Pitcher Strike Zone discipline:

[UK1679666180]

This is a very good article from a great site at baseballanalysts.com. I just added specialized Cubs comments.

 

http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2006/03/pitchers_pitch_1.php

 

Pitches within the strike zone:

 

Not surprising Maddux was in the top 5 as far as pitches within the strike zone compared to pitches out of the zone.

 

Dempster ranked 5th worst and Wuertz ranked last, it might be a concern as far as Dempster if hitters weren't as aggressive late in the ballgame, he might be able capitalize on the overaggressive nature of a hitter in a pressure situation.

 

Wuertz, Baker's likely usage patterson will consist of early relief and a situational RH'er so having Wuertz consistently use the slider won't hurt as much as always is outside of the strike zone.

 

Getting hitters to swing and miss on pitches out of the zone:

 

Rusch ranks 2nd to last as far as getting hitters to swing and miss on pitches outside of the strike zone, he is typically always around the plate and has more of a change of speed type of deception rather than sharp break.

 

Wuertz enters the list again at 4th best in baseball as far as getting hitters to swing and miss at pitches outside of the zone, this has to do with his best pitch, his slider. That pitch is most effective out of the zone and he throws it well.

 

Batter's contact when he swings:

 

Kerry Wood is #1 in the majors for starters at making batters swing and miss. As everyone knows, he has great velocity, great movement, and great deception.

 

Wuertz makes the list for relievers as only 60% of the batter's swings make contact with the pitch, once again his slider is very difficult to hit and make contact with.

 

Percent of pitches fouled off:

 

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

Scott Eyre also makes an appearence, which is valauble for a reliever as well especially getting the batter to 2 strikes and being able to finish him off.

 

Both Prior and Eyre made the top 10 overall lists.

[Magnetic Curses]

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

i get the idea that the book on prior is to actually attempt to foul pitches off. it just seems like hitters, when they get behind in the count against him, just try to foul pitches off until he walks them or serves up something somewhat hittable.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

i get the idea that the book on prior is to actually attempt to foul pitches off. it just seems like hitters, when they get behind in the count against him, just try to foul pitches off until he walks them or serves up something somewhat hittable.

 

How is that different from any other pitcher?

[Magnetic Curses]

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

i get the idea that the book on prior is to actually attempt to foul pitches off. it just seems like hitters, when they get behind in the count against him, just try to foul pitches off until he walks them or serves up something somewhat hittable.

 

How is that different from any other pitcher?

 

i don't know.

[Jehrico]

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

i get the idea that the book on prior is to actually attempt to foul pitches off. it just seems like hitters, when they get behind in the count against him, just try to foul pitches off until he walks them or serves up something somewhat hittable.

 

How is that different from any other pitcher?

 

I think hitters are a lot more tentative, and just try to make contact earlier in the count. They're probably swinging more to drive the ball against guys like Rusch.

[RyCubsFan]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for posting it, UK.

 

The numbers show how good Michael Wuertz has become. Very impressive for Wuertz to be on some of those lists. For instance, he's the 3rd best reliever in all of baseball at getting hitters to miss when they swing at the pitch -- behind only Saenez and Brad Lidge, right ahead of Mantei and Nathan. He's right in the middle of some of the best closers in the game. That's impressive!

 

I have some hesitations about Eyre and Howry, but Williamson and Wuertz could be dominant set up guys for the Cubs this year (if they're not traded). They miss a lot of bats. Cubs could have a great bullpen for once.

[CuseCubFan69]

Mark Prior (not a shocker) is #1 as over 20% of the time when a batter makes contact it is a foul ball, which gets the batter behind in the count and also runs up the pitch count in a hurry.

 

i get the idea that the book on prior is to actually attempt to foul pitches off. it just seems like hitters, when they get behind in the count against him, just try to foul pitches off until he walks them or serves up something somewhat hittable.

 

How is that different from any other pitcher?

 

I look at what Sully wrote as Prior has flat pitches and you can foul them off easier than someone with more movement like Wood. Sooner or later he has to inch away from the spot he is throwing to and that's when hitters jump on Priors pitches.

[Jehrico]

I have some hesitations about Eyre and Howry, but Williamson and Wuertz could be dominant set up guys for the Cubs this year (if they're not traded). They miss a lot of bats. Cubs could have a great bullpen for once.

 

I'm suprised that the article validates how good Wuertz is to you, but you still have reservations about Eyre, since he was listed as the 7th best reliever in baseball in the combined category at the end.