzalez Edgar 73.3 20 Escobar Yunel 73.2 60 Pena Ramiro 73.2 20 Feliz Pedro 73.2 53 Gonzalez Alex 73.2 35 Ellsbury Jacoby 73.1 75 Hernandez Ramon 73.1 37 Gutierrez Franklin 73.1 40 Matsui Hideki 72.9 51 Ellis Mark 72.9 47 Ortiz David 72.9 58 Dickerson Chris 72.9 25 Lopez Jose 72.9 52 Bruce Jay 72.9 36 Wigginton Ty 72.8 65 Jaramillo Jason 72.7 23 Church Ryan 72.7 49 Laird Gerald 72.7 42 Getz Chris 72.7 42 Redmond Mike 72.6 23 Snyder Chris 72.5 23 Blanco Henry 72.5 20 Counsell Craig 72.5 22 Molina Jose 72.5 22 Ojeda Augie 72.4 30 Drew J.D. 72.4 43 Crowe Trevor 72.4 22 Polanco Placido 72.4 68 Crisp Coco 72.3 59 Rodriguez Luis 72.3 42 Schafer Jordan 72.3 35 Wells Vernon 72.2 79 Castillo Luis 72.1 37 Phillips Brandon 72.0 46 Chavez Endy 71.9 56 Matsui Kazuo 71.9 37 Kapler Gabe 71.8 30 Guillen Jose 71.8 26 Beltre Adrian 71.7 61 Jacobs Mike 71.7 46 Bloomquist Willie 71.7 29 Hinske Eric 71.7 24 Fowler Dexter 71.6 45 Gerut Jody 71.6 49 Hoffpauir Micah 71.5 21 Green Nick 71.4 32 Aviles Mike 71.4 55 Johnson Rob 71.3 26 Aybar Willy 71.3 22 Sweeney Ryan 71.3 52 Amezaga Alfredo 71.1 29 Young Chris 71.0 55 Flores Jesus 71.0 40 Gonzalez Alberto 70.9 44 Crawford Carl 70.9 72 Teixeira Mark 70.9 53 Bourn Michael 70.9 46 Kearns Austin 70.8 39 Baker John 70.7 37 Bartlett Jason 70.6 69 Gardner Brett 70.6 39 Reyes Jose 70.5 60 Lillibridge Brent 70.4 21 Eckstein David 70.4 64 Damon Johnny 70.4 61 McCann Brian 70.4 33 Anderson Garret 70.2 23 Schumaker Skip 70.1 52 Francisco Ben 70.1 36 Izturis Maicer 70.0 38 Coste Chris 69.8 29 Lee Carlos 69.8 55 Casilla Alexi 69.7 49 Cabrera Orlando 69.7 57 Morgan Nyjer 69.5 67 Furcal Rafael 69.5 62 Guerrero Vladimir 69.5 22 Barden Brian 69.3 22 Victorino Shane 69.3 72 Ramirez Alexei 69.1 50 Kouzmanoff Kevin 69.1 59 Bonifacio Emilio 69.1 59 Wilson Jack 68.9 38 Hill Koyie 68.8 20 Punto Nick 68.7 38 Rollins Jimmy 68.5 68 Navarro Dioner 68.4 56 Maybin Cameron 68.3 34 Olivo Miguel 68.0 27 MatthewsJr. Gary 68.0 29 Span Denard 68.0 61 Murphy Dan 67.9 53 Taveras Willy 67.9 40 Anderson Brian 67.9 31 Everett Adam 67.6 38 Iannetta Chris 67.4 30 Miles Aaron 67.4 32 Kendall Jason 67.1 55 Suzuki Ichiro 67.0 40 Anderson Josh 67.0 29 Johnson Reed 66.9 25 Bradley Milton 66.9 22 Izturis Cesar 66.8 59 Vazquez Ramon 66.6 23 Johjima Kenji 66.2 21 Byrnes Eric 65.5 41 Encarnacion Edwin 64.0 38 Burriss Emmanuel 63.7 43 Chavez Eric 60.0 22