Understanding Barrel Rate (and using it to predict the next power hitters)

Barrels can sometimes be a glossed over statistic but for evaluating power of hitters, its extremely useful. It’s defined as a ball batted with an exit velocity of at least 98 MPH and a launch angle of 26-30 degrees. There’s a slight modification, if a ball is hit 99 MPH then the launch angle window increases by one degree (25-31). This trend continues,…