Not Every Switch-Hitter Should Be One
Switch-hitting is often treated as a rare and valuable skill — the ability to hit from both sides of the plate theoretically gives batters a built-in advantage regardless of the pitcher. But for some players, the switch-hitting label may be doing more harm than good. When one side of the plate consistently underperforms and becomes a statistical sinkhole, it’s worth questioning whether sticking to a single side might unlock better overall production.
In recent years, players like Cedric Mullins and Shane Victorino proved that abandoning the switch-hitter identity can lead to noticeable improvements. Below, we examine five current switch-hitters who might benefit from making that same decision.
Thanks to Just Baseball for the stats, analysis, and insights for this slideshow article.