I built this tool as an easy way to track batted ball rates for both hitters and pitchers. Just enter the data below and the tool outputs Pop-up Rate, Line Drive Rate, Fly Ball Rate, and Ground Ball Rate.
Batted Ball Rate Calculator
How to Use This Batted Ball Rate Calculator
To use this batted ball stat calculator, start by entering the total number of pop-ups, line drives, fly balls, and ground balls into the input fields. Homeruns should be included with fly balls. Foul balls (including foul outs) should not be included in data. Bunts should not be included in data.
Next, hit “calculate results”. This will automatically output the Pop-Up Rate, Fly Ball Rate, Line Drive Rate, and Ground Ball Rate. You can print the results for stat keeping. Click “Compare Results” to see how these results compare MLB norms.
You can use our batted ball tracker for pitchers to track batted ball rates live during game play. And you can use our batting practice hit tracker to track batted ball rates live during batting practice or cage work.
Understanding Batted Ball Rates for Hitters and Pitchers
Batted ball rates provide crucial insight into both offensive and defensive performance. Every ball put into play falls into one of four categories: pop-up, fly ball, line drive, or ground ball.
Hitters aim to maximize productive contact that leads to hits and extra bases, while pitchers work to induce weak contact that results in easy outs. By tracking these percentages, teams can evaluate how well a pitcher limits damage and how effectively a hitter puts the ball in play.
Pop-Up Rate (PU%)
This is the formula for pop-up rate:
Pop-Up Rate (PU%) = (Pop-Ups / Total Batted Balls) Ă— 100
Pop-up rate measures how often a hitter produces infield pop-ups or how often a pitcher induces them. Infield pop-ups are one of the least productive batted ball types because they almost always result in outs, making them highly desirable for pitchers and a red flag for hitters.
| Pop-Up Rate Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| Above 11% | Above MLB Norm |
| 8% to 11% | Near MLB Norm |
| Below 8% | Below MLB Norm |
A pitcher who consistently generates pop-ups is likely forcing hitters to get under the ball, often by attacking the upper part of the strike zone or using pitches with late movement. Hitters with a high pop-up rate may struggle with timing or mechanics, often failing to square up the ball and putting themselves at risk for easy outs.
While pop-up rate is not as widely used as other metrics, it helps distinguish weak infield contact from deeper fly balls and gives a clearer picture of a player’s overall contact quality.
Fly Ball Rate (FB%)
This is the formula for fly ball rate:
Fly Ball Rate (FB%) = (Fly Balls / Total Batted Balls) Ă— 100
Fly ball rate tracks the percentage of balls hit into the outfield (and also includes home runs), offering insight into power potential and contact effectiveness. For hitters, a higher fly-ball rate can be a positive if it leads to extra-base hits and home runs, but it can also result in more outs if those fly balls lack the necessary exit velocity to reach the gaps or clear the fence.
Power hitters often thrive with higher fly-ball rates, as balls hit in the air have the potential to travel farther, producing doubles, triples, and home runs. However, hitters who lack the strength to consistently drive the ball usually struggle if they hit too many fly balls, leading to a low batting average.
| Fly Ball Rate Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| Above 38% | Above MLB Norm |
| 33% to 38% | Near MLB Norm |
| Below 33% | Below MLB Norm |
For pitchers, a high fly-ball rate can be dangerous if too many of those balls leave the park, but pitchers who limit hard contact can still succeed with a fly-ball-heavy approach. In large ballparks with deep fences, inducing fly balls can be an effective way to limit hits, as long as home runs are kept in check.
Fly ball pitchers typically rely on high fastballs or breaking pitches that stay up in the zone, encouraging hitters to get under the ball rather than making solid, line-drive contact. Pitching up in the zone is dangerous, but can be mastered.
Line Drive Rate (LD%)
This is the formula for line drive rate:
Line Drive Rate (LD%) = (Line Drives / Total Batted Balls) Ă— 100
Line drive rate is one of the most important indicators of success for both hitters and pitchers. Hitters who produce a high percentage of line drives tend to be very productive hitters, as line drives go for hits more often than any other type of batted ball.
A strong line-drive rate usually correlates with higher hitting metrics and better overall offensive production. Players who consistently square up the ball and drive it on a line are often among the league’s best hitters.
