Most impressive pitcher thus far?

[Sportsforever]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

True, but I don't understand how we can discount fielding in a pitcher's stats but not in a hitter's. I just don't seem to understand the logic there. I don't think there should be that double standard.

I understand what your saying, but think about this: what if I had a batting practice pitcher throw pitches to you and Albert Pujols. Who's going to hit the ball harder more consistently? A hitter has control over HOW he hits the ball. A good hitter will have a high line drive %, etc.

If you study the numbers it shows you that pitchers batting average on balls in play doesn't remain steady (and regresses to the leage average) throughout their career while a hitter's BABIP DOES seem to show trends and not regress to the mean.

[elTodd]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

I understand what your saying, but think about this: what if I had a batting practice pitcher throw pitches to you and Albert Pujols. Who's going to hit the ball harder more consistently? A hitter has control over HOW he hits the ball. A good hitter will have a high line drive %, etc.

If you study the numbers it shows you that pitchers batting average on balls in play doesn't remain steady (and regresses to the leage average) throughout their career while a hitter's BABIP DOES seem to show trends and not regress to the mean.

If a batter has THAT much contorl over how he hits the ball, why wouldn't everyone hit a double in the gap or down the line every at bat?

I understand where you're coming from, but that doesn't explain the reasoning for discounting fielding in a pitcher's case but not a hitter's..

[snepp]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Batters hit to a wide array of defenses, over the long haul there isn't going to be much of any difference between the defenses faced by Batter A and Batter B.

Pitchers typically have the exact same defense behind them every single game, and the differences in quality between various defenses can be very dramatic.

That's basically why defense doesn't matter for evaluating hitters, while it's immensely important when evaluating pitchers.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Batters hit to a wide array of defenses, over the long haul there isn't going to be much of any difference between the defenses faced by Batter A and Batter B.

Pitchers typically have the exact same defense behind them every single game, and the differences in quality between various defenses can be very dramatic.

That's basically why defense doesn't matter for evaluating hitters, while it's immensely important when evaluating pitchers.

What he said.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Batters hit to a wide array of defenses, over the long haul there isn't going to be much of any difference between the defenses faced by Batter A and Batter B.

Pitchers typically have the exact same defense behind them every single game, and the differences in quality between various defenses can be very dramatic.

That's basically why defense doesn't matter for evaluating hitters, while it's immensely important when evaluating pitchers.

Man, you explained that way too clearly. Thanks...

[elTodd]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Batters hit to a wide array of defenses, over the long haul there isn't going to be much of any difference between the defenses faced by Batter A and Batter B.

Pitchers typically have the exact same defense behind them every single game, and the differences in quality between various defenses can be very dramatic.

That's basically why defense doesn't matter for evaluating hitters, while it's immensely important when evaluating pitchers.

Those are very good points. Glad someone could explain that.

Having said that, I still don't totally agree with the logic and reasoning. I've previously stated my opinion on the FIP stat, and that opinion carries over into this discussion.

[ZB9]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Cliff Lee's strikeout to walk ratio is insane. He is on pace to set the MLB record

and he was certainly impressive against the Angels tonight, only 99 pitches in 8 and 1/3rd, no walks...his most challenging inning was 17 pitches

[Chip Douglass]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

Cliff Lee's strikeout to walk ratio is insane. He is on pace to set the MLB record

and he was certainly impressive against the Angels tonight, only 99 pitches in 8 and 1/3rd, no walks...his most challenging inning was 17 pitches

If Cliff Lee strikes out 13 batters and walks one, his K/BB ratio goes down. He's also allowed more HRs (8) than walks (7). Insane to think about.

His K/BB ratio is something you expect to see in the first 1-2 weeks of the season when the sample sizes are extremely small. We're past the All-Star break and he's still hovering around a 14 K/BB ratio.

[Sportsforever]

Re: Most impressive pitcher thus far?

If Cliff Lee strikes out 13 batters and walks one, his K/BB ratio goes down. He's also allowed more HRs (8) than walks (7). Insane to think about.

His K/BB ratio is something you expect to see in the first 1-2 weeks of the season when the sample sizes are extremely small. We're past the All-Star break and he's still hovering around a 14 K/BB ratio.

I just checked and that would be the all-time best by a long way...Saberhagen in 1994 would be second with an 11:1 ration.