Unlucky pitchers and other strange stats
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 11, 2007 
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Unearned runs
Pettitte 5
Proctor 4
Rasner 3
Five with 1
Weird stats
Derek Jeter has six stolen bases and been caught five times. He was caught five times all last season.
Jorge Posada has 21 doubles. He had 27 all last season.
Robinson Cano has walked only 45 times in 1,304 plate appearances.
Alex Rodriguez has a 2.147 OPS in the ninth inning. He is 9 of 18 with six homers, a double, 16 RBI and 0 strikeouts in the 9th.
Cano has to cut down on his swing like Bobby has and hit the other way.
Those A-Rod 9th Inning stats are RIDICULOUS. I really hope that doesn’t average out now and he’s awful in the 9th inning for a stretch because then everyone is going to start booing and being retards. Stupid what have you done for me lately crap
Heres a strange stat.
Yankees are 30-31 on June 11th.
Global Warming,
Was to being positive or negative I can’t tell.
What happend to the A-Rod isnt ‘clutch’ stuff????
That talk suddenly got real quiet.
Those guys moved onto the anti-Farnsworth bandwagon.
Marc,
A little of both.
Jake, the “A-Rod isn’t clutch” coalition of the willing be will have their bibs on in October. You can bet the house on that.
Rasner qualifies as an “unlucky pitcher” for an entirely different reason.
Global,
I think if the Yankees make the playoffs this year, Arod will be a huge factor in us getting there and unless he bats under 200 in the post season, he will get a pass.
I think the Yankees will win two out of three against AZ. That would leave them at 32-32, which would be exactly double the last time they .500 at 16-16. By the way, record by month:
Apr: 9-14
May: 13-15
June: 8-2
Gotta love that trend.
More importantly, I heard Joba got promoted to double A. I didn’t hear if anyone got promoted or demoted from AA. Can someone give a list of the starting pitchers at each level now?
Marc, that’s wishful thinking. ARod has been a huge part of our getting to the playoffs every year. In 2005 we made up a big deficit, ARod won the MVP, and he still got bashed because of his lousy ALDS. His heroics seem unforgettable today, but forgotten is just what they will be if he has another bad playoffs.
And to think Pettitte’s unearned runs don’t include the misplay by Melky on what turned out to be a 2-run inside the park home run on Friday night.
Jermey,
In 2005 and other years other guys were hitting, like Sheff, Giambi, and matsui.
This year Arod is lieraly carrying the team.
“Robinson Cano has walked only 45 times in 1,304 plate appearances.”
Not that weird of a stat when you see the crap he swings at. Someone really needs to teach him some plate discipline. He’s a great hitter, but he’d be twice the player he is if he could develop an eye like Abreu or Giambi.
Jake,
I was one of those ARod isn’t clutch people. But this year he IS clutch, unlike last season, when he was horrible to watch. But that’s all we fans ever wanted from him, right? Clutch hitting? This year he’s made a huge turnaround. So there is no reason to complain. Even his fielding is good this year. But last season I wanted to throw a shoe at my TV watching him whiff weakly when we needed the big hit. I don’t know what he did to change, but it sure worked!
Pete-
Any news on the Saturday pitcher vs. the Mets?
Is it going to be Clippard – or is Igawa back (14 ip/18 k/4 er last 2 AAA starts) or is it someone else?
Cano has been walking more recently. I hope he learns to change his plate approach or he might become a strikeout machine like Soriano.
Re: Clippard
Joe Torre said that he “pitched better than his numbers” so I don’t see them bringing up the $46M Igawa unless Clip starts pitching like DeSalvo (i.e. scared to throw strikes)
I didn’t get to see the game but a lot of people on the blog were claiming Clippard was getting squeezed by the plate umpire – for what its worth.
Soriano was a strikeout machine as soon he came up. Cano, his first two years, even though he didn’t walk much, didn’t have near the amount of stirkeouts as Soriano. Just because he doesn’t walk doesn’t mean he will stirke out a lot.
Jake,
I disagree. ARod had the “un-clutch” rep even after he won the MVP, it wasn’t just last year.
It’s completely ridiculous. I’m chalking up the so called “playoff struggles” to small sample size. If he stays with this team, he’ll have plenty of opportunities to change that.