However, not all line drives are created equal—some are low, hard-hit screamers that get past infielders, while others may be more of a “soft line drive”. That’s why combining line drive rate with things like exit velocity is the better way to evaluate a batted ball.
| Line Drive Rate Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| Above 24% | Above MLB Norm |
| 19% to 24% | Near MLB Norm |
| Below 19% | Below MLB Norm |
For pitchers, limiting line drives is crucial because they lead to the most damage. A pitcher who allows a high percentage of line drives is likely struggling with command, leaving too many pitches in hittable locations.
Since line drives result in hits at the highest rate, reducing this type of contact is a priority for any successful pitcher. Commanding the strike zone and keeping hitters off balance with movement and velocity changes can help suppress line-drive contact.
Ground Ball Rate (GB%)
This is the formula for ground ball rate:
Ground Ball Rate (GB%) = (Ground Balls / Total Batted Balls) Ă— 100
Ground ball rate measures how often a batter hits the ball on the ground and how often a pitcher induces grounders. Hitters with high ground-ball rates tend to rely on speed rather than power, as grounders can result in infield singles but rarely lead to extra-base hits.
While some hitters can succeed with a ground-ball-heavy approach, especially those with elite speed, most players benefit from lifting the ball more often to drive it into the gaps or over the fence. Players with extreme ground-ball rates struggle to generate power, making it difficult to produce high slugging percentages and extra base hits.
| Ground Ball Rate Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| Above 45% | Above MLB Norm |
| 40% to 45% | Near MLB Norm |
| Below 40% | Below MLB Norm |
For pitchers, generating ground balls is one of the most effective ways to limit extra-base hits and home runs. Ground ball pitchers tend to allow more singles but give up fewer damaging hits than fly-ball pitchers.
Ground ball pitchers often rely on sinkers, two-seam fastballs, or off-speed pitches that keep the ball down in the zone, forcing hitters to hit the top of the ball. However, ground ball pitchers are more dependent on strong infield defense, as more balls put in play on the ground require clean fielding to convert into outs.
The Importance of Batted Ball Data
Batted ball stats are essential for evaluating offensive, defensive, and pitching strategies. While there is no perfect batted ball distribution (meaning players can succeed in various ways), the type of contact a player produces can heavily impact performance.
Line drives are the most valuable type of contact for hitters, as they result in hits at the highest rate. Fly balls are more productive than ground balls when they do land for hits, but they also carry a greater risk of being caught for outs. Ground balls, while useful for certain hitters, are generally less productive because they rarely result in extra-base hits.
For pitchers, limiting line drives and controlling fly-ball damage are key to long-term success. Some pitchers thrive by inducing ground balls, which helps them avoid extra-base hits and home runs, while others succeed by allowing weak fly balls that stay in the park.
Fly-ball pitchers tend to work up in the zone and rely on outfielders to track down deep contact, whereas ground-ball pitchers attack the lower part of the strike zone to generate soft contact on the ground.
Ballparks also influence batted ball effectiveness. Hitters with high fly-ball rates often perform better in smaller stadiums where deep outfield fences are less of a concern. Ground ball-heavy hitters benefit from fast infield surfaces that increase their chances of infield hits.
For pitchers, home ballpark dimensions can dictate their approach—fly-ball pitchers are more successful in spacious parks with deep fences, while ground-ball pitchers rely more on infield defense to convert outs efficiently.
Understanding batted ball rates allows teams to evaluate player strengths, make data-driven defensive adjustments, and develop strategies that maximize success.
BABIP and the Role of Luck
BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) is a key stat that helps measure how often a ball put in play results in a hit, excluding home runs and strikeouts. Hitters and pitchers both use BABIP to evaluate performance, but it is heavily influenced by factors outside of a player’s control.
Defensive positioning, field conditions, and pure luck can all impact BABIP, making it a useful stat only when considered alongside other batted ball metrics.
How BABIP Reflects Luck and Skill
BABIP is often a mix of luck and skill, which is why it fluctuates from season to season for many players. A hitter with a high BABIP might be making solid contact and driving the ball into gaps, but they could also be benefiting from weak ground balls sneaking past infielders. Speed plays a role as well, since fast runners can beat out infield hits that would be outs for slower players.
