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SCOUTf/xEvaluating players’ tools with PITCHf/x, HITf/x

and FIELDf/x data.

Max Marchi

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Caveats

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Caveats

Examples

Rough (Quick’n’dirty)

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Caveats

Sample size

Examples

Rough (Quick’n’dirty)

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Caveats

Sample size

Interactions

Not in a vacuum

Examples

Rough (Quick’n’dirty)

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Caveats

Sample size

Interactions

Not in a vacuum

Know your precision

Examples

Rough (Quick’n’dirty)

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Pitch characteristics

Pitch type Speed h.mov. v.mov.

Slider 83.9 2.4 2.3

Curve 77.3 5.3 -5.3

Four Seamer 92.1 -6.0 8.6

Four Seamer 92.1 -6.0 8.6

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Pitch characteristics

Pitch type Speed h.mov. v.mov.

Slider

(Gregerson)

83.9

83.3

2.4

5.0

2.3

1.9 byte

Curve

(Isringhausen)

77.3

77.0

5.3

5.8

-5.3

-11.8 break

Four Seamer

(Hochevar)

92.1

91.8

-6.0

-8.7

8.6

7.8 tail

Four Seamer

(Harden)

92.1

92.2

-6.0

-4.8

8.6

11.8 hop

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Deception

“[pitcher’s name]’s change-up looks like his fastball as it leaves his hand”

Think Swing plate

Bud Norris 0.10 0.07 3.3

Raul Valdes 0.02 0.07 4.1

Mark Lowe 0.06 0.08 5.1

Felix Hernandez 0.14 0.09 2.8

Francisco Liriano 0.09 0.09 4.0

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Stamina

“[pitcher’s name] is able to maintain his velocity throughout the game”

(note: 100 = average pitcher’s speed)

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Stamina

“[pitcher’s name] is able to maintain his velocity throughout the game”

(note: 100 = average pitcher’s speed)

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The rest

• Selection/sequencing

• Command/control

• Inducing “fishing”

• …

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Not only the pitchers…

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Blocking

Pitch WP+PB rate

Fastball 0.24%

Change-up 0.49%

Curve 0.60%

Slider 0.73%

Knuckleball 1.37%

Source: Dave Allen (baseballanalysts.com)

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FramingCatcher 50-50 called strike

area

David Ross 3.65

Jose Molina 3.56

Brian McCann 3.54

Ryan Hanigan 3.47

Yadier Molina 3.40

… …

Dioner Navarro 2.92

Gerald Laird 2.85

Jorge Posada 2.82

Kenji Johjima 2.74

Ryan Doumit 2.71

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Game calling

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Controlling the running game

Pitch SB success

Fastball 75%

Slider 80%

Change-up 82%

Curve 84%

Pitch speed

Stolen bases 86.6 mph

Caught stealings 87.1 mph

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Controlling the running game

Source: Jeremy Greenhouse (baseballanalysts.com)

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DisciplineBatter 50/50 swing

area*

Vlad Guerrero 16.3

Jeff Francoeur 13.8

Miguel Tejada 13.4

Ryan Braun 13.3

Carlos Lee 13.0

… …

David Wright 7.1

Magglio Ordonez 7.0

Geovany Soto 6.8

Marco Scutaro 6.6

Mike Cameron 6.2

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The blind spot

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Spray / Hitting to the pitch

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Power

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Power

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Enter FIELDf/x data

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Defense: a number or a chart?

Source: David Pinto (baseballmusings.com)

504480 -24 461477 +16

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Arm

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Arm

Positions when CF releases the ball

Positions when 3B gets the ball

Throwing- strength- accuracy

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First step

- The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic, is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before he hears the sound of the ball meeting the bat.

Joe DiMaggio

link1

link2

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First step

- The phrase 'off with the crack of the bat', while romantic, is really meaningless, since the outfielder should be in motion long before he hears the sound of the ball meeting the bat.

Joe DiMaggio

link1

link2

- anticipation- reaction

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The pivot

• 6-4-3 Double playsPlay# Time from SS to 2B* Pivot time**

1 .60 .60

2 .40 .40

3 .27 .60

4 .53 .40

5 .53 .40

6 .53 .53

7 .67 .33

* From SS releasing the ball to 2B getting the ball

** From 2B getting the ball to 2B releasing the ball

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Base running

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Jumping out of the box

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Jumping out of the box

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Leading off base

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Leading off basePrimary lead

lead off 1st base (yds)

Fre

quen

cy

0 5 10 15

05

1015

20

Secondary lead

lead off 1st base (yds)

Fre

quen

cy

0 5 10 15

05

1015

20

Jump on contact

jump (yds)

Fre

quen

cy

0 5 10 15

05

1015

20

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Catching

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CatchingWe would need…

Runner’s position at pitch release

Runner’s position when ball crosses plate

Time when catcher obtains possession of the ball

Time when catcher releases the ball

Position where 2B/SS receives the ball

Time when 2B/SS obtains possession of the ball

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CatchingWe would need…

Runner’s position at pitch release

Runner’s position when ball crosses plate

Time when catcher obtains possession of the ball

Time when catcher releases the ball

Position where 2B/SS receives the ball

Time when 2B/SS obtains possession of the ball

Pitcher holding runners

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CatchingWe would need…

Runner’s position at pitch release

Runner’s position when ball crosses plate

Time when catcher obtains possession of the ball

Time when catcher releases the ball

Position where 2B/SS receives the ball

Time when 2B/SS obtains possession of the ball

Catcher’s transfer time

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CatchingWe would need…

Runner’s position at pitch release

Runner’s position when ball crosses plate

Time when catcher obtains possession of the ball

Time when catcher releases the ball

Position where 2B/SS receives the ball

Time when 2B/SS obtains possession of the ball

Catcher’s throw- speed- accuracy

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Thank you