Javy Báez Appears to Have Fixed Glaring Weakness Against High Heat

Scouts are going to have to re-write their reports on how to attack Javy Báez. In 2018, pitchers opted for high fastballs in the zone because the free-swinging slugger would whiff at them frequently. The probability of Javy swinging through heaters just under his chest was between 30-40% last season.

But so far in 2019, Javy is making more contact against similarly located fastballs. The probability that Javy will whiffs on those pitches has been slashed nearly in half and now sits from 15-25%. That, folks, is what we call a successful adjustment.

One reason Javy could be whiffing less against these fastballs is a willingness to hit towards the opposite field. In 2018, Javy would go to the…