Graphs how frequently a batter squares the ball up* at different launch angles. The size of each circle is proportional to how frequently the batter hits the ball at that launch angle. Graph up to five players at once.
*: A ball is ‘squared up’ when a batter hits it at least 80% of its theoretical maximum exit velocity, based on bat and ball speed at point of contact.
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| Metric | Lg Avg | Aaron Judge2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Bat Speed | 71.8 | 76.0 |
| HH% | 40.0% | 57.8% |
| GB% | 43% | 34% |
| GB SQ% | 63% | 64% |
| FB% | 57% | 66% |
| FB SQ% | 68% | 70% |
| Batted Balls | — | 379 |
The Squared-Up Explorer tool graphs how frequently a hitter squares the ball up at different launch angles, as well as how often they hit it at each of those launch angles. For each batted ball, we calculate a theoretical maximum exit velocity based on bat speed and ball speed at the point of contact. Batted balls hit 80% or more of that theoretical maximum are considered "squared up." Squaring the ball up is associated with better batted ball results across the board, but the most valuable squared up contact comes in the air. Most home runs have launch angles between 20 and 35 degrees.
Each circle on the graph represents batted balls hit within five degrees of a given launch angle. The size of the circles is proportional to frequency; larger circles denote more common launch angles for that player. The trendline between those points can be optionally smoothed to a polynomial estimation that captures the general pattern of where players make their best contact. The league average line is based on the same polynomial estimation, based on all batted balls in the 2025 season.
Different swings produce optimal contact at different elevations, and depending on swing speed, squaring the ball up can produce varying results. Faster swings produce better results on squared-up aerial contact, and those are the most valuable swings in baseball. To account for this, you can see average bat speed, as well as squared-up rates for grounders and fly balls, for both the selected players and the league as a whole.
