The Mystery Continues: Has the 2018 Ball Been De-Juiced?

A few years ago, I created a distance model to evaluate unexpected distance. The purpose was primarily to evaluate spin on hit balls but there seems to be a lot more interest in juiced balls and home runs so here we are again.

When I recently updated everything, the results were shocking. If the ball was “juiced” in the second half of 2015 and remained so until last season, then in 2018, it has been extra de-juiced. (Actually, the recent study concluded it wasn’t “juiced” but rather, the added distance was the result of an unexplained reduction in drag).

I present the distance model and method at the end of this post since I believe the recent data and results are far more interesting.  Given the reduction in unexplained distance at all but one stadium, the magnitude of the change is mind boggling. For the past few years, results for the full year have been within a foot of the model. So far this year, all but one stadium is showing a negative unexpected distance and all but one are also showing a negative change over the same period last year. Even more, the change of -5.1 ft. for 2018 over 2017 is greater than the unexplained distance gain of 3.1 ft. from 2015 to 2017. All numbers are based on YTD June 20^th for comparative purposes. The full year averages are also shown below which indicate an expected weather related distance pickup in the second half.

First, let’s take a look at average exit velocity (EV) , launch angle (LA), and distance based on a June comparison of “well-hit” balls (defined as EV>=90 and LA>=15 <=45).

	2017	2018
EV	98.8	98.9
LA	26.5	26.8
Distance	353.0	348.9

Given that the comparison is based on YTD June data for both periods, it is highly unlikely that weather is the major cause.

Unexplained Distance vs. Model (in ft.). All Years are June 20 YTD.

Stadium	2015	2016	2017	2018	2017 vs 2015	Chng 2018
ARI	2.4	5.9	5.8	-2.3	3.3	-8.1
ATL	-4.4	-2.0	-0.6	-2.8	3.8	-2.2
BAL	-4.5	-3.7	-6.4	-3.2	-1.9	3.2
BOS	-10.7	-4.6	-3.2	-11.1	7.5	-7.9
CHC	-4.7	-9.3	-3.1	-7.6	1.5	-4.5
CIN	-7.3	0.1	0.5	-4.7	7.7	-5.2
CLE	-9.1	-4.2	-2.4	-5.4	6.7	-2.9
CWS	-5.7	-1.1	0.3	-8.1	6.0	-8.4
DET	-4.8	-7.4	-6.6	-7.8	-1.8	-1.2
HOU	5.4	1.2	3.2	-2.8	-2.2	-6.0
KC	-3.0	0.5	2.5	-2.3	5.5	-4.8
LAA	0.3	0.8	2.4	-4.2	2.0	-6.6
LAD	-2.3	-3.5	-2.7	-8.7	-0.4	-6.0
MIA	0.3	2.0	1.1	-3.8	0.8	-4.9
MIL	6.5	2.2	2.7	-4.7	-3.8	-7.4
MIN	-3.6	-1.4	1.7	-4.7	5.4	-6.4
NYM	-3.9	-5.7	-4.0	-6.4	0.0	-2.4
NYY	-6.4	-2.4	-3.3	-7.8	3.1	-4.5
OAK	-3.9	-4.8	-1.2	-10.0	2.7	-8.8
PHI	-7.7	-6.3	-3.9	-6.3	3.8	-2.3
PIT	2.3	-1.6	2.9	-6.3	0.6	-9.2
SD	-15.1	-2.0	2.7	-7.7	17.9	-10.4
SEA	-11.5	-3.3	-5.0	-10.1	6.5	-5.1
SF	-13.4	-7.8	-9.2	-10.7	4.2	-1.4
STL	-1.5	-1.3	-1.0	-6.3	0.6	-5.3
TB	-3.6	1.3	1.0	-2.4	4.6	-3.4
TEX	-3.6	4.4	2.9	0.5	6.5	-2.4
TOR	1.7	-5.6	2.2	-4.2	0.5	-6.4
WSH	1.2	-4.0	0.9	-6.4	-0.3	-7.3
Total June YTD	-3.8	-2.2	-0.7	-5.8	3.1	-5.1
Full Year	-0.6	-0.4	0.3

Note: Coors Field Excluded

As you will see in the model at the end, distance is significantly impacted by the horizontal hit direction. Here is a summary of unexplained distance for the same June analysis periods:

 

This is really quite remarkable. Based on the breadth of what is happening, it seems the most logical conclusion is that something is up – again! with the ball.

Model Construction

Average distances for well-hit fly balls (≥90 MPH, LA≥15°<45) at each exit velocity and launch angle combination between 90-115 MPH and 15°-45°, respectively were used to create a model of expected distance. The model was then expanded by including EV and LA combinations in tenths.The dataset was 2015-2016 (excluding all balls hit at Coors Field). The distance difference for each hit was then examined based on the horizontal angle of the hit. The pattern of the distance differences indicates there is a significant directional bias likely caused by spin as illustrated below. For the total unexplained distances referenced in the above chart, all hits were adjusted for directional impact. The illustration below is based on right-handed hitters only (A left handed model is used to evaluate left standing hits).

 

 

Source of all data is Baseball Savant