Juan Soto's bat tweak boosts swing speed, improves two-strike hitting

Juan Soto has made a subtle but significant change to his bat this season, and the results are already showing. The Mets outfielder switched to a "hockey puck" knob bat in mid-May, a tweak that has helped him shorten his swing and improve his two-strike hitting.

What changed in Soto's bat?

Soto spent nearly a decade in the big leagues using the same bat model, despite cycling through different manufacturers. But in May, he started experimenting with a new design featuring a thick cylindrical knob. This "hockey puck" knob counterbalances the weight of the barrel, allowing hitters to whip the bat around quicker.

Soto first used the new bat during the Mets' series against the D-backs on May 9. He then used it almost exclusively from the series against the Marlins on May 22 through the All-Star Game.

Why did Soto make the switch?

Soto wanted to improve his two-strike hitting, a skill he's known for. He hypothesized that the new bat would help him be quicker in those situations. "I feel like I can be quicker, especially on two strikes," he told SNY's Chelsea Janes after making the switch.

The change was designed to bring Soto and his bat into further harmony, augmenting his best qualities at the plate rather than adding a new dimension.

How has the change affected Soto's performance?

Since switching to the puck knob bat, Soto's swing length has decreased. According to Statcast, his overall swing length went from 7.2 feet to 7.0 feet, and his two-strike swing length dropped from 7.0 feet to 6.8 feet.

Soto's swing was already short for a power hitter, but the new bat has made it even more direct. "I think the balance of it helps me a lot," he said. "I'm all about balance with my bats."

The hockey puck knob bat is a weapon designed for two-strike situations. A swing length under 7 feet is quite short, and that's the territory Soto has gotten his two-strike hacks into.

What's next for Soto?

Soto will continue to use the new bat as he looks to maintain his elite hitting form. The change has already shown positive results, and he's confident that it will help him continue to be one of the best hitters in the game.

"I just feel like I can handle the bat and control it better," he said. "It's been a good change for me."