Bailey is awesome - Article about pitching stats at BtB

Couple of interesting facts about A's pitchers: Dana Eveland is actually in a group of pitchers that includes Halladay, King Felix and Cliff Lee; the stat is for the rate of pitches thrown in a specific zone, which is surprising because Eveland kinda sucks at throwing strikes.

Also, it's kind of clear that Bailey and Jon Broxton (LAD) are pretty much the two best relievers right now. Apparently, for every 100 pitches that Bailey throws, he allows 3.7 runs LESS than the average pitcher (around 6.5). In other words, Bailey is awesome.

5 months ago NateHST 10 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Kiko

How did I not realize that Calero is pitching for the Marlins now? And that hitters swing and miss on 36.5% of his pitches!?!

Actually, can someone tell me if whiff rate is swinging strikes divided by pitches swung at, or is it swinging strikes divided by number of pitches thrown (which is what I suggested with my comment above).

by colin on May 13, 2009 2:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

pitches swung at

With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery

by mikeA on May 13, 2009 5:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was reading that earlier.

Verlander is amazing this year as a starter. I guess with 100mph heat it was just a matter of time.

"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra

by Ovale Fan on May 14, 2009 4:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So far, Verlander is doing well

But you should probably get over the notion that throwing 100mph is a great thing.

Here’s something that will help. Complete this sentence:

“The great starting pitchers over the past 5 years who regularly hit 100 in games are _________”

Having a great fastball is vital to being a great pitcher. But throwing 100 is really only useful to a reliever, and even then it’s not critical.

I think Rich Harden proves the point – he can, and has, hit 100 on the gun. But the heater is not his best pitch, and his health history speaks for itself.

Command the fastball with good velocity (92 will do) and have two good offspeed pitches, and you can be a major league starter. If you can’t do that, you probably can’t be a starter, even if you throw 110.

Do you know the way to San Jose?

by eastcoasta'sfan on May 15, 2009 5:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Harden's change was his best pitch

Because he can’t strictly throw change-ups. Really nobody except knuckleballers can live exclusively off of one pitch—sinkerballers and guys like Mariano and his cutter aside, since those are variations of a fastball. Verlander’s success doesn’t only come from a 100 mph fastball, but it certainly helps that he has that and a couple other really good offspeed pitches and good command.

by NateHST on May 15, 2009 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rich Harden

oh wait..

"It's like déjà vu all over again." -yogi berra

by Cheezombie on May 15, 2009 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a very fair statement

Here’s something that will help. Complete this sentence:

"The great starting pitchers over the past 5 years who regularly hit 100 in games are _________"

Name 5 pitchers period that hit 100mph. Verlander, Broxton then who? Saying that having good velocity on a fastball does not help is simply inaccurate.

"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra

by Ovale Fan on May 16, 2009 7:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Meant to say "Name 5 pitchers period that hit 100mph regularly"

Harden may have hit 100mph a few times in his career but is much more of a 94-96 guy like Oswalt. I guess my point was more the fact Verlander has ridiculous stuff and last year was a disappointing year for him.

"-i never said half the things i said." --Yogi Berra

by Ovale Fan on May 16, 2009 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs