The Royal Rooters: Stat O' the Day - Hardest American League Pitchers to Hit

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Stat O' the Day - Hardest American League Pitchers to Hit

17 comments:

Anonymous said...: NY Daily News- Yankees may give up on Johan Santana
[quote]
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/01/10/2008-01-10_yankees_may_give_up_on_johan_santana-2.html

But while stressing there is "absolutely nothing new" in terms of recent trade discussions with the Twins, Hank is beginning to sound convinced - if not nearly ready - to walk away from any potential blockbuster deal for Johan Santana.

"We went into this with me making the final baseball decisions and Hal more addressing the financial aspects of the company, but we both do everything," Steinbrenner said yesterday in a phone interview. "We're equal partners, but at this point, to tell you the truth, I'm leaning away from it anyway, so it doesn't matter. Same thing with Brian, he's another integral part of it, obviously, being the general manager, and one day he's leaning to do it and the next day he's not sure.

"I don't know what he'd even want, or what they'd settle for. I don't know. We obviously haven't talked to him or his agent, so I have no idea," Steinbrenner said. "But a six- or seven-year extension, no, I wouldn't do that."

I'm growing more and more comfortable with what we have, and the veteran players I've talked to seem to be pretty comfortable with what we have. But we'll see what happens," said Steinbrenner, who reiterated that the plan is to shift Joba Chamberlain into the starting rotation. "I'm hoping we'll be set to go (to spring training).

"The big thing, as far as questions, is the bullpen and we'll see how that shakes out, but at this point, I want Chamberlain as a starter and not using someone of his ability in a setup role. We did that last year, but that was different. He was a rookie. But you don't do that.

"Setup guys are important, extremely important, but you have a guy of that ability, who our baseball people think either can be a top starting pitcher or a top closer. It's going to be up to Brian to plug that hole in the bullpen, if there is one, if we're not going to get Santana." [/quote]

There you have it Santana will be a Met. As Yankee Fan I'm happy as long He doesn't go to Boston; 6:24 AM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: i love neshek but i had thought he was getting knocked around from overuse by the end of the year; 9:50 AM, January 10, 2008
Dave said...: I love that there are 4 Red Sox players on this list and 0 Yankees. It's great to see the Sox change their approach from a offensive oriented team, to a team focused on solid pitching and good team defense. I am really excited to see how Dice K does his second season. He showed a lot of heart and a real competitive spirit during his rookie season. Not to mention 15 wins was impressive for a "rookie". With this team staying assembled, and the younger guys having another year of experience,this team is setup for a dynasty type run.; 10:15 AM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: i'm not sure how many wins dicd-k might have managed without that great offense behind him. i wouldn't be counting my chickens with him just yet.; 10:27 AM, January 10, 2008
Dave said...: Dice K got less run support this season then Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield. I think Dice K will be a dominant pitcher when stops trying to nibble the corners. He needs to set-up his offspeed stuff with some early fastballs. Plus, he won't have the distraction of playing in a new league for the first time and the constant scrutiny from the American and Japanesse media. I expect big things this season.; 10:33 AM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: part of the "distraction" of playing in a new league is that you have a substantial advantage over hitters who haven't faced you before.
that advantage is gone now. i'm sure you know what his ERA was like at the end of the season. some of that was no doubt due to fatigue, but the other part is the league adjusting to him.; 10:44 AM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: it's a shame phil hughes only pitched 72 innings. he had a .235 BAA; 10:49 AM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: oh yeah, and joba with his .145 ( only 24 innings dang! ); 11:50 AM, January 10, 2008
Royal Rooters said...: Michael, If I set the limits lower, Buchholz would have ranked among the relievers which I didn't think was fair.

And I really don't understand the argument that Daisuke won't be as good because pitchers will be more familiar. Hughes, Chamberlain and Kennedy were all pitching in new leagues too last year. Does that mean they won't do as good because the hitters will be more familiar with them, or do you only say that about Japanese pitchers?; 4:59 PM, January 10, 2008
Royal Rooters said...: *because the hitters will be more familiar with him; 5:03 PM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: well as you know historically japanese pitchers have not done very well in the mlb.

it is another well accepted fact that pitchers do have an advantage over hitters that dissipates somewhat after hitters have seen them a few times.

comparing him to hughes joba IPK or buchholz for that matter isn't really fair because they are very young guys...new to the game of baseball whereas matzuzaka is an established player ( star even); 5:07 PM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: i knew what you meant

:); 5:07 PM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: PS

i wasn't really suggesting that you lower the limits you set. after all buchholz only pitched 7.2 innings in relief if i have my figures right.

and i just couldn't help noting the delcarmen discrepancy

all in good fun i hope you know; 5:14 PM, January 10, 2008
Royal Rooters said...: "It is another well accepted fact that pitchers do have an advantage over hitters that dissipates somewhat after hitters have seen them a few times."

All I was saying is that if you believe that about Daisuke, you have to apply it to Hughes, Chamberlain and IPK.; 5:25 PM, January 10, 2008
Royal Rooters said...: Oh, you're right. That should read min. 40 IP.; 5:26 PM, January 10, 2008
Michael said...: i believe it to be generally true about all pitchers vs hitters over time but i was talking about the latter part of matzuzaka's season last year and how his ERA went up (probably) due to fatigue and the league adjusting to him.

i'm not trying to say that my guys are better than your guys or that dice-k won't have a good season next year.; 5:34 PM, January 10, 2008
Royal Rooters said...: If you look at the stats, it mostly appears to be fatigue. He had an ERA of 3.88 going into September. The hitters didn't seem to be getting any more familiar with him as he posted his second best BAA in August (.224) when 5 of his 6 starts were against teams which he already faced multiple times.

And while I think hitters will become more familiar with him, I'm not sure how much it will help. He throws 6 pitches and it seems as if he varies the combination of those pitches which he relies on every start.

I think familiarity is a much larger factor against pitchers like Beckett in 2006, who rely on the same one or two pitches heavily.; 5:48 PM, January 10, 2008