Barrel Rate
The percentage of batted balls hit at the optimal combination of exit velocity and launch angle for extra-base hits.
Like measuring how cleanly a tennis player strikes the ball, not just whether the shots go in.
Why it matters
Barrel rate is one of the most predictive Statcast metrics. High barrel rates lead to sustained power output.
How DMP uses this
DMP uses barrel rate to validate whether a hitter's power numbers are skill-driven or luck-driven.
Common mistake
Ignoring barrel rate when a hitter is slugging well -- high SLG with low barrel rate is a regression flag.