2010 Z-SwStrike% (Starting Pitchers)
20.3%: Jered Weaver, Angels
17.1%: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
17.0%: Josh Johnson, Marlins
16.4%: Cole Hamels, Phillies
15.7%: Roy Oswalt, Astros/Phillies
15.4%: David Price, Rays
15.3%: Shaun Marcum, Blue Jays (now Brewers)
15.0%: Clay Buchholz, Red Sox
14.7%: Ted Lilly, Cubs/Dodgers
14.5%: Max Scherzer, Tigers
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What is that, a gang sign? |
As if the Phillies fabulous rotation needed any more publicity, how about the fact that the supposed #3 and #4 starters on that team are actually in this Top 10 leaderboard, while Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are not. Is anyone else feeling 106 Wins for next year's Phillies. Is that too many to predict? Whatever it is, I think I'm going with the Over.
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Shaun Marcum may be better than we've ever feared. |
The Reds, Brewers, and Cardinals all look better than the Cubs. I'd actually rather have the Pirates' 40-man roster right now, than the Cubs. The Astros have problems and a lot of youthful exuberance, but they are not looking much better than the lovable losers from Wrigley Field.
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Where did it all go wrong, guys? |
Thank goodness they sell beer and have Kerry Wood again. Oh, and Carlos Marmol... Cub fans can still be excited about Carlos Marmol. Exhibit A is the next leaderboad:
2010 Z-SwStrike% (Minimum 30 IP)
25.8%: Carlos Marmol, Cubs
24.9%: Tyler Clippard, Nationals
24.2%: Ernesto Frieri, Padres
24.0%: Octavio Dotel, Pirates/Dodgers/Rockies/FA
24.0%: Matt Thornton, White Sox
22.7%: Micah Owings, Reds/FA
22.6%: Takashi Saito, Braves/FA
22.5%: Ryan Madson, Phillies
22.1%: Rafael Betancourt, Rockies
22.1%: Sergio Romo, Giants
I want to be in a rotisserie league where someone named Ernesto Frieri is relevant. It's as solid a name I've seen since Amaury Telemaco and Heathcliff Slocumb were around.
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Micah, sign with the Cubs. You can make a difference! |
Rafael Betancourt justified the first season of the big 4-year contract he got from the Rockies. I recall, at the time, I was one of the few who appreciated that move by the Rockies. It is still likely that during the 3rd or 4th year of the deal, it will be regrettable. Very few three and four-year deals to set-up relieves have been worthwhile for the teams cutting the checks.
As Ron Artest likes to say, big ups to a few guys who just missed out on the starting pitcher Top 10. Studs, Lincecum, Liriano, and Verlander were ranked 11th, 12th, and 13th, respectively. I was really surprised by Kyle Davies tied with the outstanding Mat Latos for 17th (13.6%). Randy Wells placed 22nd (13.1%), one click ahead of Phil Hughes and Mr. Fastball Ubaldo Jimenez at 13.0%.
Instead of honrable mention, we will send a big hearty Mazel Tov to the 11th and 12th placed pitchers in the 30 IP minimum group, Hong-Chih Kuo and Jeremy Hellickson.
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If Hellickson goes into 2011 as the 6th starter, he'll be on our roto team. |
I hope the Rays do not trade a starter until after the season starts, so that Hellickson could possibly fly enough under the radar to make it on our team when we take pitchers in rounds 12's and teens.
To bring this somehow, miraculously, relatively full circle, Jered Weaver placed 13th in all of baseball with just a 30 IP minimum. It is outstanding for anyone, remarkable for a starter, and extremely impressive that Hellickson finished right ahead of him. While his stint in the big leagues last season was certainly a small sample size, Jeremy Hellickson compiled his positive statistics in his starts, not relief appearances.
If you want to have some fun with numbers, check out the full statistical leaderboards on Fangraphs. What we've been looking at tonight is in the "Plate Discipline" tab for pitchers. We can do more quick posts like this if y'all like them. Feel free to suggest other stats or in-game occurrences you'd like us to jump into. Thanks again for reading. Happy Festivus.
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