Pitchers with a low BABIP might have their defense to thank, as strong defenders can turn potential hits into outs more frequently. Also, a pitcher with a high BABIP might not be doing anything wrong but could be seeing weakly hit balls drop for hits due to poor defensive positioning or bad luck.
Why BABIP Alone Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
While BABIP can indicate if a player is overperforming or underperforming, it needs context. For example, a hitter with a high BABIP but a low line-drive rate will likely not sustain their success, as weaker contact is less likely to consistently fall for hits.
A pitcher with a low BABIP but a high fly-ball rate could be benefiting from great outfield defense or a ballpark with deep dimensions. Evaluating BABIP alongside fly ball rate, ground ball rate, and line drive rate (and other metrics like launch angle, exit velocity and hard hit rate) gives a clearer picture of whether a player’s results are based on skill or luck.
Launch Angle and Exit Velocity in the Modern Game
As I mentioned above, launch angle and exit velocity are two of the most important measurements in modern baseball. Exit velocity tells us what the quality of the contact is, so we know how hard the ball was hit. When we combine this information with batted ball rates, we get a clearer picture of player value.
For example, launch angle and exit velocity help explain why some hitters succeed with a high fly ball rate and others fail with a similar fly-ball rate. These metrics add depth for better evaluation.
How Launch Angle and Exit Velocity Work Together
A batted ball launch angle refers to the vertical angle at which the ball leaves the bat, while exit velocity measures how fast the ball is hit. Both factors influence the likelihood of a ball becoming a hit or an out.
A ball hit at 100mph+ with a launch angle between 10 and 25 degrees is often a line drive, which has the highest probability of becoming a hit. A ball hit just as hard but at 40 degrees is likely a routine flyout unless it carries over a shorter fence.
Exit velocity has a direct affect on slugging percentage, but as you can see below, the batted ball type also matters:
| Exit Velocity (mph) | GB SLG | LD SLG | FB SLG |
|---|---|---|---|
| <85 mph | ~0.150 | ~0.300 | ~0.100 |
| 85-95 mph | ~0.250 | ~0.650 | ~0.350 |
| 95+ mph | ~0.300 | ~0.950 | ~1.200 |
And a ball hit just as hard but as a ground ball has very little change of producing extra bases. Hitters who hit the ball hard but with a low launch angle may be limiting their potential, as ground balls rarely lead to extra-base hits.
Why Hitters and Pitchers Care About These Metrics
Hitters use launch angle and exit velocity to optimize their swing. Players with high exit velocity but a high ground-ball rate need to adjust their mechanics to lift the ball more consistently, which would increase their chances of extra-base hits. This is why the launch angle revolution has led to more hitters adjusting their swings to generate fly balls.
For pitchers, controlling launch angle and exit velocity is critical for managing contact quality. Many pitchers work to induce weak ground balls by keeping the ball down in the zone (and working on pitch mix to keep hitters off balance), while other pitchers attack the upper part of the strike zone with fastballs to generate high launch angles off the bat that will rarely do damage.
Stadium Effects and Environmental Factors
Ballparks play a significant role in how batted ball profiles perform. The same type of contact that results in a home run in one stadium might be a routine flyout in another.
Hitters and pitchers must account for these differences, as a player’s batted ball tendencies can be more or less effective depending on where they play.
How Stadiums Impact Fly Balls and Ground Balls
Some ballparks favor hitters, while others favor pitchers. In a stadium like Coors Field, the high altitude and low air density reduce drag on the ball, allowing fly balls to travel farther. A power hitter with a high fly-ball rate can take full advantage of this environment, turning deep flyouts into home runs.
In contrast, a park like Kaufmann Stadium in Kansas City has deep fences and normal altitude, making it much harder for fly balls to result in hits consistently. Ground-ball hitters are less affected by park factors, though they do benefit from fast infield surfaces that allow balls to get through more easily.
Why Ground Ball Rate vs. Fly Ball Rate Isn’t So Simple
Ground ball rate and fly ball rate are often compared, but neither is always better than the other. Each has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the hitter’s skillset and the pitcher’s game plan.
While ground balls produce hits more often than fly balls, they rarely lead to extra-base hits. Fly balls result in fewer hits overall but have a much higher potential for home runs and extra bases.
