(*) BATTERS: Lefty-righty splits, 2021
Jun 21 2021
Let's take an updated look at the batters who have posted the most significant lefty/righty production and batting eye splits so far in 2021.
This exercise can help you adjust your daily lineups accordingly, and can also help you spot guys who may be one adjustment away from taking a big step forward.
First, the following bats own the widest LH/RH OPS splits:
-
OPS, vs. LH/RH* Name League Position OPS vs. RH OPS vs. LH Diff ================== ====== ============== ========== ========== ===== Walsh, Jared AL 1B/RF 1.083 .541 +.542 Wendle, Joey AL 3B/SS/2B .981 .468 +.513 Lowe, Brandon AL 2B/LF .848 .357 +.491 Trout, Mike AL CF 1.224 .762 +.462 Verdugo, Alex AL LF .959 .504 +.455 Jansen, Danny AL C .676 .226 +.450 Polanco, Gregory NL RF .739 .289 +.450 Yastrzemski, Mike NL RF .934 .499 +.435 Phillips, Brett AL CF .790 .372 +.418 Trammell, Taylor AL CF .688 .271 +.417 Winker, Jesse NL LF 1.126 .711 +.415 White, Eli AL LF .708 .306 +.402 Chang, Yu AL 1B/3B .750 .375 +.375 Smith, Will NL C .995 .633 +.362 Andrus, Elvis AL SS .696 .343 +.353 Knapp, Andrew NL C .598 .246 +.352 Crawford, Brandon NL SS .948 .597 +.351 Lux, Gavin NL SS/2B .795 .451 +.344 Pederson, Joc NL LF .849 .505 +.344 Meadows, Austin AL DH/LF .924 .587 +.337 Dahl, David AL LF/DH .690 .354 +.336 Guerrero Jr, Vladimir AL 1B/DH 1.175 .850 +.325 Eaton, Adam AL RF .690 .379 +.311 Moran, Colin NL 1B/3B .854 .561 +.293 Stanton, Giancarlo AL DH .950 .658 +.292 Castro, Jason AL C 1.009 .720 +.289 Sano, Miguel AL 1B/3B .789 .509 +.280 Kepler, Max AL RF .775 .496 +.279 Pillar, Kevin NL CF .750 .477 +.273 Brantley, Michael AL LF .998 .728 +.270 Sogard, Eric NL 2B/3B .659 .397 +.262 Realmuto, J.T. NL C .939 .681 +.258 Benintendi, Andrew AL LF .845 .589 +.256 Tucker, Kyle AL RF .934 .681 +.253 Anderson, Brian NL 3B .746 .494 +.252 Andujar, Miguel AL 3B .752 .501 +.251 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name League Position OPS vs. RH OPS vs. LH Diff ================== ====== ============== ========== ========== ===== Jeffers, Ryan AL C .424 1.150 -.726 Vaughn, Andrew AL LF/1B .487 1.190 -.703 Perez, Roberto AL C .294 .921 -.627 Gosselin, Phil AL 3B .506 1.101 -.595 Culberson, Charlie AL 3B .363 .945 -.582 Mullins, Cedric AL CF .365 .935 -.570 Bryant, Kris NL LF/3B/1B .761 1.329 -.568 Pujols, Albert NL 1B .467 1.014 -.547 Kelly, Carson NL C .685 1.219 -.534 Marte, Ketel NL CF/2B .779 1.297 -.518 Longoria, Evan NL 3B .747 1.264 -.517 Hampson, Garrett NL 2B/CF .593 1.089 -.496 Higashioka, Kyle AL C .527 1.021 -.494 Zunino, Mike AL C .618 1.101 -.483 Molina, Yadier NL C .682 1.150 -.468 Pina, Manny NL C .396 .832 -.436 Hernandez, Teoscar AL RF .736 1.172 -.436 Contreras, Willson NL C .615 1.034 -.419 McCutchen, Andrew NL RF .627 1.032 -.405 Edman, Tommy NL 2B/3B/RF .611 1.011 -.400 Maton, Nick NL SS/2B .521 .912 -.391 Rojas, Jose AL 2B/3B/RF .511 .891 -.380 Maldonado, Martin AL C .417 .767 -.350 Murphy, Tom AL C .450 .786 -.336 Schoop, Jonathan AL 2B/1B/DH .709 1.045 -.336 Cron, C.J. NL 1B .711 1.046 -.335 Leon, Sandy NL C .353 .686 -.333 Pinder, Chad AL LF/SS/2B .585 .918 -.333 Garlick, Kyle AL RF .550 .878 -.328 Laureano, Ramon AL CF .736 1.056 -.320 Gonzalez, Erik NL 3B/SS/1B .462 .780 -.318 Turner, Trea NL SS .758 1.070 -.312 Renfroe, Hunter AL RF .646 .958 -.312 Madrigal, Nick AL 2B .684 .989 -.305 Hays, Austin AL RF .616 .920 -.304 Gomes, Yan NL C .633 .935 -.302 Fuentes, Josh NL 3B/1B .562 .863 -.301 *min 30 PA vs. LH/RH
Tools. Analysis. Commentary. And most of all—a tradition of winning. Access it all with a subscription to BaseballHQ.com.
