8 Hitters Who Have Made Improvements In The 2nd Half
2nd Half Standouts Using Rolling Data
This is my first article where I have used a few of the Shiny Apps that I have created! For this specific article, I used rolling plate discipline and Statcast data to see trends in production. I have also made A, AAA, and MLB hitter cards along with 1st and 2nd half comparison tools. Expect those to be used in my upcoming articles! While there are many other players I could have mentioned, these were some of my personal favorites!
Michael Harris (Atlanta Braves)
Harris has made some adjustments to this stance and looks like the breakout player we saw in his rookie year. While he hasn't drawn a walk in the 2nd half, he's posted a 188 wRC+ and a .317 ISO. He is chasing slightly less, and he's seen massive spikes in his QoC.
Spencer Horwitz (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Spencer's rolling plate discipline and contact rates are as good a development as you will see. From June-August, he's made massive strides in almost everything! In 31 games, he has a 137 wRC+ and a K% of under 16%. While His QoC has dipped, he's been great!
Matt Shaw (Chicago Cubs)
I made a stance change graphic a few days ago, and there are even a few that I left out. He's shown the ability to adjust in short time periods at the MLB level. Shaw, in 33 games during the 2nd half, has 9 HR and a 178 wRC+ while seeing monthly Barrel% increases.
Brice Turang (Milwaukee Brewers)
Brice Turang has 8 HR in 31 games in the 2nd half, slashing .322/.372/..610 with a 171 wRC+. His 50.9% H-H% in August is the highest we have seen from him, and he's really starting to barrel the baseball. He's decreased both his SwStr%and O-Swing%.
Bryce Harper (Philadelphia Phillies)
While he didn't have a poor 1st half, putting up a 130 wRC+, he's already passed his 1st half HR total in just 33 games with 11, and he's made notable improvements in his plate discipline. Look at the O-Swing dip from June-July and the rolling Con, Z-Con, and SwStr%.
Shea Langeliers (Athletics)
Shea has an insane 16 HR in the 2nd half while posting a K% of under 20%, a 202 wRC+, and a .336/.364/.769 slashline, and 2.3 fWAR. He has seen consistent increases in his wOBA and the number of Barrels he's had every month from June to August.
Julio RodrÃguez (Seattle Mariners)
It seems like every single season, he turns it on in the 2nd half. There are so many things to look at; his rolling improvements in his Con% and SwStr%, the massive spikes in his Barrel%, AVG EV, Hard-Hit%, and wOBA. He deserves his own breakdown this offseason.
William Contreras (Milwaukee Brewers)
I don't think enough people have been paying attention to his developments over the course of the season. He has a 143 wRC+ in the 2nd half with 8 HR and 1.4 fWAR. His rolling Barrel%, Hard-Hit%, AVG EV, and wOBA are absolutely beautiful to look at.
There were some of my personal favorites that I have noticed! Thank you for reading! Comment down below any other players you have questions about!