Jordan
I’m carrying this over from the other thread. K rates don’t matter. My analysis wasn’t dumb:
Wrong, Jordan
Curtis Granderson led the AL in Ks last year. He’s not very good yet. But:
Sexson-SEA 154 OPS+ 120
Sizemore-CLE 153 OPS+ 135
Peralta-CLE 152 BAD
Swisher-OAK 152 OPS+ 126
Thome-CHW 147 OPS+ 156
Rodriguez-NYY 139 OPS+ 140
Glaus-TOR 134 OPS+ 119
Cuddyer-MIN 130 OPS+ 124
Inge-DET 128 AVERAGE
Teixeira-TEX 128 OPS+ 123
Here’s the list of leaders in AB per K
Polanco-DET 20.3 OPS+ 81
Vidro-SEA 14.1 OPS+ 93
Cabrera-LAA 13.8 OPS+ 95
Castillo-MIN 13.3 OPS+ 91
Kotchman-LAA 12.4 OPS+ 13
Betancourt-SEA 12.1 OPS+ 88
Pierzynski-CHW 11.7 OPS+ 95
Suzuki-SEA 11.4 OPS+ 109
Lowell-BOS 11.3 OPS+ 106
Stewart-OAK 11.0 OPS+ 88
I always liked A-Rod and thought he got a real raw deal from the crowd, for the most part. But last year, I stopped discussing it with my husband, because it truly seemed like he NEVER, or almost never, got a big hit when it counted. Yet, at the end of the year, he had these pretty good (well, great) numbers. With the exception of batting average, which was below .300. I am so glad that things have turned around so much this year.
You know, once the season was over (last year), you heard all these people who don’t live in NY, and don’t follow the Yankees day-to-day, saying that NY fans were crazy — how can you “boo” a guy with all those HR’s and RBI’s? But they did’t know. They didn’t see. Even I, an A-Rod supporter, started to expect the DP to end the inning. He didn’t even get sac flies last year. Listening to the media outside of NY, I think most of us were thinking — are we crazy??????? But we weren’t, and the proof is this year, where A-Rod is doing everything he should do. I only hope people don’t over-expect. No human being can come through 100% of the time.
How can A-Rod be considered clutch? He’s not even going to win MVP this year! If he can’t beat out a long-hair from Detroit, how dare we consider him a true Yankee?
If you booed A-Rod last year, yes you were crazy.
people forget A-Rod was in the playoffs before NY, almost as easy as they forget his first playoff year WITH the Yankees. His last 2 years (grand total of 9 games), he sucked in the playoffs, no doubt. But look at the total picture and maybe you can remember that he’s the best player in baseball and he IS capable of hitting in the post-season. He has done it before and will do it again. His overall numbers for the post-season are far better than the last 2 Octobers. Not great by any means, but take out those last 2 series and they would pretty damn good.
Cano will walk more as he matures and becomes a “student of the game” as the hacky analysts say. Truth be told I don’t really care if he walks once every 7 games as long as his average is high and he produces. Thing is his average is at .269
SMALL SAMPLE SIZE ALERT!!!!
18 AB means nothing. A-Rod isn’t clutch, he’s just a great hitter and great hitters will eventually come through in “clutch” situations.
David — NO, I did not boo A-Rod last year. I was one of the few who did not. I do not boo players who work hard. I was speaking in the general sense — you know outside of NY there is no distinction between those who booed and those who did not.
I think people tend to overemphasize A-Rod in the scheme of the Yankee offense. Yes, from time-to-time A-Rod will have huge offensive days (like he did yesterday), but if you’re counting on A-Rod to completely carry the offense for 162 games, then there’s no way you’ll end up with even a half-decent record by the end of the season. Rather, it’s much more important that the other key hitters in the lineup start hitting and keep hitting around A-Rod…Which is why it’s been so encouraging to see Abreu and Matsui start to show flashes of their old form lately. If the Yanks can get (and keep) 3 or 4 guys hitting consistently well for a good stretch of games, then they can really go places.
Hopefully the bats will stay hot against Arizona. Ever since the ’01 Series I hate the D-Backs!!!
For those listening to WFAN and M&TMD, Gene “Stick” Michaels was just on. Gave the impression that he still wants to be GM and that he isn’t being used much by the Yankees Front Office.
That’s really too bad considering hes smarter than everyone in the Yankee F.O combined.
Bring back the Stick!
I say bring back Bob Watson as GM…Those were the days!!! (Yes, I know that’s not realistic, but it would be nice!!!)
Oh boy now Zimmer is on.
I miss those times! Boy am I a sap for nostalgia of those 90 teams.
I thought the Stick chose to reliquish that role himself?
He’s responsible for Jeter, Mo’, Andy, Bernie, Jorge, is he not?
Stick missed his window. Hes too old to get a GM job now. He should be happy where he is. He got paid a ton of dough the past decade here. No one put a gun to his head and told him not to take a GM job.
Why cant A-Rod carry the team for 162 games?
What has Pujols and Vlad done the past few yrs??
And A Rod has just as much and maybe mroe talent than those 2 guys. And hes got better hitters around him.
