Cup o’ coffee tidbits.
Written by Joe Veno on June 22, 2009 – 10:13 AM -- I question JD Drew in the clutch: Over at Fire Brand, I question if JD Drew is clutch (right after I question if clutch exists within my head). Studies have shown that players don’t really elevate their game in clutch situations. But what about getting worse? What about under-performing? Derek Jeter has come through numerous times because he is a very good player, and was a great player. Same with David Ortiz. But Drew hasn’t, he has performed worse in these situations. So our definition of “clutch” may just be doing what a player does, rather than doing better.
- Matt Cain experiencing some luck: A BABIP of .263 is definitely helping Matt Cain. 3.52 walks per nine hasn’t really hurt him. And an absurd 89.1 LOB% has benefited him greatly. Yet, his ERA sits at 2.28. Cain has had some things go his way to say the least. He is a very talented pitcher, but the walks may have to come down a tad, because the BABIP and LOB% have nowhere to go but the wrong way.
- The Angels changing philosophy?: Or is just the personnel they were dealt? The Angels are currently seventh in the AL in OBP. Which may not sound like much, but that is a step up. And they play in a neutral park, so there are definitely a few hitters parks ahead of them in there. It is a step in the right direction. Because until they address that they need more base-runners in order to score more runs, then they will continue to have trouble, well, scoring runs.
Posted in Anaheim Angels, Boston Red Sox, Player Analysis, San Francisco Giants | 6 Comments »
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 PM
that might be the most sensible ( and pithy ) ideas about clutch. it might just sum it up for many players. what if they just don’t handle pressure situations very well? what if they don’t live up to their usual stats when it counts the most? robinson cano is a great example of that. of course robbie is hitting over .400 in the 9th inning this year, but has GIDP in the twice last few games in the 9th to end the game… who knows…
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Thanks for the new word (pithy). Never heard it before.
And Cano has been in the negatives of Fangraphs’s clutch every year except for 2008.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:14 PM
Coincidentally, I question JD Drew indefinitely — in all scenarios — in all worlds. Really. He’s an enigma.
That was a rough beating you took over at BBTF. I commend you for standing up to them like that.
Way to go!
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Haha, thanks. I wrote a piece on Joel Pineiro down a few if you want to chime in since you see him a lot. You are the Cardinals fan right?
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:49 AM
joe’s used to holding his own- i remember him standing up to a bunch of guys at bleeding pinstripes–in fact that’s how i found his blog
so joe–what is the link he is referring to?
June 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 AM
The link is here if you actually care to read it: http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/are_the_rays_back_to_their_2008_form/
What happened was I posted three of my own posts when I first joined, because I thought that I was submitting it so that someone could review it, then post it if it is good enough for discussion. But apparently they just go through. After that, I posted one of my own and two of Lebowitz’s. Now, i am most likely going to refrain from posting my own, but I will not refrain from posting others work.