There were a total of 949 players on opening day rosters of Major League Baseball teams ahead of the 2024 season. Of these players, almost 28 percent were from countries and territories outside the United States, with the Dominican Republic being the most represented nation.

Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional sports league in North America made up of 30 teams that compete in the American League and the National League. In 2023, just over ** percent of players within the league were Hispanic or Latino.

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Batter Performance Metrics Dataset

This dataset focuses on a wide range of sabermetric metrics for analyzing batter performance in baseball. It provides a comprehensive view of a player's abilities in power, plate discipline, speed, and overall efficiency.

NOTE that only qualified players are included in this data, meaning that players who reach the minimum number of plate appearances are required to qualify for season-long leaderboards and rate stats. The data was retrieved on October 18th, 2024.

• AB (At-Bats): The total number of times a batter has a turn at the plate, excluding walks and sacrifices.

• PA (Plate Appearances): The total number of times a batter completes a turn at the plate, including all outcomes.

• Home Run: The number of times the batter hits the ball out of the field, allowing them to round all bases and score.

• K% (Strikeout Percentage): The percentage of plate appearances that result in a strikeout.

• BB% (Walk Percentage): The percentage of plate appearances that result in the batter receiving a walk.

• SLG% (Slugging Percentage): A measure of the batter's power, calculated as total bases per at-bat.

• OBP (On-Base Percentage): The percentage of times the batter reaches base via hits, walks, or hit-by-pitch events.

• OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging): The sum of OBP and SLG, providing a combined measure of a batter's ability to get on base and hit for power.

• Isolated Power (ISO): A measure of a batter's raw power, calculated by subtracting batting average from slugging percentage to focus on extra-base hits.

• BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play): The batting average on balls hit into play, excluding home runs and strikeouts.

• Total Stolen Bases: The total number of bases a player has stolen successfully.

• xwOBA (Expected Weighted On-Base Average): A predictive version of wOBA (Weighted On-base Average) based on the quality of contact, such as exit velocity and launch angle.

• wOBAdiff (wOBA Differential): The difference between a batter’s actual wOBA and expected wOBA (xwOBA), indicating performance versus expectations.

• Exit Velocity Avg (Average Exit Velocity): The average speed of the ball off the bat, providing insight into the quality of contact.

• Sweet Spot Percentage: The percentage of batted balls hit with a launch angle between 8 and 32 degrees, which typically leads to better offensive results.

• Barrel Batted Rate: The percentage of batted balls hit with ideal exit velocity and launch angle, maximizing chances for extra-base hits.

• Hard-Hit Percentage: The percentage of batted balls hit with an exit velocity of 95 mph or higher, reflecting the strength of contact.

• Average Hyper Speed: The batter's average sprint speed during short, high-intensity runs like reaching base.

• Whiff Percentage: The percentage of swings in which the batter misses the ball entirely.

• Swing Percentage: The percentage of pitches at which the batter swings, regardless of whether they make contact.

• HP to 1B (Home Plate to First Base Speed): The time it takes for a batter to sprint from home plate to first base after hitting the ball.

• Sprint Speed: The player’s top running speed, usually measured during base running or fielding.

• WAR (Wins Above Replacement): measures a player's value in all facets of the game by deciphering how many more wins he's worth than a replacement-level player at his same position.

This dataset is designed to simplify the process of analyzing batter performance using advanced sabermetric principles, providing key insights into offensive effectiveness and expected outcomes.

Data Usage and License

The dataset was retrieved from the respective sources listed in the Provenance section. Users are urged to use this data responsibly and to respect the rights and guidelines specified by the original data providers. When utilizing or sharing insights derived from this dataset, ensure proper attribution to the sources.

In 2024, the number of people above the age of six years old that played baseball in the United States peaked at **** million. This represented an increase over the previous year's figure of **** million.

As one of the biggest sports leagues in America with TV viewers reaching into the millions, Major League Baseball can afford to pay its players handsomely. The average salary for a player in the MLB stood at 4.98 million U.S. dollars in 2024. This marks a twofold increase on the average salary in 2005. Highs and lows of MLB salaries While the stars of every MLB team take home millions every year, there is still a minimum player salary in place to ensure that all players are compensated for their efforts. The 2024 MLB minimum player salary was set at 740 thousand U.S. dollars, a significant increase on the minimum of 300 thousand U.S. dollars in 2003. The league’s top earners The highest earner in the MLB in 2024 was the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani. The three-time All-Star took home an annual base salary of 70 million U.S. dollars in the 2024 season. Due to their prominent role on the team, it is unsurprising that a majority of the top earners in the MLB were pitchers.  

