Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc? Does Getting Hit by a Pitch Affect a Batter's Performance in the Subsequent At-Bat?

Abstract

In 2019, there were 2,429 games played in Major League Baseball in which 1,984 batters who were Hit by a Pitch (HBP). This paper explores the effect of being hit by a pitch on the outcome of the subsequent at bat for that hitter in the same game. Results suggest that while, on average, there is no difference in subsequent performance on being hit by a pitch, that for the most prolific homerun hitters, being hit by a pitch increases the likelihood of making an out at the expense of decreases in reaching base - homeruns, in particular.