Platoon Split
Also known as: platoon advantage, platoon splits, lefty vs lefty, lefty on lefty, righty vs righty, same-side pitcher, handedness split
A platoon split is the difference in how a hitter does against same-handed and opposite-handed pitchers. Most hitters do better against pitchers who throw from the other side. A same-side pitcher's ball is harder to pick up out of the hand, and the slider shows the biggest gap of any pitch. Managers use this to platoon hitters, and it is the main reason switch hitters exist.
FanGraphs explains the platoon effect simply. It seems harder to see the ball out of the hand from a same-side pitcher, and some arm slots make that worse. For a left-handed hitter, a left-hander's pitches can seem to start behind his front shoulder, and his breaking balls move away from the hitter.
Pitch type matters. FanGraphs lists the slider with a large normal platoon effect and the four-seam fastball with a small one, while changeups and curveballs show a small reverse effect. That is one reason a left-handed reliever with a sharp slider is so often brought in to face left-handed hitters.
Splits are noisy. In 300 total plate appearances, a hitter may face left-handers only 75 to 100 times. As a result, FanGraphs warns that a split that size tells you little. A large split over 1,500 or more plate appearances is more likely to be real.
Young hitters should face both sides as often as they can. A hitter who struggles against same-side pitching usually needs more reps seeing it, especially breaking balls, rather than a new swing.
Tips by skill level
Ask a coach or teammate who throws from your side to give you front toss and short breaking balls. Practice tracking the ball from the release point all the way in.
Keep your own split by pitch type. If the gap comes mostly from same-side sliders, work on recognizing spin early and laying off the ones that finish out of the zone.
Example
A left-handed 15-year-old hits right-handers well but rarely squares up lefties. His coach sets up front toss from a left-handed arm angle and adds left-handed breaking balls from a pitching machine. After several weeks he picks up the ball sooner and stops bailing on sliders.
Why it matters
Platoon splits shape lineups, pinch-hitting and bullpen moves. For a hitter, knowing the split explains why some matchups feel harder and shows what to practice.
Common mistakes
- Benching a young hitter against same-side pitchers instead of giving him the reps he needs
- Treating a split from one season of plate appearances as a fixed trait
- Changing the swing when the real issue is picking up the ball from a same-side arm slot
Frequently asked questions
Why is it harder for a lefty to hit a lefty?
The ball is harder to pick up out of a same-side pitcher's hand, and his breaking balls move away from you. FanGraphs lists the slider as the pitch with the largest platoon effect.
Should my kid learn to switch hit?
It can pay off, because a switch hitter has the platoon advantage against every pitcher, but it takes a lot more practice. Many coaches suggest trying it young and keeping it only if the weaker side becomes competitive.
What does it mean to platoon in baseball?
Platooning means two hitters share a position so each one mostly faces pitchers from the opposite side. It uses the platoon advantage most hitters have against opposite-handed pitchers.
Sources
Related terms
- Pitch RecognitionPitch recognition is identifying a pitch's type and location early — out of the pitcher's hand and from spin — so the hitter can commit to a swing or take decision before it's too late to act.
- SliderThe slider is a breaking ball with lateral movement and some downward tilt, faster than a curveball and usually sharper in its late break.
- Hitting a CurveballTo hit a curveball, pick it up early from the hump and spin out of the pitcher's hand. Keep your weight and hands back, let the ball travel and hit it where it ends up, usually up the middle or the other way. Lay off a curve that starts at the knees. It usually finishes in the dirt.
- Zone HittingZone hitting means swinging only at pitches in the hitter's most dangerous part of the strike zone. It avoids the edges where the swing makes weak contact.
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