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Mike Zunino has an aggressive new approach at the plate, and it’s paying off

The 2019 version of Mike Zunino is a different hitter than the pre-2019 version of Mike Zunino. This becomes apparent when you look at his plate discipline stats.

From 2016 to 2018, Zunino had a swing rate (rate at which he swung at all pitches) of 48.8%. This year his swing rate is 53.3%. From 2016 to 2018 he had a contact rate (rate at which he made contact with the pitches when he swung) of 64.2%. This year it’s jumped to 74%.

That’s a marked change in swing rate and contact rate in 2019. We should pay attention to those!