In the past few weeks I have been working on putting together code to project "what if" scenarios using xStats. The first results of which you can find in Eno Saris' articles about Justin Bour and dejuicing the baseball. These both made use of the "what if the ball hadn't changed between 2015 and 2017?" what-if scenario. Which is interesting to talk about, but it isn't the only question I have to ask.
Read moreDexter Fowler’s Added Power
Dexter Fowler has not had a great start to the season after signing an $82.5 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. He's batting .230/.323/.446 with a .328 wOBA and a 0.8 WAR a third of a way through the year, a far cry from the level of excellence he established during his time with the Cubs in 2015 and 2016.
But fear not my friends. Fowler has had a sluggish start to the year, I believe he might be hitting the ball better than ever.
Read moreZack Godley And His Fastball Are For Real
In the past, we’ve seen many pitchers have success as starters after stints as relievers. David Price, Chris Sale, Matt Shoemaker, and Danny Duffy to name a few. We are currently seeing a player have ease with that same transition. Arizona Diamondbacks righty Zack Godley.
Not a pitcher that will blow hitters away, Godley’s bread and butter is the movement on his pitches. A dropping sinker, a curveball with a lot of 12-6 movement, a cutter with depth, and changeup make up his repertoire.
Read moreThe Struggles of Johnny Cueto
Recently, San Francisco Giants $130 million dollar man, Johnny Cueto, had been reported to have blisters on his pitching hand. This had explained his recent struggles, which had been highlighted by a poor performance against the Chicago Cubs Tuesday night.
Johnny Cueto has been no stranger to rough stretches too. After the Kansas City Royals had invested a lot in him during a World Series run by giving up three nice pitching prospects, he scuffled along the final months of the season, going 4-7 with a 4.76 ERA.
This didn’t scare away the San Francisco Giants though, as they gave him elite money during the 2015 offseason. Cueto was more than fine in 2016.
But 2017 has been a different story. The worries are back. Sure, it might be just a simple blister. Don’t tell Rich Hill that.
Read moreHow SunTrust Park May Impact Freddie Freeman
Yesterday The Hardball Times published my article about estimating the home run rate of SunTrust Park. You can read that article here. Today I will publish a snippet regarding Freddie Freeman which was left on the editing room floor.
You may be interested in reading another piece I wrote about Freeman on Rotographs, which sought to address a similar concern, albeit prior to finalizing the data for SunTrust Park. I recommend reading both of these articles prior to reading this one.
Read moreFrancisco Lindor is a Legit Power Threat
It isn’t a secret. Francisco Lindor is a phenomenal baseball player. Whether it’s making an amazing play at shortstop, generating great contact, or even drawing a walk, Francisco Lindor is drawing the attention of baseball fans.
Read morePlayer Deep Dives
Over the past few weeks I have written a number of articles covering a number of players I feel are misrepresented by xStats, and other projection systems, due to either small sample size issues or sudden and drastic changes in circumstance.
First Published 1/26/17
First Published 1/12/17
First Published 2/23/17
First Published 2/23/17