Here are the hitters who have posted the widest LH-RH batting eye ratio splits:
-
Eye ratio (BB/K), vs. LH/RH* Name League Position Eye vs. RH Eye vs. LH Diff ================== ====== ============== ========== ========== ===== Seager, Corey NL SS 1.31 0.13 +1.18 Flores, Wilmer NL 1B/2B/3B 1.36 0.27 +1.09 Verdugo, Alex AL LF 1.00 0.20 +0.80 Brantley, Michael AL LF 0.92 0.15 +0.77 Diaz, Yandy AL 1B/3B 1.48 0.75 +0.73 Olson, Matt AL 1B 1.00 0.33 +0.67 Caratini, Victor NL C 0.59 0.00 +0.59 Frazier, Adam NL 2B 0.95 0.38 +0.57 Mendick, Danny AL 2B/SS/RF 0.71 0.17 +0.54 Freeman, Freddie NL 1B 1.00 0.47 +0.53 Marte, Starling NL LF 0.89 0.40 +0.49 Stephenson, Tyler NL C/1B 0.86 0.38 +0.48 Villar, Jonathan NL 3B/SS/2B 0.54 0.08 +0.46 Moncada, Yoan AL 3B 0.74 0.29 +0.45 Hicks, Aaron AL CF 0.63 0.18 +0.45 Anderson, Brian NL 3B 0.50 0.07 +0.43 Calhoun, Willie AL LF/DH 0.74 0.33 +0.41 Yelich, Christian NL LF 0.90 0.50 +0.40 Collins, Zack AL C/DH 0.55 0.15 +0.40 Lopez, Nicky AL SS/2B 1.00 0.60 +0.40 Taylor, Tyrone NL LF 0.40 0.00 +0.40 Riley, Austin NL 3B 0.48 0.08 +0.40 Albies, Ozzie NL 2B 0.61 0.22 +0.39 Hosmer, Eric NL 1B 0.57 0.20 +0.37 Rojas, Josh NL 2B/SS/RF 0.50 0.14 +0.36 Reynolds, Bryan NL CF 0.75 0.40 +0.35 Votto, Joey NL 1B 0.63 0.29 +0.34 Gomes, Yan NL C 0.33 0.00 +0.33 Garver, Mitch AL C 0.59 0.26 +0.33 Kemp, Tony AL 2B/LF 1.13 0.80 +0.33 Crawford, Brandon NL SS 0.56 0.24 +0.32 Lowrie, Jed AL 2B/DH 0.65 0.33 +0.32 Rosario, Eddie AL LF 0.57 0.25 +0.32 Happ, Ian NL CF 0.52 0.21 +0.31 Castro, Jason AL C 0.80 0.50 +0.30 Soto, Juan NL LF 1.30 1.00 +0.30 Cooper, Garrett NL 1B 0.41 0.11 +0.30 Gallo, Joey AL RF 0.75 0.45 +0.30 Crawford, J.P. AL SS 0.57 0.27 +0.30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name League Position Eye vs. RH Eye vs. LH Diff ================== ====== ============== ========== ========== ===== Kelly, Carson NL C 0.45 2.60 -2.15 Rizzo, Anthony NL 1B 0.65 2.33 -1.68 Guerrero Jr, Vladimir AL 1B/DH 0.58 2.25 -1.67 Rojas, Miguel NL SS 0.35 2.00 -1.65 Belt, Brandon NL 1B 0.36 2.00 -1.64 Rendon, Anthony AL 3B 0.40 1.80 -1.40 Tom, Ka'ai NL LF 0.31 1.60 -1.29 Ruf, Darin NL LF/1B 0.30 1.50 -1.20 Longoria, Evan NL 3B 0.40 1.57 -1.17 Fletcher, David AL 2B/SS 0.22 1.17 -0.95 Ramirez, Harold AL CF 0.10 1.00 -0.90 Edman, Tommy NL 2B/3B/RF 0.31 1.20 -0.89 Walker, Christian NL 1B 0.16 1.00 -0.84 Machado, Manny NL 3B 0.54 1.33 -0.79 Cain, Lorenzo NL CF 0.42 1.20 -0.78 Grandal, Yasmani AL C 0.83 1.58 -0.75 Merrifield, Whit AL 2B 0.39 1.14 -0.75 Correa, Carlos AL SS 0.57 1.31 -0.74 Sogard, Eric NL 2B/3B 