Braves' Swing Shift: Chasing More Pitches

0:00It's April 30th, M.O.B. News, today starts now, AI powered and always on. The Atlanta Braves ditched their chase rate contest this season, no more team-wide push to avoid swinging at bad pitches. Back in 2025, they tried getting super selective, dropping their chase rate big time while still hammering strikes. But early 2026 data shows a flip. They're chasing Morgan, with ranks shifting hard, thanks to small samples. Fans evolve, and the braves went from swinging at everything in 2024 top and strikes offered above average on balls, to joining the Selective Club last year. It didn't spark wins though, they're often still tanked. Now hitting coach Tim Hires sticks around amidst staff changes, but no one's tracking chases like before. Players tell the real story. Ozzy Albees and Michael Harris stay aggressive, true to form. Albees' chase is steady, Harris got wilder when told to chill. Ronald Akuna, Matt Olson, Austin Riley, and Ricky Drake Baldwin mix it up.

1:02Olson's ultra selective, Riley's adjusting post injury, Baldwin's thriving. Either way, zoom in on 2026 so far. Braves rank high and expected weighted on base average on contact. Fifth overall, after slipping last year. Walk rates plunge from top five to dead last, while strikeouts hit a season-low third best. It's a reversal from recent trends. Play disciplines fluid. No straight path. Just players doing their thing amid new automated strike zones, smoothing data quirks. Braves powers rebounding early. Keep watching if this free swing vibe sticks through the summer grind.