How Hitters and Pitchers Approach Ground Balls and Fly Balls
A hitter with a high ground-ball rate might rely on speed to turn weak contact into infield singles. Players with this profile often hit for high batting averages but struggle to generate power. A fly-ball hitter, on the other hand, may have a lower batting average but produce more home runs and doubles, making them a greater offensive threat in terms of slugging percentage and run production.
Pitchers also have to decide which type of contact they want to allow. Ground-ball pitchers limit home runs and extra-base hits but need a strong infield defense behind them to be effective. Fly-ball pitchers typically allow fewer hits overall but must manage home run risks, especially in smaller ballparks.
There is no single correct answer when comparing ground balls and fly balls, but understanding the risks and rewards of each allows teams to make smarter decisions.
The Shift and Batted Ball Adjustments
Defensive shifts have changed the way hitters and pitchers approach the game. Teams use batted ball data to position defenders based on a hitter’s tendencies, forcing players to adjust their approach if they want to succeed.
How the Shift Affects Ground Ball and Fly Ball Hitters
Pull-heavy hitters who hit a high percentage of ground balls often struggle against the shift, as infielders position themselves exactly where the ball is most likely to be hit. Left-handed hitters, in particular, have seen their batting averages drop due to aggressive shifts that load the right side of the infield.
| Year | Shift % | GB BABIP |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.5% | .239 |
| 2015 | 13.6% | .234 |
| 2019 | 26.6% | .229 |
| 2022 | 28.8% | .227 |
| 2023 | 10.5% | .242 |
Some players respond by hitting more fly balls (meaning hit it to the part of the field where players are more traditionally aligned). Changing an approach like this can have a negative affect and cause other issues. Other hitters work on hitting the ball to the opposite field (away from the shift).
Why Pitchers Use the Shift to Their Advantage
Pitchers take advantage of defensive positioning by inducing the type of contact their team is set up to defend. A ground-ball pitcher may throw more sinkers and off-speed pitches to encourage weak ground balls directly into the shift.
A fly-ball pitcher may keep working up in the zone, knowing their outfielders are positioned correctly for deep contact. The shift is a tool that rewards teams that understand their players’ batted ball tendencies and make adjustments accordingly.
Batted Ball and Pitch Mix
Pitchers generate different batted ball types based on their pitch mix and location. For example, a sinker-heavy pitcher tends to induce more ground balls by keeping the ball down in the zone. These pitchers rely on movement and location rather than just velocity, often forcing weak contact.
Ground-ball pitchers typically use their sinker or two-seam fastball to stay in the lower third of the strike zone, making it harder for hitters to elevate the ball.
A four-seam fastball pitcher, on the other hand, works higher in the zone and produces more fly balls. These pitchers often have high velocity and attack hitters with fastballs at the top of the strike zone.
The trade-off is that while high fastballs can generate easy outs on pop-ups and weak fly balls (and often create swings and misses), they also come with the risk of home runs if a hitter makes solid contact.
Hitters and teams analyze a pitcher’s batted ball tendencies to adjust their offensive approach. A team’s offensive approach against a fly ball pitcher will be different than their offensive approach against a ground ball pitcher.
Historical Trends in Batted Ball Data
League-wide batted ball trends shift over time as players, teams, and analytics evolve. What works in one era may not be as effective in another, forcing players to adapt.
| Year | GB% | FB% | LD% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 45.0% | 34.8% | 20.2% |
| 2010 | 44.3% | 34.9% | 20.8% |
| 2015 | 45.3% | 34.8% | 19.9% |
| 2020 | 42.6% | 36.8% | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 43.8% | 35.5% | 20.7% |
In past decades, contact hitting and ground balls were more common, with players prioritizing putting the ball in play. As analytics became more prominent, teams began to better understand the importance of power and extra-base hits, leading to the launch angle revolution.
The rise of home runs in the 2010s led many hitters to change their swings to generate more fly balls, even at the expense of higher strikeout rates. Pitchers adjusted to the new era by attacking hitters differently, using high fastballs and off-speed pitches to limit damage.
Some teams have prioritized pitchers who induce weak contact rather than relying on overpowering velocity. As the game continues to evolve, understanding batted ball trends helps players and teams stay ahead of the competition, making adjustments that fit the modern style of play.