Pitching
Contact management
How pitchers and defenses limit the damage of contact when hitters do put the ball in play.
Why it matters
Not every successful plate appearance ends in a strikeout; location, batted-ball shape, defensive positioning, and game state can make contact easier to defend.
What to watch
- Ground balls or routine airborne contact in damaging counts
- Location patterns that avoid a hitter's damage zones
- Contact quality changing when runners reach base