Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: Please, Someone Make Bob Sapp Stop Already

Lance Cormier Thrives As Rays Low Leverage Ace

 Earlier, R.J. praised Joe Maddon for using J.P. Howell correctly. Far too often we point out a manager's flaws when he mismanages a game or a bullpen, so it's only fitting to give him credit when he uses his assets correctly. I want to take this time to point out how well Joe Maddon has used Lance Cormier. It's no secret that Cormier is a personal favorite of mine. I pegged him back in December as a bullpen sleeper and so far he has turned out to be even better than I imagined.

Over the Rays first 35 games, Cormier appeared in over 1/3 of them (13) and pitched 26 innings. I joked with many that Cormier was the Rays defacto sixth starter as he had almost as many innings pitch as Jeff Niemann (33.2) and Andy Sonnanstine (34.2) at the time. Since May 13th, Niemann and Sonnanstine have pitched deeper into games and the rest of the bullpen has picked up the pace.

Star-divide

In the past month, Cormier has appeared in just seven games and thrown 13.1 innings. Despite the long layoffs in between appearances, Cormier has maintained his effectiveness. Over those seven appearances opponents are hitting just .130/.216/.196/.411. He has also picked up his strikeout numbers averaging 7.55 K's per nine, while walking 3.43 per nine, a full walk lower than his career total. Overall, he's walking 2.50 per nine; well below his career norm of 4.41.

Even though his appearances have become more sporadic as of late, the heavy use of his right arm early on has in the top six of innings pitched amongst relief pitchers.

 

G

IP

Brian Bass

21

43.2

RamonTroncoso

30

43

Andrew Bailey

31

42

D.J. Carrasco

22

41.2

RonaldBelisario

35

40.1

Lance Cormier

20

39.2

Chris Sampson

31

39

Seth McClung

26

39

Chad Durban

33

37

Danys Baez

23

35.2

Jason Jennings

21

35

Not only has he thrown a bunch of innings, but he's thrown a bunch of effective ones. Sure, most of them have come in mop-up roles, but as we saw with Jason Hammel last year, that role is still important. Amongst relievers with 35+ innings, Cormier has the lowest ERA.

 

G

ERA

Lance Cormier

20

2.04

Ronald Belisario

35

2.23

RamonTroncoso

30

2.3

Chris Sampson

31

2.31

Andrew Bailey

31

2.36

Seth McClung

26

3

D.J. Carrasco

22

3.02

Danys Baez

23

3.03

JasonJennings

21

3.34

Chad Durban

33

3.89

Brian Bass

21

3.92

By now you should know ERA is basically useless when evaluating an individual pitchers performance so let's see where Cormier ranks by FIP.

 

G

FIP

D.J. Carrasco

22

2.83

Andrew Bailey

31

2.85

Lance Cormier

20

3.22

Chris Sampson

31

3.32

Ronald Belisario

35

3.37

RamonTroncoso

30

3.51

Danys Baez

23

4.22

JasonJennings

21

4.53

Seth McClung

26

4.86

Brian Bass

21

5.29

Chad Durban

33

5.45

As you can see while Cormier hasn't been 2.04 ERA good, he's still in the top three of all relief pitchers with 35+ innings. Cormier's pLI is just 0.53 which makes him, not Dan Wheeler, the king of low leverage situations. Once again, Joe Maddon knows what type of pitcher he has in Cormier, and like J.P. Howell, he is using him in the situations that he'll thrive in. Does Joe Maddon manage the bullpen perfectly? No, but neither does any major league manager. However, in these two cases he has shown the ability to use guys in the situations in which they should be most effective and that's all you can ask.

Comment 13 comments  |  0 recs  | 

Do you like this story?

Comments

Display:

Right, J.P. was highly effective in low leverage last year too

No need to shake things up now though.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 19, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

Why though?

Our entire philosophy has been roles do not matter. What makes you believe that any of the relievers will perform better or worse if their roles were reassigned for the proper leverage?

