The modern MLB hitting discourse often includes the idea of launch angle.
Launch angle doesn’t always mean that a hitter actually has an uppercut swing, though. There are multiple elements that determine a baseball’s launch angle off the bat.
But there’s one major league hitter who has a true uppercut: Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers. And it really, really works.
Greene’s swing path, per Statcast data, is 46 degrees. He’s the only MLB hitter above the halfway point between parallel and perpendicular to the ground.
The outfielder has developed into a superstar in part because of his swing.
This season, the 24-year old is batting .286 with 10 doubles, 12 homers and 34 RBI.
He hit 24 home runs last year and is on pace to shatter that mark this season.
Greene has a smooth lefty swing that leans into the new elements of modern baseball. He involves his lower half well to help drive the ball in the air.
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Greene made his MLB debut at 21 and has improved his power output every year, and he’s now slugging .535.
No one in baseball is within four degrees of Greene’s swing path tilt, with Freddie Freeman’s 42 degrees next on the leaderboard.
As long as it’s working, don’t expect Greene to change a thing.
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