MLB finally admits changes to ball itself fueled home run spike, but doesn't say how or why

[ProfessorGAC]

5. One More Add

I agree with everything you wrote and wanted to add that the stigma of "striking out too much" is pretty much gone.

In this analytics age, an out is an out. (Other than official sacrifices.) So, a guy who can hit 40 HRs but strikes out 160 times isn't headed back to the minors.

40 years ago, they would have worried about that many Ks but since the teams don't care as much, the players sure don't. And, hitting it out means BIG $$$. So, if you swing hard and upward and hit the long ball 30 or 40 or 50 times, but strike out 180 times, you're still going to get paid. $18 million or more for 5 to 8 years.

The motivation to not go for the fences barely exists.