Found an interesting article on MLB.com today that looks at David Ortiz's sudden inability to hit LHP this season after experiencing a good success rate against them over the last few years. The author suggests, based on Statcast data, that perhaps his struggles are a result of trying to hit away from the shift more often. The frequency with which he takes LHP to center or left field is 62.1%, up from 54.2% last year.
This somewhat supports the notion that the answer to the shift is to simply go the other way more. It would appear that changing one's approach at the plate might have more ill effects than positive outcomes.
This somewhat supports the notion that the answer to the shift is to simply go the other way more. It would appear that changing one's approach at the plate might have more ill effects than positive outcomes.