Mithrandir Metrics
Stories 2026 Refreshed Jul 19 06:00 AM ET
Player Story · 2024 to 2026

What changed for Justin Foscue.

From 2024 to 2026, Justin Foscue's Barrel% moved from 1.5% to 7.6%. Here's everything else the data sees that changed.

2024 PA
67
2026 PA
132
Age
27
Justin Foscue Window 2024 → 2026 Source Seasonal Statcast

Something has changed for Justin Foscue, now 27, between 2024 and 2026. We went through what the data can actually measure, including contact, plate approach, swing shape, and the results they produce, to separate the signal from the noise. The clearest gain: Barrel% moved from 1.5% to 7.6%, which now sits in the 75th percentile leaguewide. It hasn't been all one direction. Pull% has slipped from 76.9% to 43.5%, but the trade has largely worked so far.

Section 1 / 4

The Results

On the bottom-line production (what it all adds up to), the arrows point the right way. Foscue has improved on OPS (0.310→0.830), xSLG (0.259→0.660), and xwOBA (0.134→0.356), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.

Metric 2024 2026 Change League now
xwOBA 0.134 0.356 ▲ +0.221 79th
wOBA 0.289 0.386 ▲ +0.098 79th
xSLG 0.259 0.660 ▲ +0.401 82th
OPS 0.310 0.830 ▲ +0.520 82th

The biggest move is OPS, up from 0.310 to 0.830 (+0.520). It's been a clean step forward here.

Section 2 / 4

Contact Quality

On the quality of contact (how hard and how flush he's hitting the ball), the arrows point the right way. Foscue has improved on Exit Velo (87.2 mph→89.1 mph), Hard-Hit% (19.2%→40.0%), and Barrel% (1.5%→7.6%), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.

Metric 2024 2026 Change League now
Exit Velo 87.2 mph 89.1 mph ▲ +1.9 46th
Barrel% 1.5% 7.6% ▲ +6.1 pts 75th
Hard-Hit% 19.2% 40.0% ▲ +20.8 pts 40th
Sweet-Spot% 34.6% 38.8% ▲ +4.2 pts 77th

The biggest move is Exit Velo, up from 87.2 mph to 89.1 mph (+1.9). It's been a clean step forward here.

Section 3 / 4

Plate Approach

On his approach at the plate (what he swings at and how often he misses), the arrows point the right way. Foscue has improved on Chase% (41.8%→29.4%), K% (34.3%→25.0%), and Whiff% (27.9%→20.9%), with nothing here moving meaningfully against him.

Metric 2024 2026 Change League now
Chase% 41.8% 29.4% ▲ -12.4 pts 53th
Whiff% 27.9% 20.9% ▲ -7.0 pts 54th
K% 34.3% 25.0% ▲ -9.3 pts 27th
BB% 3.0% 8.3% ▲ +5.3 pts 40th

The biggest move is Chase%, down from 41.8% to 29.4% (-12.4 pts). It's been a clean step forward here.

Section 4 / 4

Swing & Batted-Ball Shape

On his swing and batted-ball shape (the mechanical fingerprint behind the changes above), it's a genuine mix. Foscue has gained ground on Bat Speed (68.5 mph→69.4 mph) and Ground-Ball% (53.8%→35.3%), while slipping on Launch Angle (26.7°→19.7°), Pull% (76.9%→43.5%), and Oppo% (30.8%→25.9%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.

Metric 2024 2026 Change League now
Launch Angle 26.7° 19.7° ▼ -7.0 91th
Pull% 76.9% 43.5% ▼ -33.4 pts 38th
Oppo% 30.8% 25.9% ▼ -4.9 pts 46th
Ground-Ball% 53.8% 35.3% ▲ -18.6 pts 85th
Bat Speed (2024+) 68.5 mph 69.4 mph ▲ +0.9 40th
Swing Length (2024+) 7.0 ft 7.0 ft ▼ +0.0 66th

The biggest move is Launch Angle, down from 26.7° to 19.7° (-7.0).

Verdict

The takeaway

Bottom line: between 2024 and 2026, the broad picture is a step forward, and the results are following the process. More of Foscue's underlying markers are pointing up than down. It's worth re-checking as the sample grows, but the direction is already readable in the numbers.

Method

How to read this

  • Sample sizes are modest (2024 67 PA, 2026 132 PA), so read the magnitude of these changes with some caution.
  • This compares what the data can measure (contact, approach, swing and batted-ball shape). Stance, hand position, and leg-kick changes are not in the public data and are not claimed here.

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