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the highest earning baseball player in Major League Baseball in 2024. The Japanese pitcher and hitter earned an estimated 62 million U.S. dollars in on- and off-field earnings in that year.

Major League Baseball has a minimum player salary in place to ensure that its athletes are fairly compensated for the work they do. The MLB minimum salary in 2024 stood at 740 thousand U.S. dollars annually, representing a steady increase each year over the last 15 years. Money to be made in the MLB MLB players are known to receive generous yearly salaries, in addition to performance incentives, such as prizes for games won. The average player salary in 2024 was over six times higher than the minimum salary, at around five million U.S. dollars. This also represents almost double the average player salary from 2005, illustrating the rapid boom of money in baseball. MLB's biggest earners Certain positions in the MLB, such as first base or starting pitcher, are usually better paid due to the important roles they are considered to have in the game. The highest paid players in the MLB in the 2023 season include Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani and Texas Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer. In 2024, the New York Mets were the best-paid baseball team in the MLB, with an opening day payroll of 305.62 million U.S. dollars. The Oakland Athletics, on the other hand, were the most thrifty franchise, with an opening day payroll of just over 60 million U.S. dollars.

Baseball Bat Market Outlook

As per our latest research, the global baseball bat market size in 2024 is valued at USD 470 million, reflecting a steady growth trajectory driven by rising participation in baseball across multiple regions. The market is experiencing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% and is forecasted to reach USD 684 million by 2033. Growth in this sector is primarily attributed to increasing youth engagement, growing professional leagues, and innovations in bat materials and manufacturing techniques.

One of the principal drivers for the baseball bat market is the expanding popularity of baseball as both a recreational and professional sport. In North America, especially the United States, baseball holds a storied cultural significance, and the presence of major leagues like Major League Baseball (MLB) has spurred consistent demand for baseball equipment. The increasing visibility of baseball through digital media, international tournaments, and grassroots initiatives has encouraged more youth and adults to take up the sport. This surge in participation is directly translating into higher sales of baseball bats, particularly among younger demographics and amateur players. Moreover, the proliferation of baseball academies and training centers worldwide is further fueling the demand for high-quality bats suitable for various skill levels and age groups.

Technological advancements in bat manufacturing are also playing a pivotal role in market expansion. The adoption of innovative materials such as composite alloys and hybrid constructions has resulted in lighter, more durable, and performance-enhanced bats. Manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to meet the evolving preferences of players, focusing on weight distribution, grip comfort, and swing speed optimization. These innovations are attracting both professional and amateur players who seek a competitive edge, thus boosting the overall market. Additionally, the trend toward customization, where players can personalize bat specifications, is further driving product differentiation and market growth.

Another significant growth factor is the increasing penetration of e-commerce and digital retail channels. Online stores have made baseball bats more accessible to a global consumer base, breaking down geographical barriers and enabling players from emerging markets to purchase premium products. The convenience of online shopping, coupled with detailed product information, reviews, and competitive pricing, has shifted consumer preferences toward digital platforms. This shift is particularly evident among younger consumers who are accustomed to digital transactions and value the ease of comparing multiple brands and models. As a result, manufacturers and retailers are enhancing their online presence and leveraging digital marketing strategies to capture a broader audience.

From a regional perspective, North America continues to dominate the baseball bat market, accounting for a significant share of global revenue. However, there is notable growth in the Asia Pacific region, driven by rising interest in baseball in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. These countries have well-established domestic leagues and a strong culture of baseball, which is fostering increased demand for baseball equipment, including bats. Europe and Latin America are also emerging as potential markets, albeit at a slower pace, as baseball gains traction through grassroots initiatives and international collaborations. The Middle East & Africa region, while still nascent, is witnessing gradual growth due to increased sports investments and the introduction of baseball in school curriculums.