Personally I think the most likely scenario would the pitchers would keep on pitching exactly they way their talents say they should pitch. They would just be pitching in the right leverage given the pecking order.

by matthan on Jun 19, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

I do remember your piece about Wheeler and high and low leverage

Definitely interesting to know but I don’t think in the long term his performance will differ based on leverage. Good info on what has happened in the past, but not really useful for predicting the future. For example Wheeler used to be dominant as a set up man for the Astros but then wet the bed as a closer.

by matthan on Jun 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions  

Sky Kalkman debunked Wheeler

HIs IBB made a huge difference. Once you adjust his high and low-med were more in line. Balfour on the other hand is night and day.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 19, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is exactly my point

The fact that Cormier is kicking butt shows that Maddon is in fact using him poorly. You should put your best performing relievers in the highest leverage situations. Is there any evidence whatsoever that Cormier would perform worse in high leverage?

by matthan on Jun 19, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

On the other hand what are peoples thoughts for Cormier in fantasy leagues?

In deep enough leagues that all closers are obviously taken and a good amount of handcuffs. It is a points league that is a bit biased towards IP also…

I’m thinking about picking him up.

by matthan on Jun 19, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions  

I picked him up for now.

But he hasn’t come into a game lately so he is only taking up roster space. I have Nick Blackburn on waivers so I have Cormier through the weekend if my waiver claim goes through. If you have a deep league and all closers are taken and no good setup men, I would take a mop-guy like Cormier that can give you 3-4 innings of work.

"Doesn't Manny Ramirez look like the monster from Predator??" - Will Farrell as Harry Carey

by Gone Phishing on Jun 19, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Any league where you can adjust your lineup daily

I try to load up on high K/9-low ERA relievers regardless of role. They may vulture some saves, but they pitch a few times a week and rack up K’s while not getting hit too hard (ex. Affeldt, Howell, Thornton, etc…)

Rays Win!

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 19, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

High Leverage

There are some distinguishing characteristics that can separate a pitcher in the highest of leverage situations (think 1 run or tie game). What changes? The appearance of small ball. What factors?

High K ratio
Tough to steal on
Ground Ball Inducer
Low Walks

Cormier’s K/9 is 4.54. Not good.
He has 2 steals allowed in 2 attempts this. 25 for 34 for his career.
Ground Ball 53.5%, over 50% for career. Excellent
Low Walks 2.5/9 this year. 4.4/career. This season good, career bad

These four things become far more important when 1 run is at critical mass.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 19, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions  

Cormier's got a solid groundball rate, though.

If Bradford can get away with it, why couldn’t he? I’m not expecting him to be another JP, but it’d be nice to see him used in games where we don’t need him to eat innings.

by Suttree on Jun 19, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

His arm is the most stretched though

Would need someone else ready to throw 40+ pitches when called upon. It can be done, but I don’t think its as simple as flipping a switch. More than any other bullpen role, long relief requires training. The Rays have also had numerous 5 inning Sonny, Price, Niemann outings where they left with a lead. Thats a great place for Cormier. Hes not only used in blowouts jsut earlier in games.

Follow Me on Twitter @FreeZorilla

by FreeZorilla on Jun 19, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Founded in 2005, DRaysBay is home to, "Progressive statistical analysis and reasoned argument."

Please read our Community Guidelines.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Zobrist vs Pedroia vs Cano
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #31 Runoff

Recent FanPosts

Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospects #39
Small
Joe Maddon Town Hall meeting on the Ron and Ian show. Any ideas for questions I should ask?
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #37
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #35
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #34
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #33
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #32
Scaled_php_small
Rays Community Prospect #31

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

"RHP Brandon Gomes will be behind at the start of spring training after...
2 minor league signings with invitations to spring...
Jeff Bagwell, Fred McGriff, The Hall of Fame, and 400 Home Runs
ESPN Chat with Matt Moore
Danny Clyburn: 1974-2012
Joe Maddon Town Hall Contest
Hickey said as of now all of the starters -- Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann,...
White Sox sign Dan Johnson
Indians acquire Canzler
Justin Ruggiano to Elect Free Agency

+ New FanShot All FanShots >

DRB Fantasy Baseball

Friends of the Site

DRB Suggestion Box

Drb4_medium


Managers

Slowsky__1__small Steve Slowinski

Dad_small Jason Collette

Brad_small BWoodrum

Price_small Erik Hahmann

Analysts

Lob-city_design_small rglass44

Untitled_small EminenceFront

Small Mulva

Rutg_uakjmedjwh9ndzd4lkll_small Imperialism32

100_1952_small MrNegative1

Steak-with-crown_small CBJones

Whelk_small Whelk

Small PGP

Scaled_php_small mr. maniac

Tampa_theatre_small jcmitchell

Me_small John Gregg