Swing Path (Tilt)
Definition
Swing path is a metric that tells you the shape of a hitter's swing on the way toward contact. The tilt of the swing is defined as the vertical angle formed by the bat path compared to the ground.
Different hitters have different types of swing paths. Some hitters have a "steep" or "uppercut" swing, while others have a "flat" swing.
The lower the angle of the swing path, the flatter the swing, and the higher the angle, the steeper the swing path. A swing tilt of 0° would represent a perfectly flat swing (i.e. parallel to the ground), while a swing tilt of 90° would represent a true "golf" swing.
The Major League average swing path tilt is about 32°. On a seasonal level, MLB players' swings range from around 20° at the flattest to around 50° at the steepest.
- Hitters like Corbin Carroll (22° vertical swing path in 2024), Randy Arozarena (25°) and Giancarlo Stanton (26°) are examples of players with relatively flat swings.
Hitters like Freddie Freeman (42° in 2024), Aaron Judge (40°) and Nick Castellanos (39°) are examples of players with relatively steep swings.
A steep or flat swing path is not necessarily good or bad. It is more descriptive of the category of swing a hitter uses, and how he gets his bat to the ball.
Swing tilt can also vary based on pitch location. A hitter is most likely to have a flatter swing against a high pitch, and a steeper swing against a low pitch.
Swing path differs from attack angle in that swing path measures the overall plane the bat follows over the course of the swing, while attack angle measures the direction that the barrel of the bat is moving at the point of contact.
Statcast bat tracking data is available going back to the 2023 All-Star break.