Product Type Analysis

The baseball bat market is segmented by product type into wooden bats, metal bats, composite bats, and hybrid bats. Wooden bats remain the traditional choice, especially in professional leagues like MLB, due to their authentic feel and performance character

American professional sports leagues are known for paying their players handsomely and Major League Baseball is no different. The highest earner in the MLB in 2024 was the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani. The three-time All-Star took home a base salary of 70 million U.S. dollars in the 2024 season. MLB salaries The MLB has both a minimum player salary and a competitive balance tax (also called Luxury Tax) in place to ensure the league remains competitive and that no single team can buy its way to victory. In 2024, the minimum player salary stood at 740 thousand U.S. dollars, a generous increase from the minimum salary of 500 thousand U.S. dollars ten years earlier. However, because of the astronomical earnings of some of the star players in the league, the average player salary across the MLB was 4.98 million U.S. dollars in 2024. If a team’s payroll exceeds a certain figure, they are forced to pay a luxury tax in order to discourage the largest teams from buying the best players in the league. In 2024, this payroll cap was 237 million U.S. dollars. MLB revenue on the up In 2024, teams of Major League Baseball generated around 378.13 million U.S. dollars on average in revenue per team. The New York Yankees sat top of the pile as the franchise generated revenue of 679 million U.S. dollars. On the other end of the scale, the Oakland Athletics had revenue of 241 million U.S. dollars in 2024.

Sports Analytics Market size was valued at USD 3.84 Billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 4.75 Billion in 2024 to USD 5.88 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 23.8% during the forecast period (2025-2032).

Discover Market Research Intellect's Fantasy Baseball Market Report, worth USD 1.5 billion in 2024 and projected to hit USD 3.2 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 9.5% between 2026 and 2033.Gain in-depth knowledge of emerging trends, growth drivers, and leading companies.

In the ******* school year, over *** thousand high schoolers in the United States played baseball. The sport was especially popular among boys, who made up ** percent of participants.

Baseball Gloves Market size was valued at USD 5.3 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.9 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2024 to 2031. The growing awareness of the majority of the population about fitness and health care is the primary factor driving the demand for baseball gloves in the market. The Global Baseball Gloves Market report provides a holistic evaluation of the market. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of key segments, trends, drivers, restraints, competitive landscape, and factors that are playing a substantial role in the market.

Global Fantasy Sports market size is expected to reach $58.5 billion by 2029 at 14.5%, segmented as by sports type, football, baseball, basket ball, hockey, cricket, other types

On the opening day of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, 108 players from the Dominican Republic featured in team rosters. In total, there were 264 international players on opening day rosters in 2024, a decrease of five from the previous season.

The opening day payroll of teams in the MLB is calculated by combining the base salary, incentives, and any signing bonuses. At the beginning of the 2024 season, the New York Mets had the highest combined payroll in the league, amounting to around 305.62 million U.S. dollars. At the other end of the scale, the Oakland Athletics had an opening day payroll of just over 60 million U.S. dollars.

Pitchers take home the money The MLB has a minimum player salary in place to ensure that its professionals are rewarded for the work that they do. In 2023, the minimum salary for an MLB player was 720 thousand U.S. dollars per year, a significant increase from the minimum of 490 thousand U.S. dollars ten years earlier. However, the average player salary in the league in 2023 stood at 4.9 million U.S. dollars, around seven times the value of the minimum salary. This figure is skewed by the fact that the top earners in baseball take home significant amounts of money. Typically, it is the pitchers within a baseball team that earn the biggest wages due to their integral role. Indeed, pitchers dominated the list of highest earning players in the MLB and the New York Mets' starting pitcher Max Scherzer topped the list. The eight-time MLB All-Star took home a salary of over 43 million U.S. dollars in 2023.

MLB Luxury Tax In order to avoid such wealth disparity amongst the teams, Major League Baseball implements a luxury tax (or competitive balance tax). This tax is paid by any teams whose annual payroll exceeds the league limit which, in 2023, stood at 233 million U.S. dollars.

According to a survey in 2024, the most popular pro baseball player in South Korea was star pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin. He was also the highest-paid player in the KBO league in 2024.

Pete Rose has played the most games in Major League Baseball history, taking to the field in 3,562 games between 1963 and 1986. Second in the ranking is Carl Yastrzemski, who played in 3,308 MLB games.

The MLB All-Star Game is an exhibition game between the best players from the American League (AL) and National League (NL), as selected by fans, managers, and players. Viewership of the 2024 All-Star Game on FOX was at 7.44 million viewers, an increase of six percent on the previous year.