What Makes Vinnie Pasquantino Such a Threat at the Plate?
From Swing Mechanics to Advanced Metrics: The Making of a Dominating Threat at the Plate
The astonishing ability of Vinnie Pasquantino to drive in runs and establish himself as a reliable offensive force for the Kansas City Royals was on full display during the 2024 season. In this article, we will discuss the characteristics that make him one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, as well as the data and advanced metrics tied to his name.
2024 Performance Overview
Pasquantino’s surface stats for the season highlight a solid campaign:
Games Played: 131
Home Runs: 19
Runs Scored: 64
Runs Batted In: 97
Walk Rate (BB%): 7.2%
Strikeout Rate (K%): 12.8%
Slash Line: .262/.315/.446
wOBA: .325
xwOBA: .331
wRC+: 108
fWAR: 1.5
These numbers demonstrate the importance of a balanced strategy, which involves mixing power and contact to ensure reliable production.
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Advanced Metrics: The Foundation of Success
Pasquantino's advanced profile depicts a hitter possessing exceptional bat-to-ball skills and the capacity to consistently produce hard contact. Here are his percentile rankings for key metrics:
Expected Batting Average (xBA): .266 (80th percentile)
Expected Slugging Percentage (xSLG): .438 (70th percentile)
Average Exit Velocity (EV): 91.0 MPH (78th percentile)
Hard-Hit Rate: 46.5% (80th percentile)
Squared-Up Rate: 31.7% (92nd percentile)
Whiff Rate: 14.5% (96th percentile)
Strikeout Rate: 12.8% (96th percentile)
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Year-to-Year Improvements
While some of his numbers dipped slightly in 2024, Pasquantino showed notable progress in critical areas:
Exit Velocity: Increased from 89.3 MPH in 2023 to 91.0 MPH in 2024.
Hard-Hit Rate: Improved from 40.3% to 46.5%.
Batting Average: Jumped from .247 to .262.
O-Swing% (Chase Rate): Decreased from 32.4% to 30.7%.
The improvements he has made show his ability to create contact that is both elite and powerful. His improvements in exit velocity and hard-hit rate give reason to believe that he is becoming more capable of driving the ball with authority.
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Swing Mechanics and Approach
Pasquantino’s compact and fluid left-handed swing is a key component of his success. With quick hands and minimal wasted movement, he excels at:
Generating a quick trigger once he completes his load.
Handling pitches in all areas of the zone regardless of location.
Making powerful contact regardless of pitch type.
Because his swing does not contain any unnecessary motion, he is able to quickly adjust to a variety of pitch types and locations, which contributes to his ability to pose a challenging opponent for pitchers.
Elite IPA%: A Measure of Quality At-Bats
One stat that illustrates Pasquantino’s elite hitting ability is IPA% (Ideal Plate Appearance), which measures solid hits and barreled baseballs:
2022: 32.6%
2023: 32.3%
2024: 30.7% (93rd percentile)
This consistency demonstrates that he is capable of delivering high-quality contact and competitive at-bats. His elite performance in this category suggests that he is a hitter who can make the most out of every at-bat.
Pitch Recognition and Plate Discipline
Pasquantino’s elite pitch recognition sets him apart from many hitters:
Swing%: 47.8% (48th percentile)
O-Swing% (Chase Rate): 32.7% (34th percentile)
Whiff%: 14.5% (95th percentile)
Contact%: 85.5% (95th percentile)
Zone Contact% (Z-Con%): 92.6% (97th percentile)
Out-of-Zone Contact% (O-Con%): 73.9% (94th percentile)
These numbers demonstrate his ability to:
Limit swings and misses.
Chase pitches outside the zone with controlled contact.
Make consistent contact on pitches both inside and outside the strike zone.
The combination of these factors makes him an especially challenging opponent to pitch against. Furthermore, his excellent bat-to-ball skills are further demonstrated by the fact that his whiff rate and strikeout rate are nearly identical. One of the most useful and remarkable abilities that he possesses is the ability to pursue pitches out of the zone while still making quality contact.
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Driving the Ball: Launch Angle and Power Potential
One area where Pasquantino has room to grow is his launch angle. In 2023, his average launch angle was 17.4 degrees, but it dipped to 14.6 degrees in 2024. Despite this, his ability to generate high exit velocities and improve his hard-hit percentage suggests that he has untapped power potential. If he can raise his launch angle closer to his 2023 mark, he could see a significant increase in his home run totals.
Projections for 2025
Based on his 2024 performance and continued improvements, Fangraphs’ Depth Chart projections predict a strong 2025 season for Pasquantino:
Games Played: 146
Plate Appearances: 630
Home Runs: 25
Runs Scored: 81
RBI: 88
Walk Rate (BB%): 9.6%
Strikeout Rate (K%): 13.9%
Slash Line: .270/.345/.471
wOBA: .352
wRC+: 127
fWAR: 2.8
These projections indicate further growth in his offensive profile, suggesting he will continue to be a key contributor to the Royals' lineup. The expected improvement in his walk rate also points to an enhanced approach at the plate, potentially leading to more opportunities to drive in runs for the Royals in 2025.
Image Credit: baseballsavant.mlb.com
A Potential Career Year in 2025
Vinnie Pasquantino’s compact swing, elite contact rates, and year-to-year improvements position him as a key player to watch. With projections indicating further growth, 2025 could be a breakout year for the Royals’ slugger, solidifying his status as a premier threat at the plate. As he continues to refine his approach and unlock his power potential, Pasquantino’s ceiling remains exceptionally high, making him a cornerstone for Kansas City’s future success alongside teammates Bobby Witt Jr. and Cole Ragans.