As home run rates spiked across baseball over the last two seasons, many writers have tried to explain why. There’s evidence that the balls are different, that the higher average fastball velocity is a contributor, and many more theories. The one theory I’m a fan of is that players are actively attempting to hit more balls in the air.
There’s good reason for this “fly ball revolution”. Improved infield defenses and the prevalence of sinking pitches have forced batters to try and hit fly balls, rather than grounders to specific parts of the field.