About Me
My name is Javier Mercado, and I am a data-science student exploring how baseball can be understood through data, modeling, and visualization. You can find more of my work on GitHub and learn more about New College of Florida.
About This Project
This project explores the physics and mechanics behind Major League Baseball home runs using Statcast tracking data from the 2025 season.
What Makes a Home Run Go Out of the Park?
Sending a baseball over an outfield wall 350 to 420+ feet away requires the right combination of physics and timing:
- Exit Velocity (Bat Speed & Contact): The ball needs sufficient speed coming off the bat. Most home runs require an exit velocity of at least 95–100+ mph to overcome aerodynamic drag and carry the fence.
- Launch Angle (Lift): Crushing the ball is not enough if it is driven into the ground or popped straight up. The ideal trajectory is between 25° and 35°, which provides the perfect blend of carry and distance.
- The Sweet Spot (“Barrels”): Statcast defines a “barrel” as a batted ball hit with the combination of exit velocity and launch angle that yields the highest likelihood of extra-base hits and home runs.
By studying these tracking metrics, we can see exactly what separates a routine flyout from a tape-measure blast.