In each of the past two years, the Orioles have preached plate discipline as a means of improvement for top young hitters Austin Hays and Ryan Mountcastle. Same goes for Anthony Santander, their most productive hitter last year, who is trying to be more discerning at the plate this spring.
Though they’re each learning to be more selective at the big league level, their lower chase rate isn’t designed for them to walk more often and get on base as much as it’s meant to help them focus on the pitches they can get a barrel on and drive.