Which Batters Swing Least Often and Most Often on First Pitches?

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Securing strike one is vital for pitchers, and many hitters prefer to take the first pitch to gauge the pitcher’s release, velocity, and movement. In this analysis, I’ll highlight the 15 batters with the lowest and highest first-pitch swing percentages among all qualified hitters in 2024, and provide tips on how to effectively pitch to them.

Table 1 outlines the 15 batters with the lowest first pitch swing percentage in the last two seasons. For context, the average first pitch swing rate over the past two seasons has been 33.3%.

Table 1: 15 batters with the lowest first pitch swing percentage in the last two seasons (among 2024 qualified hitters)

Adley Rutschman, Steven Kwan, Seiya Suzuki, Blake Perkins, Lars Nootbaar, Masataka Yoshida, Gabriel Moreno, and José Ramírez are among the MLB hitters with the lowest first-pitch swing percentages.

This data provides some insight to the Yankees pitching staff in preparation for facing the Guardians in the ALCS. The Yankees pitchers should focus on getting ahead in the count by challenging Kwan and Ramírez with first pitch fastball strikes in most situations.

Table 2 shows the 15 batters with the highest first pitch swing percentage in the last two seasons.

Table 2: 15 batters with the highest first pitch swing percentage in the last two seasons (among 2024 qualified hitters)

Notable hitters who aim to attack first pitches include Corey Seager, Nick Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, Mauricio Dubón, and Yainer Diaz.

Pitchers should consider starting these batters off with breaking balls or off-speed pitches, or aim first-pitch fastballs toward the corners to avoid giving them something easy to drive.