The task is simple enough: Who was baseball's best contact hitter in 2021?
However, rather than simply looking at batting average, I decided to take a more analytical approach to compile my list.
The first step was to decide which statistics best quantify contact ability.
After some digging and debating, I landed on these four:
- Strikeout Rate (K%): What percent of a player's plate appearances end in a strikeout.
- Contact Rate (Contact%): The percent of swings that result in contact.
- Hard-Hit Rate (HardHit%): How frequently a ball in play travels 90 mph or more off the bat.