0.27 1.00 -0.73 Astudillo, Willians AL C/1B/3B 0.00 0.67 -0.67 Newman, Kevin NL SS/2B 0.69 1.33 -0.64 Renfroe, Hunter AL RF 0.15 0.77 -0.62 Diaz, Aledmys AL LF/2B/3B/1B 0.13 0.75 -0.62 Pina, Manny NL C 0.42 1.00 -0.58 Perez, Roberto AL C 0.21 0.78 -0.57 Acuna Jr, Ronald NL RF 0.54 1.09 -0.55 Muncy, Max NL 1B/2B 0.79 1.33 -0.54 Higashioka, Kyle AL C 0.27 0.80 -0.53 Mercedes, Yermin AL DH 0.33 0.83 -0.50 *min 30 PA vs. LH/RH
Let's take a closer look at some bats who own significant lefty-righty production and batting eye splits.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Jason Castro (C, HOU) is a second catcher worth targeting in deep leagues. He has been excellent against RHers so far in 2021 (.308 BA, 1.009 OPS, 0.80 Eye in 26 AB). His value plummets against southpaws (.208 BA, .720 OPS, 0.50 Eye in 24 AB). Both are tiny sample sizes, but if you play in a really deep, competitive league, these kind of nuggets can help you.
Kyle Higashioka (C, NYY) might seem like a second catcher you want to avoid, even in deep leagues (.186 BA, .678 OPS in 86 AB). Turns out that those bad stats have been driven by deep struggles against righty arms: .527 OPS, 0.27 Eye in 60 AB. He has been valuable against lefties, albeit in a tiny sample size (1.021 OPS, 0.80 Eye in 26 AB).
Ryan Jeffers (C, MIN) has produced in spurts since his recall from the minors. He's a really useful bat against southpaws (.357 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1.150 OPS in 28 AB). For now, we can't expect him to do much against RHers though: .132 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .424 OPS, 0.15 Eye in 53 AB.
Ramón Laureano (CF, OAK) is one of the best bats in the game against lefties: .365 BA, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1.056 OPS in 63 AB. His plate discipline has been nearly as good as those stats (10% bb%, 83% ct%, 0.64 Eye). Both his production (.206 BA, .736 OPS in 131 AB) and plate skills (8% bb%, 63% ct%, 0.23 Eye) tank against RHers.
Brandon Lowe (2B/LF, TAM) has backtracked a bit in 2021 (.200 BA, .697 OPS in 240 AB). The culprit has been some deep struggles against LHers: .357 OPS, 0.17 Eye in 75 AB. Both his production (.848 OPS) and batting eye (0.45 Eye) soar against righty bats.
Nick Madrigal (2B, CHW) might seem like a slap hitter, but check out what he did against lefties before going down with a season-ending injury: .373 BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .989 OPS in 59 AB. That production wasn't a fluke either; reference his .203 ISO vs. LHers.
