Pitch f/x ideas

by therayspartyleader on Nov 4, 2009 1:02 PM EST

I have all of the 2009 pitch f/x data in a nice and organized MySQL database and I'm in the process of acquiring 2007-2008 data,. This allows me to get access to all the data for every single player which makes it easy to get league averages for certain data points. I have a few ideas up my sleeve already but I thought it might be useful to get a collective forum going here with different thoughts and ideas on how we can use the pitch f/x data to better analyze any of the Rays pitchers and hitters. Pitch counts, league averages, hit direction, baserunners, and umpires are possible points of analysis using my database.

(My pitch f/x profile of Jesse Chavez as a little teaser)

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Great stuff man, I'll put my thinking cap on.

I'm not really a NUMBERS guy!!

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 4, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions

I wish there was an easy way to look at pitch sequencing and perhaps marginal returns on pitches.

But the latter seems nearly impossible and the former I have no easy way to put forth.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 4, 2009 3:41 PM EST reply actions

Pitch sequencing is pretty easy

Josh Kalk put together a nice list of how effective pitches were when they were proceeded by another pitch:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/pitch-sequencing/

And I’m currently working on an article for THT about when “pitching backwards” (offspeed pitch then fastball) is most effective.

What do you mean by marginal return on pitches?

by vivaelpujols on Nov 4, 2009 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Does the third change-up hold the same return value as the fifth against a batter.

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 4, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions

Gotcha

by vivaelpujols on Nov 4, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions

pitch sequencing is possible

but I would have to learn some SQL commands in order to do so.

As in marginal analysis you mean maybe say a starter throwing more or less fastballs will help or hurt him.

These would be great but they are out of my reach now. Although it doesn’t hurt to start, more so with the pitch sequencing.

The Rays Party

by therayspartyleader on Nov 4, 2009 4:25 PM EST reply actions

Email me, and I'll show you how to look at pitch sequencing

It’s pretty easy.

by vivaelpujols on Nov 4, 2009 7:44 PM EST up reply actions

I just made up a new stat

SPOIL

Take all pitches located inside the pitch f/x strikezone, then divide the amount of fouls by the amount of total swings. Then you get the percentage of fouls per swing at pitches inside the strikezone.

The Rays leaderboard (note only those who seen at least 295 pitches in the strikezone):
Gross 47.4
Aybar 46.6
Crawford 45.5
Burrell 45
Kapler 49
Navarro 43.6
Zaun 43.5
Iwamura 43.4
Bartlett 41.6
Pena 41.2
Upton 40.9
Zobrist 40.8
Longoria 38.5

For comparison Delwyn had the highest at 54.3% and Christian Guzman the lowest at 26.7%.

The Rays Party

by therayspartyleader on Nov 4, 2009 4:58 PM EST reply actions