Why Exit Velocity Matters for Home Runs
Exit velocity helps explain how hard a home run was hit. Learn how to use exit velocity when reviewing MLB home run data.
What Exit Velocity Means
Exit velocity is the speed of the baseball as it leaves the bat, measured in miles per hour. It's a Statcast metric that captures how hard the ball was struck.
Why Hard Contact Matters
Hard contact is more likely to result in extra-base hits, including home runs. A ball hit at 110+ mph has a much higher chance of leaving the yard than a 95 mph fly ball.
Exit Velocity vs Distance
Distance and exit velocity are related but not identical. Launch angle, wind, and park dimensions all affect distance. A ball can be crushed at 112 mph and still die in the warning track if the launch angle is wrong.
Why Not Every Hard-Hit Ball Becomes a Home Run
Even 110+ mph contact can be a line drive into the gap, a hard ground ball, or a fly out. Exit velocity is part of the picture, not the whole picture.
How to Use Exit Velocity in Player Trackers
On a player tracker page, exit velocity helps separate "lucky" home runs from genuinely dangerous swings. A hitter averaging 108 mph on his HRs is more sustainable than one averaging 96 mph.
What to Avoid When Reading Exit Velocity
Don't treat one hot game as a trend. Sample size matters. And don't ignore launch angle — exit velocity without launch angle context can mislead.
Track Live Exit Velocity
The live MLB home run tracker shows exit velocity for every HR.