The Approach Angle

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The Approach Angle podcast is the easiest way to learn advanced baseball. Hosts Nate Schwartz and Kyle Bland guide listeners through the sea of baseball analytics, teaching advanced metrics and translating them into laymen terms, helping you watch baseball smarter.

Episodes

  1. 13 HR AGO

    TAA 4 - How to Understand Batted Ball Metrics

    The Approach Angle Nate Schwartz (@_nateschwartz) and Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) discuss how to use a variety of batted ball metrics. They start by talking about how average exit velocity can be deceptive, and isn't the best way to evaluate how hard hitters hit the ball. Instead, they pivot to talking about HardHit% and get into power stats such as max exit velocity and 90th percentile exit velocity. Then, they move into batted ball metrics that go beyond just how hard the ball is hit, such as Air EV (line drives and flyballs) and barrel rate. Kyle also touches on why PullAir% is an important stat that influences power outside of exit velocity. They wrap up by bringing it all together in xwOBACON, a one stat that measures everything on batted balls. Articles discussed: Fixing HardHit%: Pitcher Percentile Risers and the Case for K+SC%, Alexander Chase; Exit Velocity: Modeling Average Maximum Athletic Effort, Jonathan Judge; Introducing a Dynamic Hard Hit Rate and "TrueHit", Connor Kurcon; Now Let’s Tweak Hard-Hit Rate Using Spray Angle, Alex Chamberlain; They Don’t Make Barrels Like They Used To, Ben Clemens Players mentioned: Dominic Canzone, Roman Anthony, Chase Meidroth, Angel Martines, Rhys Hoskins, Coby Mayo, Hunter Goodman, Cal Raleigh, Ozzie Albies, Elly de la Cruz, James Wood, Jordan Walker Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 7min

  2. 25 MAR

    TAA 3 - Stats for Identifying Underappreciated Pitchers

    The Approach Angle Nate Schwartz (@_nateschwartz) and Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) discuss the importance of WHIP and how it can be analyzed with Str-ICR to find underappreciated pitchers.  They talk about the basis of WHIP: first, why it's an important stat, and how it can be forgotten when analyzing a pitcher. Is it still important in today's analysis? Then, the discussion pivots to the most volatile part of WHIP, batted ball results. Ideal Contact Rate (ICR) groups all contact that's bad for a pitcher, and is an easier way to understand the quality of contact a pitcher is giving up. The two discuss the significance of finding the right batted balls to measure, and how ICR can be combined with Strike Rate as a proxy for estimating WHIP. This concept comes from an article Kyle wrote two years ago (https://pitcherlist.com/introducing-str-icr/). Finally, they mention players who stand out between their 2025 Str-ICR and 2026 projected WHIP. Players mentioned: Mick Abel, Jose Soriano, Cade Horton, Spencer Strider, George Kirby Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 1min

  3. 14 MAR

    TAA 2 - Auction Calculators and Other Draft Evaluation Tools

    The Approach Angle Nate Schwartz (@_nateschwartz) and Kyle Bland (@blandalytics) are joined by Alexander Chase to discuss auction values and other draft evaluation tools for upcoming fantasy drafts.  They compare the importance of industry rankings and calculated auction values, then get into how auction values are built using calculators. The group also breaks down auction values specifically: establishing how playing time is such a strong tool and the balance between playing time & talent. Finally, they discuss the individuality of using these tools, such as why knowing your league format matters and how to leverage them in a draft room.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1hr 4min

  4. 4 FEB

    TAA 1 - Advanced Metrics that Matter - Premiere at PitchCon!

    The Approach Angle Nate Schwartz and Kyle Bland discuss 2026’s newest metrics that matter and where analytics stand heading into the season. They talk about how players are adapting to all the information they have and what information they want next. Then, they break down bat-tracking metrics, highlight the importance of similarity scores, and share what non-competitive rate means for pitchers.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    57 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

The Approach Angle podcast is the easiest way to learn advanced baseball. Hosts Nate Schwartz and Kyle Bland guide listeners through the sea of baseball analytics, teaching advanced metrics and translating them into laymen terms, helping you watch baseball smarter.

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