How to Create a Scouting Report with 3 Basic Stats

TMVP #018: How to Throw More Strikes in 2025.

In this episode, Josh and I walk through 6 ways to increase your strike rate.

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Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the batters you are going to face can be challenging when you don't have access to advanced data.

While it isn't perfect, you can learn a lot from basic stats.

Today, I want to show you 3 stats I would look at, at the amateur levels.

Let's begin.

1. K%

Strikeout percentage is simply the total amount of strikeouts divided by plate appearances.

Example: 3 strikeouts out of 10 plate appearances would be a 30% strikeout rate.

Averages by level:

MLB - 22.2%

MiLB - 24%

D1 - 19.7%

A high K rate likely means there is a lot of swing and miss with that player. On the flip side, if they have a low K rate, they have good bat to ball skills.

2. BB%

Walk percentage is the total amount of walks divided by plate appearances.

Example: 2 walks out of 10 plate appearances would be a 20% walk rate.

Average by level:

MLB - 8.2%

MiLB - 11.4%

D1 - 11.1%

A high walk rate means the hitter does not chase out of the zone very much. A low walk rate means the hitter likely swings at pitches out of the zone often.

3. Isolated Power

The formula for ISO is simply slugging percentage minus batting average.

Example: A hitter that is batting .300 with a .500 SLG% has an ISO of .200.

I prefer ISO over slugging percentage because it takes singles out of the equation and just tells me what he is doing from a damage standpoint when he hits the ball.

Average by level:

MLB - .152

MiLB - .135

D1 - .168 

Putting it All Together

Let's walk through a couple scenarios by looking at the whole picture.

Player 1:

K% - 31%

BB% - 15%

ISO - .205

This player strikes out a lot, walks a lot, and hits for damage.

This tells me he likely doesn't chase out of the zone much, but does have a hole in the zone where he swings and misses.

Player 2:

K% - 13%

BB% - 12%

ISO - .110

This player doesn't strikeout much, walks a lot, and doesn't hit for much damage.

This is a player you need to attack in the zone. He has good bat to ball skills and doesn't chase outside the zone. Because he doesn't hit for power, go right after him and challenge with best stuff in the zone.

Player 3:

K% - 28%

BB% - 5%

ISO - .220

This player strikes out a lot, doesn't walk much, hits for power.

This is an example of someone that will chase pitches outside of the zone, but if you make a mistake over the plate it will go for damage. Likely want to pitch backwards to this guy and expose him with the pitch he chases the most.

RECAP

Top 3 Basic Stats for Scouting Reports:

1. K%

2. BB%

3. ISO

That's all for today.

See you next week!

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