Cedric Mullins II (CF, BAL) is in the midst of a breakout season (.323 BA, .955 OPS in 266 AB). He looks like an upper-tier bat against RHers: .964 OPS, 0.50 Eye in 181 AB. His production and plate approach are nearly identical when lefties are on the mound, too (.935 OPS, 0.50 Eye in 85 AB).
Roberto Pérez (C, CLE) could be worth a look in very deep leagues once he returns from injury in July. He was really good against lefties before going to the injured list (.921 OPS, 0.78 Eye in 26 AB). You don't want him anywhere near your active roster when righties are on the mound: .294 OPS, 0.21 Eye in 35 AB.
Andrew Vaughn (LF/1B, CHW) is another young hitter that shows glimpses of his high ceiling in certain situations. Take how much he produces against LHers: .344 BA, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 1.190 OPS in 61 AB. His plate skills against southpaws are solid too (15% bb%, 69% ct%, 0.58 Eye). Both his production (.487 OPS in 121 AB) and plate discipline (5% bb%, 69% ct%, 0.19 Eye) tank against same-sided arms.
Alex Verdugo (LF, BOS) looks like a thumper against RHers (.331 BA, 8 HR, 25 RBI, .959 OPS in 166 AB), and he does it without sacrificing his plate skills (10% bb%, 89% ct%, 1.00 Eye). His deep struggles against lefties remain his bugaboo (.207 BA, 1 HR, 7 RBI, .504 OPS), against whom his plate approach tanks (0.20 Eye).
Jared Walsh (1B/RF, LAA) has blossomed in a full-time role in the LAA lineup. He has posted a .283 BA, 17 HR, 50 RBI, and .911 OPS in 251 AB. And he hasn't reached his ceiling yet. He really struggles against LHers (.541 OPS, 0.11 Eye in 82 AB) but mashes righties (1.083 OPS, 0.39 Eye in 169 AB).
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Tommy Edman (2B/3B/RF, STL) is another bat that shows significant lefty/righty splits. He has been an impact bat against lefties: .333 BA, 1.011 OPS in 51 AB. And he has done so while showing elite plate skills (11% bb%, 90% ct%, 1.20 Eye). He's just not worth using against righties (.611 OPS, 0.31 Eye in 234 AB).
Garrett Hampson (2B/CF, COL) has carved out a semi-regular role in the COL lineup. Digging deeper, he's someone you really want to have in your lineup when lefties are on the mound: .348 BA, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 1.089 OPS, 0.55 Eye in 69 AB. But check out how much his stats and skills plummet against righties: .208 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .593 OPS, 0.23 Eye in 154 AB.
Carson Kelly (C, ARI) might own the widest lefty/righty splits in the game. He looks pretty pedestrian against RHers: .226 BA, .685 OPS, 0.45 Eye in 106 AB. He's a truly elite bat against lefties: .341 BA, 1.219 OPS, 2.60 Eye in 44 AB.
Evan Longoria (3B, SF) is a veteran bat worth using when lefties are on the mound: .364 BA, 1.264 OPS, 1.57 Eye in 44 AB. He's an unspectacular producer when righties are on the mound: .248 BA, .747 OPS, 0.40 Eye in 117 AB.
Will Smith (C, LA) also is a pre-peak player that looks like an upper-tier bat in certain scenarios. Against righties, few catchers have been better: .995 OPS, 0.84 Eye in 112 AB. His value dives vs. LHers: .633 OPS, 0.56 Eye in 68 AB.
More From Batters
In our last installment this season, a look at the lineup spots for James Wood, Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Junior Caminero.
Sep 6 2024 3:03am
Sep 6 2024 3:03am
Jackson Merrill's huge multi-category contributions in August came with strong underlying support.
Sep 2 2024 3:07am
Sep 2 2024 3:07am
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has seemed destined for greatness from the time he was a teenager, but he has had an up-and-down journey in the Major Leagues. We dig into how he has bounced back in 2024.
Aug 27 2024 3:08am
Aug 27 2024 3:08am
The exciting early returns from James Wood would accelerate quickly if he could figure out a way to loft the ball against lefties.
Aug 26 2024 3:06am
Aug 26 2024 3:06am
This week we focus on three hitters who moved into new lineup spots in the second half, fueling improved production.
Aug 23 2024 3:03am
Aug 23 2024 3:03am
