Recent analysis from Jon Roegele and Brian Mills (among others) has shown that the strike zone is changing. Specifically, the lower edge of the zone has dropped several inches in the last few years, opening up a new area for pitchers to attack. Responding to the deeper zone, pitchers have peppered this region with strikes and sinkers.
The result has been a historic drop in offense and an increase in strikeouts. But as I write today at Fox, the evolving strike zone has caused more than just a spate of strikeouts. It may be behind a leaguewide change in batted ball profile, as well as the defenders who field those batted balls.
A simple change at the plate which brought the called strike zone more in line with the rulebook may have wrought changes throughout the game as far away as the outfield. To get the full picture of the impact of the evolving strike zone, read the article at Fox.
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