What is the DK SwingTracker?
The Diamond Kinetics SwingTracker captures swing metrics like bat speed. It's part of every level of MLBU BASE, including Core, Premium, and Prospect. The DK bat sensor attaches to the knob of the bat and pairs with the DK app on a phone. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes routine.
Why is the swing part of every MLBU BASE evaluation?
A bat sensor captures metrics, like bat speed, that help a player establish their identity as a hitter and spot opportunities for growth.
What does bat speed tell me?
Bat speed has a strong correlation with hitting the ball hard and hitting it far. That makes it a useful guide for what kind of approach fits a hitter right now:
Above-average bat speed: the approach can lean toward doing damage in the air.
Average bat speed: the focus may be more on line drives and fewer fly balls. As bat speed ticks up, that's a signal it may be time to adjust and try to drive the ball in the air more.
Are swings in MLBU BASE the same as game swings?
No. Game swings are shaped by pitch type, location, count, and approach. MLBU BASE captures swings in the cage, where players can take their best swings without the pressure of competition.
That's by design. The swings captured during MLBU BASE should be A-swings. In golf terms, think of it as the driver: the hitter's full-power swing. In a game, a situation may call for a 7 iron or a pitching wedge, a swing with a little less power and more control. Bat speed from MLBU BASE shows the potential of a player's A-swing, not how every swing plays in a game.
How do I read my bat speed results in Stacks?
Stacks shows a percentile for bat speed. Percentiles help athletes see where they stand out, where they're average, and where their training time will make the biggest difference. They're a guide for what to work on next, not a grade.
Is more bat speed always better?
Not always. Adding bat speed has real benefits, but one size doesn't fit all, especially for young players. It's important to understand the trade-offs. More bat speed may be right for a player, or it may not.
For every big leaguer in the 97th percentile for bat speed, there's another in the 3rd percentile. Players like Steven Kwan, Luis Arraez, Chandler Simpson, and Ernie Clement have bottom 5 percentile bat speed and still contribute at or near the top of the order for playoff teams. Hitters with lower bat speed often succeed by mixing in their B, C, and D swings when the situation calls for it.
What if my bat speed is below average?
A red or yellow percentile doesn't mean "bad." Every player has strengths and areas to grow. A lower bat speed percentile helps shape the right approach for a hitter today, and gives a baseline to track as they develop. Talk with your coach or instructor about what kind of hitter you want to be and how bat speed fits into your plan.
View your bat speed results
Log in to Stacks to see your bat speed and percentile.
Want to learn more?
Read the full breakdown from Team 1845: BASE: Measuring Bat Speed with the DK SwingTracker
Follow along on Instagram at @est1845official.