Looking at the hitting stats

[Epictetus]

...comparing hitting performance of players who returned from 2016, most improved their slugging percentage and most improved their home run totals while batting averages fell for all but two (Butler improved by 85 points and Sowers improved by 18).

Do you think this means that coaches are teaching hitters to focus on increasing their launch angle? This would lead to fewer hits but a higher proportion of extra-base hits, as is happening in MLB.

Batting averages also tended to fall from 2015 to 2016. This is beginning to look like a trend.

 

[Charlesroast]

Along those lines this from MLB draft comments regarding Craig Dedelow:

Dedelow, who was drafted in the 34th round by the Pirates last year, traded average for power during his senior season with Indiana. The 6-foot-4, 194-pound outfielder hit just 12 homers in his first three years for the Hoosiers before breaking out with 17 bombs in his final year. His 51 RBIs were a career high, but he hit just .254. He can play all three outfield positions.

 

[jsglenn4]

...comparing hitting performance of players who returned from 2016, most improved their slugging percentage and most improved their home run totals while batting averages fell for all but two (Butler improved by 85 points and Sowers improved by 18).

Do you think this means that coaches are teaching hitters to focus on increasing their launch angle? This would lead to fewer hits but a higher proportion of extra-base hits, as is happening in MLB.

Batting averages also tended to fall from 2015 to 2016. This is beginning to look like a trend.

Launch Angle is all the rage now. You can't swing a dead cat over at FanGraphs without hitting an article about it these days. One example...

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/joey-votto-and-the-mounting-evidence-of-a-fly-ball-movement/

 

[biglewexpress]

Along those lines this from MLB draft comments regarding Craig Dedelow:

Dedelow, who was drafted in the 34th round by the Pirates last year, traded average for power during his senior season with Indiana. The 6-foot-4, 194-pound outfielder hit just 12 homers in his first three years for the Hoosiers before breaking out with 17 bombs in his final year. His 51 RBIs were a career high, but he hit just .254. He can play all three outfield positions.

Dedlow drafted 9th round #267 by the White Soxs.

 

[Charlesroast]

Dedlow drafted 9th round #267 by the White Soxs.

That is super, he gave a lot to IU's program on and off the field.
Great that he is getting a good chance to continue at the next level.