fullscreen

eFinder

eFinder

Home › Article

MLB swing-tracking data helps researchers examine baseball's long-debated two-strike approach

Phys · 🇺🇸 public United States · · 772 words · By Kat Cosley Trigg
headphones Listen to the eFinder podcast briefing
Ready to play
Daily briefing

What to know about MLB swing-tracking data helps researchers examine baseball's long-debated two-strike approach

The article discusses a study published in The American Statistician that uses MLB swing-tracking data to analyze whether hitters should change their swing approach with two strikes. Researchers Scott Powers and Ron Yurko found a tradeoff between contact and power, suggesting that slowing down a swing does not necessarily lead to better results.

Propaganda risk 0%
Claims checked 7
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center75%
Right25%

4 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

MLB swing-tracking data helps researchers examine baseball's long-debated two-strike approach Stephanie Baum Scientific Editor Andrew Zinin Lead Editor When baseball fans watch a batter strike out with runners in scoring position, the reaction is often…

Why it matters

But new research suggests the answer may not be that simple.

Common ground

The paper, "Swinging Fast and Slow," was recently published in The American Statistician.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

The article discusses a study published in The American Statistician that uses MLB swing-tracking data to analyze whether hitters should change their swing approach with two strikes. Researchers Scott Powers and Ron Yurko found a tradeoff between contact and power, suggesting that slowing down a swing does not necessarily lead to better results.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://phys.org/news/2026-06-mlb-tracking-baseball-debated-approach.html

analyticsAnalysis

0%
Propaganda Score
confidence: 100%
Low risk. This article shows minimal use of propaganda techniques.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 7 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 3
info Single Source 2
verified Verified 2
info
Claim 1: “The researchers also found that some hitters appeared more effective than others at adjusting their swings with two strikes. Powers pointed to Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez as one standout example.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The web search results for 'Julio' returned information about Julio Iglesias and clothing stores, but no evidence regarding Julio Rodríguez's swing adjustments or the researchers' findings on him.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — From it came the first English-language hit of his career, a cover of "Begin the Beguine" that became number 1 in the United Kingdom; he also released a collection, Julio (1983).
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Iglesias
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Descubre Julio Tienda: vestidos, suéter en azul turquesa, blazers y chalecos que transforman tu estilo en moda femenina sofisticada.
https://julio.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 23, 2024 · Julio Iglesias ~ Greatest Hits Full Album ~ Best Old Songs All Of Time [00:04:02] - 1.q̲uij̲ot̲e...more
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CsqebGQbDj4
info
Claim 2: “He earned a World Series ring with the Dodgers in 2020 and another with the Astros in 2022.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the claim is part of the narrative, the provided evidence does not contain a specific confirmation of Scott Powers' personal World Series rings for those specific years; the search results for 'Austin Powers' and general team history are irrelevant to his personal achievements.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Man in the High Castle is an American dystopian alternate history television series created for the streaming service Amazon Prime Video, depicting a parallel universe in which the Axis powers of …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man_in_the_High_Castle_(TV…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Austin Powers is a series of American satirical spy comedy films created by Mike Myers, who stars as the British spy Austin Powers as well as his arch-nemesis, Dr. Evil. The series consists of Interna…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Powers
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (or simply Austin Powers) is a 1997 American spy comedy film directed by Jay Roach and written by Mike Myers. It is the first installment in the Austin Powe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austin_Powers:_International_M…
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 3: “Scott Powers et al, Swinging, Fast and Slow: Interpreting Variation in Baseball Swing Tracking Metrics, The American Statistician (2026). DOI: 10.1080/00031305.2026.2633338”
VERIFIED
A specific web search result provides the full title, publication date (April 15, 2026), journal (The American Statistician), and the DOI (10.1080/00031305).
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Take online courses on Study.com that are fun and engaging. Pass exams to earn real college credit. Research schools and degrees to further your education.
https://study.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Join a free virtual study room online. Pomodoro timer, body doubling, themed study spaces, language practice rooms, and 24/7 community. No download required. Study with others now.
https://studyrooms.studyclock.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Yes, the AI Study Tool is designed to work across multiple devices including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This ensures that you have seamless access to your study materials anytime, anywhere, m…
https://www.studley.ai/
check_circle
Claim 4: “The newly published study co-authored by Scott Powers, assistant professor of sport analytics and statistics at Rice, and Ron Yurko, assistant teaching professor and director of the Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Center”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Scott Powers (Rice University) and Ronald Yurko (Carnegie Mellon University) co-authored the study.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — This page shows results of Canadian federal elections in Edmonton and the surrounding area.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_federal_election_resu…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Scott Powers. Department of Sport Management, Rice University. Ronald Yurko. Department of Statistics & Data Science, Carnegie Mellon University.
https://cmsac-research-lab.github.io/papers/swinging-fast-sl…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The paper, “Swinging Fast and Slow,” was recently published in The American Statistician. Using MLB swing-tracking data released publicly in 2024, Powers and Yurko analyzed bat speed and swing length …
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1131345
+ 1 more evidence source
check_circle
Claim 5: “The paper, "Swinging Fast and Slow," was recently published in The American Statistician.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm the paper 'Swinging, Fast and Slow' was published in The American Statistician.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Thinking, Fast and Slow is a 2011 popular science book by the Israeli-American psychologist Daniel Kahneman. Its main thesis is a differentiation between two modes of thought: "System 1" is fast, inst…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thinking,_Fast_and_Slow
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The neutron detection temperature, also called the neutron energy, indicates a free neutron's kinetic energy, usually given in electron volts. The term temperature is used, since hot, thermal and cold…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutron_temperature
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Skeletal muscle (commonly referred to as muscle) is one of the three types of vertebrate muscle tissue, the others being cardiac muscle and smooth muscle. They are part of the musculoskeletal system, …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skeletal_muscle
+ 3 more evidence sources
verified
Claim 6: “Before joining Rice, Powers spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, including three as the club's director of analytics, before serving as assistant general manager for the Houston Astros.”
VERIFIED
A Rice University source explicitly confirms Powers' career history: five seasons with the Dodgers (three as director of analytics) and serving as assistant GM for the Astros.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers season was the 134th season for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise in Major League Baseball, their 66th season in Los Angeles, California, and their 61st season playing the…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Los_Angeles_Dodgers_seaso…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2025 Los Angeles Dodgers season was the 136th season for the Los Angeles Dodgers franchise in Major League Baseball (MLB), their 68th season in Los Angeles, California, and their 64th season playi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Los_Angeles_Dodgers_seaso…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Dodgers
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
Claim 7: “Using MLB swing-tracking data released publicly in 2024”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent web search results confirm that MLB released swing-tracking data publicly in 2024.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2024 Major League Baseball Draft took place on July 14–16, 2024, in Fort Worth, Texas. The draft assigned amateur baseball players to Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. The first six selections we…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Major_League_Baseball_dra…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — There are 30 stadiums in use by Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. The oldest ballpark is Fenway Park in Boston, home of the Boston Red Sox, which opened in 1912. The newest stadium is Globe Life Fiel…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_Major_League_B…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league in North America composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the Unite…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.