What changed for Samad Taylor.
From 2023 to 2026, Samad Taylor's OPS moved from 0.569 to 0.791. Here's everything else the data sees that changed.
Something has changed for Samad Taylor, now 28, between 2023 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: OPS moved from 0.569 to 0.791, which now sits in the 67th percentile leaguewide. It hasn't been all one direction. Launch Angle has slipped from 6.3° to -0.4°, but the trade has largely worked so far.
The Results
On the bottom-line production (what it all adds up to), it's a genuine mix. Taylor has gained ground on OPS (0.569→0.791), wOBA (0.314→0.385), and xwOBA (0.273→0.326), while slipping on xSLG (0.559→0.532). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2023 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| xwOBA | 0.273 | 0.326 | ▲ +0.053 | 51th |
| wOBA | 0.314 | 0.385 | ▲ +0.070 | 77th |
| xSLG | 0.559 | 0.532 | ▼ -0.027 | 45th |
| OPS | 0.569 | 0.791 | ▲ +0.222 | 67th |
The biggest move is OPS, up from 0.569 to 0.791 (+0.222).
Contact Quality
On the quality of contact (how hard and how flush he's hitting the ball), it's a genuine mix. Taylor has gained ground on Sweet-Spot% (36.6%→37.7%), while slipping on Exit Velo (85.0 mph→78.0 mph), Barrel% (6.7%→1.9%), and Hard-Hit% (25.0%→24.6%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2023 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exit Velo | 85.0 mph | 78.0 mph | ▼ -7.0 | 0th |
| Barrel% | 6.7% | 1.9% | ▼ -4.7 pts | 8th |
| Hard-Hit% | 25.0% | 24.6% | ▼ -0.4 pts | 4th |
| Sweet-Spot% | 36.6% | 37.7% | ▲ +1.1 pts | 69th |
The biggest move is Exit Velo, down from 85.0 mph to 78.0 mph (-7.0).
Plate Approach
On his approach at the plate (what he swings at and how often he misses), it's a genuine mix. Taylor has gained ground on Whiff% (29.6%→21.3%), Chase% (31.0%→29.1%), and BB% (10.7%→11.5%), while slipping on K% (29.3%→29.8%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2023 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase% | 31.0% | 29.1% | ▲ -1.9 pts | 54th |
| Whiff% | 29.6% | 21.3% | ▲ -8.3 pts | 53th |
| K% | 29.3% | 29.8% | ▼ +0.5 pts | 11th |
| BB% | 10.7% | 11.5% | ▲ +0.9 pts | 76th |
The biggest move is Whiff%, down from 29.6% to 21.3% (-8.3 pts).
Swing & Batted-Ball Shape
On his swing and batted-ball shape (the mechanical fingerprint behind the changes above), it's a genuine mix. Taylor has gained ground on Swing Length (6.9 ft→6.3 ft), Pull% (35.0%→44.3%), and Ground-Ball% (55.0%→54.1%), while slipping on Bat Speed (67.9 mph→60.9 mph), Launch Angle (6.3°→-0.4°), and Oppo% (42.5%→26.2%). The net picture is a real shift in profile, not a simple up-or-down.
| Metric | 2023 | 2026 | Change | League now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Angle | 6.3° | -0.4° | ▼ -6.7 | 0th |
| Pull% | 35.0% | 44.3% | ▲ +9.3 pts | 43th |
| Oppo% | 42.5% | 26.2% | ▼ -16.3 pts | 48th |
| Ground-Ball% | 55.0% | 54.1% | ▲ -0.9 pts | 4th |
| Bat Speed (2024+) | 67.9 mph | 60.9 mph | ▼ -7.0 | 0th |
| Swing Length (2024+) | 6.9 ft | 6.3 ft | ▲ -0.6 | 99th |
The biggest move is Bat Speed, down from 67.9 mph to 60.9 mph (-7.0).
The takeaway
Bottom line: between 2023 and 2026, the broad picture is a step forward, and the results are following the process. More of Taylor'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.
How to read this
- Sample sizes are modest (2023 75 PA, 2026 104 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.