Overview
Exit velocity measures batted ball speed at the moment it leaves the bat. Tracking systems now record every batted ball's velocity, enabling objective power evaluation. MLB average exit velocity is approximately 88.5 mph (142 km/h), with balls exceeding 93 mph (150 km/h) classified as hard-hit. Higher exit velocity correlates with higher hit probability; balls above 100 mph (160 km/h) become hits roughly 80% of the time. The barrel zone, combining exit velocity above 98 mph (158 km/h) with launch angles of 26 to 30 degrees, identifies batted balls with extremely high extra-base hit and home run probability.