Fun with stats, 2008 edition

[TruffleShuffle]

As we arrive at the end of April, here are some interesting Cub-related and non-Cub-related stats.

 

 

Matt Kemp - who was probably dropped in 25% of fantasy leagues because he had a rough first week or two - is up to .318/.344/.489/.833 on the year now. He has a .413 BABIP, which would be a red flag if his LD% were not an absurd 30.8%. The highest BABIP in baseball belongs to Manny Ramirez (.423), while Jason Giambi is the lowest (.119!)

 

Two Cubs who have been seeing the ball well are Ryan Theriot (6th in the league in LD% at 28.2) and Geovany Soto (7th in the league, 27.7%). Felix Pie's LD% is a woeful 10.6%. Don't feel bad though, Felix - David Ortiz only has a 8.7 LD%, and a lovely .177 BABIP to go along with it.

 

For a guy who hits 30+ home runs every year, Albert Pujols is in a league by himself when it comes to striking out. Through 29 games, he has 30 walks and 7 strikeouts. Casey Kotchman has only struck out 5 times in 106 PAs.

 

Hanley Ramirez has homered on 30.7% of his fly balls, though he will be hard-pressed to top Ryan Howard's 38.3% figure in his MVP season.

 

Mephistophles' crush, Khalil Greene, has the lowest GB% in baseball - only 23.6%. Not a good thing for a guy who plays half his games in a cavernous home park.

 

Gary Matthews Jr. and Troy Tulowitzki have made more outs than anyone - 96.

 

For line drives against, three Padre pitchers rank among the four worst in baseball: Randy Wolf (30.7%), Chris Young (25.6%) and Greg Maddux (24.2%).

 

The highest DER (defense efficiency ratio) in baseball belongs to Ben Sheets, at .830 - meaning that 83% of the balls in play against him have been turned into outs. Ryan Dempster is next at .810. The worst DER belongs to Chad Billingsley (.632), followed by Tim Lincecum (.638). This makes Lincecum's strong start even more impressive.

 

The Devil Rays (I refuse to call them the Rays) have made quite a turnaround defensively. In 2007, their defensive efficiency was .662. This is bad. Like, really bad. In fact, it's the worst defensive efficiency on record, with BP's records of this statistic going back 49 years. This year, they stand at .730, which is the third-best figure in baseball.

 

Micah Owings has a major league OPS+ of 158. That's the same OPS+ as Hank Greenberg, Johnny Mize and Tris Speaker.

[weis21]

Serious question, would Owings be good enough to DH in the AL? At least part time?

[Post Count Padder]

Owings was a great hitter in college. Not really surprised at his success with the bat.

[chuckywang]

Still don't understand why Melvin hits him 9th.

[Warpticon]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

[UMFan83]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

 

Well he did just hit a PH 2 run game winning HR the other day.

[chuckywang]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

 

Well he did just hit a PH 2 run game winning HR the other day.

 

Yeah, but can he play a position?

[TruffleShuffle]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

 

Well he did just hit a PH 2 run game winning HR the other day.

 

Yeah, but can he play a position?

 

i'm guessing he played first base during his non-pitching days at georgia tech and tulane

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

 

Well he did just hit a PH 2 run game winning HR the other day.

 

Yeah, but can he play a position?

 

i'm guessing he played first base during his non-pitching days at georgia tech and tulane

 

Looks like his last year at Tulane he played 36 games at 1B, 19 at DH, and 5 in LF.

[Hosak8]

If I managed the D-backs, I would be trying to find a way to get him in the lineup on days he didn't pitch. He's just too good with the bat.

 

No, you wouldn't. He'd have no arm for two days, and if forced to make many throws, he'd be an absolute monster liability, not to mention a major injury risk on days he did pitch.

 

This kid is Rick Ankiel... except he can really pitch. Why did we not sign him?!?

 

Seriously, if he were in the AL, he'd hit for himself on several teams, and he might DH on days he didn't pitch.