Mets' Bo Bichette embraces old-school batting approach

The third baseman bucks modern analytics trends by focusing on batting average over power metrics.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 12:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In an era dominated by advanced analytics and power hitting, Mets third baseman Bo Bichette is taking an old-school approach to hitting. The 24-year-old, whose career batting average of .294 ranks fifth among active players, says he prioritizes being a "tough out" over optimizing for specific statistical outputs.

Why it matters

Bichette's vintage hitting style stands out in a game that has become increasingly reliant on launch angle, exit velocity, and other sabermetric measures. His commitment to batting average over power metrics reflects a philosophical difference in how some players approach hitting in the modern game.

The details

Bichette, the son of former MLB player Dante Bichette, says he was instilled with a focus on batting average from a young age and has never wavered from that approach. He believes in being a "tough out" who can handle any type of pitch or pitcher, rather than prioritizing areas where pitchers can get him out.

  • Bichette spoke about his hitting approach this week while the Mets were training in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The players

Bo Bichette

The 24-year-old third baseman for the New York Mets, whose career .294 batting average ranks fifth among active MLB players.

Dante Bichette

Bo Bichette's father, who was a former major league baseball player.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I don't enjoy going up to the plate and knowing there are areas in which the pitcher can get me out. Like any player, I go through stretches where I give them easier outs than normal, but the player I aspire to be is a tough out no matter what and somebody who can handle any type of pitch, any pitcher.”

— Bo Bichette

The takeaway

Bichette's commitment to an old-school batting approach in a modern, analytics-driven game reflects a philosophical difference in how some players view success at the plate. His focus on being a "tough out" over optimizing for specific statistical outputs could inspire a renewed appreciation for the art of hitting for average in baseball.