Jackson Chourio Strikes Out More Than Ever. He’s Also Better Than Ever

Jackson Chourio didn’t make more contact in 2026. He struck out more than ever, 23.4% of the time, the highest rate of his career.

So how did he have his best season?

He started swinging harder and hitting it better.

Fast-swing rate is the share of a hitter’s swings with a bat speed of 75 mph or faster. Chourio’s went from 33.6% as a rookie to 39.9% in 2025 to 46.6% this year. That means close to half his swings are now fast swings.

The results showed up in his barrels. A barrel is Statcast’s term for the best possible contact, the exit velocity and launch angle combo that historically produces at least a .500 average and a 1.500 slugging percentage. His barrel rate climbed every year: 7.8% as a rookie, 9.7% in 2025, 12.3% in 2026. That’s a jump from the 50th percentile to the 81st.

His average exit velocity hit 91.6 mph, in the 88th percentile, and 47% of his batted balls were hit 95 mph or harder.

More swing-and-miss, way more damage. That’s the trade, and it got him 25 homers, a .291 average and a spot leading off in the World Series.

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