Luis Arraez is a reminder that there are different ways to succeed in Major League Baseball. While the Three True Outcomes and launch angle revolution have become prevalent in the game, the Minnesota Twins infielder has taken a different approach. He is drawing walks, but he is also swinging at strikes and putting pressure on opposing defenses.
That approach is working. He has posted a .363/.446/.438 batting line in his 231 plate appearances, hitting three homers and six doubles. It is also a performance that has not been seen in over a century, as Arraez is on pace to have the first season with an OPS+ over 150 while having a higher on base percentage than slugging percentage with at least 200 plate appearances since 1915.
Minnesota Twins infielder Luis Arraez having throwback season
Interestingly, three players had that type of season in 1915. Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Eddie Collins, and catcher Art Wilson, all managed to put together that type of season. As Speaker and Collins were noted for their speed, it is not much of a surprise that they would have put together such a season. Wilson, meanwhile, had his notable showing in the final season of the Federal League where he was one of the bigger offensive stars.
Arraez is not a Statcast darling by any stretch of the imagination. He ranks in the eighth percentile in hard hit rate as he is not exactly stinging line drives around the ballpark. His barrel rates and max exit velocity are subpar. An expected .314/.395/.462 batting line is still an impressive showing, but also hints at upcoming regression.
But there are reasons to hope that Arraez will continue his improbable season. He simply does not chase pitches outside of the strike zone as he is in the 81st percentile in chase rate. When he does swing, he makes contact, as Arraez is in the 100th percentile in whiff percentage. He is looking for his pitch, not swinging it is outside of the zone, and making contact when he does offer.
This approach is clearly working. Arraez has become a key piece in the Twins’ lineup as he has split time between first and second. It may not be a modern way of playing, but it is still effective. As Arraez is not showing any signs of slowing down, there is no reason to expect that to change.
Luis Arraez is taking a decidedly old school approach to the plate. The Minnesota Twins infielder is having the type of season that has not been seen in over 100 years.