Fangraphs: Now 20% More Awesome

by Jeff Sullivan on Apr 30, 2008 11:31 AM PDT in Seattle Mariners Stats

While this is a few days old, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention their latest update. I won't copy and paste the explanation - just click the link, stupid - but long story short, now they provide some data for batters based on pitch location, like %pitches in the zone and %contact on pitches out of the zone, that provides a lot of insight into which guys have plate discipline, and which guys simply flail away. Go check it out.

Just a few things I found interesting while messing around:

-Jason Giambi has a good eye
-Carlos Gomez doesn't
-Reggie Willits never swings ever
-Todd Helton possesses an extraordinary ability to make contact on everything
-Juan Pierre does too but his contact sucks way more
-For a good hitter, Kevin Youkilis gets thrown an awful lot of strikes
-Adrian Beltre is seeing far fewer strikes than before (and he's laying off of more balls)
-Kenji Johjima is doing worse despite what so far has been an improved approach

Between the awesome amount of detailed information and the much-improved front page blog, Fangraphs has become a place you ought to visit several times a day. What a fantastic website.

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Comments

The improvement is nothing short of stunning.

I used FanGraphs occaisionally. I found it a cool tool, but that was about it. I have to admit, for a while I didn’t visit. I just didn’t feel the need. Between the absolute gobs of information and the writing, I’ve come back. Its a daily check now, not in a small part to Dave’s writing.

by TheEmrys on Apr 30, 2008 11:45 AM PDT reply actions

Vlad: swings at 46% of pitches outside the zone

conclusion: never throw him a strike.

by Matthew on Apr 30, 2008 11:53 AM PDT reply actions

He still makes contact on those most of the time

conclusion: IBB

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

He's not going to hit them all of the time.

Though occasionally he will take a 98 mph fastball above his shoulders and off the plate away to the opposite field for a homerun (like he did off Peavy in the 2006 all-star game).

by Llewdor on Apr 30, 2008 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm still saying IBB

vs SEA: .364/.444/.672 plus he almost killed Soriano.

He scares me.

by Edgar for Pres on Apr 30, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions

ahaha you mentioned willits

which gives me a perfect chance to use this

Original with no text (for your captioning pleasure): http://pix-hoster.com/upload/jeffgei81.jpg

the other angels fan

by Eyebrows on Apr 30, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Here's an awesome stat

Jack Cust makes contact on only 65.8% of his swings

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 12:46 PM PDT reply actions

Also,

this season, Ichiro has missed exactly 1.6% of the strikes that he’s swung at

Which means that this season, he’s swung at and missed TWO strikes

by seattlebruin on Apr 30, 2008 12:49 PM PDT reply actions

Wow.

by Fett42 on Apr 30, 2008 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

The amount of win at Fangraphs

cannot be contained. It’s leaking out of the servers.

by Gomez on Apr 30, 2008 12:53 PM PDT reply actions

Barry Bonds still has a ridiculous eye it seems

by Fett42 on Apr 30, 2008 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

Do you think Hiroshi Yamauchi looks at fangraphs?

I know, I know, he saved baseball in Seattle before “the Double” and is large reason why the M’s signed and still have Ichiro Suzuki along with signing (and possibly forcing the retirement of) Kazuhiro Sasaki. But seriously, quit hanging with Shigeru, Satoru and Reggie and come see your team play for once! You’re wasting Ichiro’s prime.