I dont see this as a “streak”. Hes just utterly locked in and focused. Hes enjoying this.
“Stick missed his window. Hes too old to get a GM job now. He should be happy where he is. He got paid a ton of dough the past decade here. No one put a gun to his head and told him not to take a GM job.”
You don’t know what your talking about.
The Red Sox wanted him as their GM in 2001 and 2002 but the Yankees did not grant Gene permission.
If Cashman had anything that resembled a brain in his head he would talk to this man daily despite his age. Gene “Stick” Michaels is under contract by the Yankees and they don’t even use him much as said by himself in that interview!
That is abominable, uutrageous, lewd…
Preposterous!!!
Gene Michael (no s) and he was a toughnosed ss, to boot!
Doreen in response to your 5 pm post — I live in NY and watched all the games, and no doubt Alex had an awful year last year, over all and in the ninth/late/close innings. But that was the abnormality in his career. He has been playing for over 12 years, look at his late inning stats over all and compare them to the mess that was 2006.
The people outside of New York had it right. And yes David, anyone that booed AROD last year was indeed crazy.
Oh, and Jake, that clutch mess from 05 was to justify giving Ortiz the MVP over AROD, compare their stats for that year – late inning and over all and be prepared to feel incredibly foolish.
TKinDC
I saw yesterday’s game and Clip got hosed several times by the umps. In the second inning, he had two guys struck out on perfect pitches on the corner and the strikes werent called and he ended up walking both batters and they ended up scoring. At that point he began nibbling the rest of the game and I believe he was negatively affected by those calls.
Essex -
They had it right in the broad scope of things, but for last year, the numbers he ended up with did not tell the entire story. It is true that late in games, A-Rod often came up short last year, or at least that was the perception.
Reasonably speaking, though, there’s no way A-Rod could have hit all the HRs he did, and have all the RBI he did without having an impact on the outcome of games. Not only that, but it seemed to me that people discounted the early runs he batted in/scored, as if only runs produced in the 8th and 9th innings have any import. They are usually the most dramatic, however.
No matter what A-Rod does, someone will look to criticize him for it. Whether he hits most of his HR’s when the Yankees are up 3+ runs, or down 3+ runs; it’s just a losing battle.
If A-Rod opts out of his contract, I can’t blame him (unless he goes to another AL East team), because he is targeted in New York like no other. I feel bad for the guy, but hope he can stick it out in New York and win a championship.
Jeff NJ
Yes Joba Chamberlain was promoted to Trenton on Monday.No roster change was announced.
Trenton Rotation
Kennedy
Chamberlain
Horne
Smith
Marquez
Jones
Scranton
Wright
Hernandez
Jackson
White
Igawa
DeSalvo
My point Doreen, is that last year’s clutch nonperformance does not define his ability to come through in late and deciding situations.
I specifically mentioned his 9th inning and late inning performance for his career, not just his overall numbers. I can’t find the website that has his comparison’s and splits. They were everywhere over the winter.
As this has been my first opportunity to post today putting a bunch of topics here rather than spreading them out.
*Gene Michael* and his interview on the FAN. Those of you who are Shelley Duncan fans will be happy to know that he was singled out by Stick as a player to watch although he said he was nto sure what position he would play. I was not too happy about his Giambi comments in terms of he really likes it when he is in the lineup and feels the Yanks miss him. I on the other hand like the flexibility his absence brings in terms of not relying on the HR and like that he is not clogging the DH spot. I dont think he is happy with what the Ynaks have him doing but then again he seems much more involved then when he was a few years ago.
*Don Mattingly* was great on the show as well he realy was able to break down Abreau in terms of the changes he has made in the past few weeks. He said the most important thing he has learned from Joe is that it is a 162 game season
*The Sporanos* for me was a total copout not because we didnt get the ending we all wanted wrapped up in a neat package but because knowing that 5 different endings were shot you know they will be available on the DVD and by not closing everything up it is a money grab that enables Chase and Co to come back again and I felt that after investing already in the entire show that payback shoudl have been better
more strange stats:
nieves AVG (.132) + mientkiewicz AVG (.226) = posada’s AVG (.358)
kyle farnsworth has not entered a game in 2007 with a man on base. (but torre does seem to throw him out there in the 8th quite a bit?)
farnsworth has pitched in 27 games, and only had 3 1-2-3 innings!
mo has allowed 6 of 10 inherited runners to score (60%). only 83 of 262 have scored in his career (32%).
mo has allowed 3 HRs this season. hasn’t allowed more than 3 in a season for the past five seasons. and aside from ’95, never more than 5 in a season.
