Travis Shaw was traded to Milwaukee after a less than stellar 2016 season. It's hard to imagine the Red Sox, the league leader in Runs, had unproductive 1B/3B play in the batting order.
After 1.5 seasons in Boston, Shaw looks better than ever in 34 games as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. In order to determine what Shaw is doing at the plate we'll compare various batting stats from his time in Boston to his time in Milwaukee. The statistical method being used is Two-Proportions Z-Test.
Results:
K%
Milwaukee: 20.1%
Boston: 24.4%
p-value: .316
No significance change. Obviously striking out less leads to more balls in play which results in a better batting average. However, we can't conclude that Shaw has improved his K%.
Ground Ball %
Milwaukee: 47.7%
Boston: 36.7%
p-value: .043
Significant change.
Fly Ball %
Milwaukee: 29.9%
Boston: 44.0%
p-value: .010
Significant change. New age thought for success is to launch fly balls and avoid hitting the ball on the ground. Shaw hasn't observed this trend as his BA and SLG are greater in Milwaukee than Boston. The Z-Test would lead us to suspect that Shaw is doing the opposite of some of the top sluggers, whom added lift to their swing, and is trying to hit more groundballs. I think it demonstrates that Shaw hasn't adjusted his swing and is simply performing better in a new setting. Furthermore, it indicates that simply trying to hit fly balls doesn't result in success; launch angle is one variable of a multivariable hitting equation.
Barrel %
Milwaukee: 6.93%
Boston: 7.98%
p-value: .892
No significant change. I find this odd as Shaw has experienced better stats in Milwaukee than in Boston. Barrel % is a solid indicator of extra base hits. MLB homerun leaders consistently have been players that frequently barrel up balls. Initially, I expected Shaw's performance in Milwaukee was because he was barreling up more balls.
HR%
Milwaukee: 5.56%
Boston: 3.78%
p-value: .445
No significant change. It appears Shaw's hot start in Milwaukee is comparable to his 2015 season in Boston where he hit 13 HR in 248 PA (5.24%).
BA
Milwaukee: .281
Boston: .251
p-value: .52
No significant change.
We'll check back in a few months to see how Shaw's performance holds up. I expect his numbers to regress closer to his Boston numbers.
Stats from www.fangraphs.com