“kyle farnsworth has not entered a game in 2007 with a man on base. (but torre does seem to throw him out there in the 8th quite a bit?)”
I can understand why Torre doesn’t use him with runners on base, but I can’t understand why he still uses him in games that AREN’T blow outs. He has the ability to strike people out, which is good when you come in the game with runners on, but walks far too many people, so he can’t come in.
“mo has allowed 6 of 10 inherited runners to score (60%). only 83 of 262 have scored in his career (32%).”
I’m sure Torre knows those stats, yet he continues to use him in these situations. If he can bring Mo in, in the 8th inning with no one out, and a runner on first, why not bring him in when the 8th inning starts? I’ve never understood that.
Arod was booed in years past because he was not clutch plain and simple. It is possible to have a great year without being clutch or playing well in the playoffs.
Most yankee fans I know demand the clutch factor and post season success more than anything else. I tend to agree with them. Citing batting averages and home runs says absolutely nothing about one’s play when it counts most. Jeter virtually led the league last year in statistics such as RISP, VORP. He should have been the MVP purely on those stats.
This year, for THE FIRST TIME AS A YANKEE he is demonstrating clutch play. His Vorp is currently 39.4 behind only Magglio Ordonez. His ninth inning heroics have been legendary. His Risp stats are huge with an ops over one. With bases loaded he is batting 600. With Risp with two outs, over 400. These are the kinds of stats that endear a player to yankeed fans.
Yes, AROD was a productive player in years past but a horrible player in the clutch. Some might say he choked. You may like him or hate him, but batting average, Rbi, and homerun totals don’t necessarily reflect this most important meter of success. He must continue to succeed late in games and in playoffs to truly become a legendary player in New York. The playoffs await.
Let’s only play A-Rod in the 9th inning from now on….
prediction: 131-31 record.
So A-Rod is basically having the same year that David Ortiz had in 2004, when everyone was calling Ortiz the greatest hitter in the universe.
Bet nobody gives A-Rod an award for being the greatest clutch hitter of all time. Sheesh.
Thanks Eric, who is Hernandez on Scranton? I don’t recognize that name.
Runelvys Hernandez…formerly of RED SUX Pawtucket team.
Before that….pitched for K.C. Royals
Their are some stories out their that Scott Linebrink could be had. Doesn’t make sense they should be grooming him or holding him for the closers role, but would they do a deal for a cf like Aaron Rowand. Assuming we could get him for Viz Farns and Britton since the Phils need quantity as much as quality in the bullpen. Id just as soon shake up roles I think Bruney and Proctor with clearly defined roles as set up men (7th and 8th) would excel especially by not overusing Proctor anymore as well as brining Britton back then trade Farns and Viz for prospects. Which would also allow us to go with 12 pitchers again since Torre now needs 13 and is still overusing Proctor.
Linebrink is a good pitcher..I remember somewheres that I heard the Red Sux like him as well.
So getting him might kill two birds with one baseball!
Anyone have any input/info as to Why the Yankees played the Pirates again this yr?
They just played them in 2005 at home, and are playing the NL West clubs for the most part.
(Giants,Rockies,D-Backs).Where are the Dodgers?or Padres?
I thought when they started interleague play,they were going to rotate-NL East then NL West then NL Central.
And then lets say you play the Pirates in NY in 2005 (like they did),then you would play the Pirates in Pittsburgh in 2008!
i forget to mention the best reason to acquire him is you have to know what Torre will do. He would trust him unlike Bruney who despite all the evidence he has to make him a more trusted member of the pen and he doesn’t do it or proctor who deserves a clearly defined role so he knows when to prepare himself to pitch mentally. So if your Cashman you have to make his decisions for him and get Linebrink if you can.
The Padres are in 1st place right now and have one of the best teams in the NL.
Why on gods green earth would they trade on of the best middle relievers in baseball?
Pitching matchups: Brandon Webb (6-3, 3.13 ERA) vs. Wang (5-4, 3.73); tonight; Livan Hernandez (5-3, 3.66) vs. Mussina (2-3, 5.63) Wednesday; Doug Davis (4-7, 3.48) vs. Pettitte (3-4, 3.11) Thursday.
MLBtraderumors.com reports that Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times indicates that Scott Linebrink is named as an available Padre.
What does everyone not get?
Torre doesnt fully trust Bruney yet so this 8th inning talk heck even this 7th inning talk is pointless.
And Linebrink has been available, supposedly, for 4 years here.
Hey Global Warming,
The Yankees gave Stick a raise to keep his current job. What do you think he did? Signed an ironclad 15 yr deal to be a scout with no out clause? He just off a boat??? He had his chances to be a GM at other places. He chose not to go. That was his call. His window is closed.
Preposterous!