Credit Where Credit's Due

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 10, 2009 12:09 AM PDT in Seattle Mariners Stats

I was thinking of turning this into a lengthy post of its own on here, but Matthew beat me to the punch over at Fangraphs, so I'll just send you guys there. Remember a little while ago when we were talking about Jarrod Washburn's statistical improvement in 2009? This came up in that comment thread, but fresh from Matthew's post, here's some updated data:

SwStr% vs LHB
2009: 14.9
2007-8: 8.5

Washburn's rate of missed lefty bats has increased by three-quarters from where it was in 2007-2008. Three-quarters, with the end result being 26 strikeouts and 3 walks over 82 plate appearances. Somebody's throwing better stuff. When you're able to so totally neutralize such a significant fraction of the batters you're facing, you'll be hard-pressed to allow that many runs.

Major kudos to Jarrod Washburn for taking steps to turn the course of his career around at 34. I don't really care for him, and I can't imagine that 26/3 represents his new true talent level K/BB against left-handed hitters, but you don't see a whole lot of guys his age suddenly figure out how to be a better pitcher, so Jarrod deserves plenty of credit. This is pretty impressive.

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Jeff ♥'s Wash

And Wash ♥’s Jeffy

by lemonverbena on Jun 10, 2009 12:43 AM PDT reply actions

This day just gets better and better.

by russak on Jun 10, 2009 1:25 AM PDT reply actions

Technically, it's tomorrow....

by .Taylor on Jun 10, 2009 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions

and as I fart in your general direction...

It will be the day after shortly in Korea.

by hairofthedawg on Jun 10, 2009 4:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm in Korea

so it is the day after shortly here.

Thug Life

by Slow Country on Jun 10, 2009 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Maybe he's in Alaska

Where it would have been 11:30 (10:30?) at the time of him writing it.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Jun 10, 2009 4:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Credit the two seamer

As we know, the two seam fastball is a great pitch against same handed hitters. So, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that when Washburn adds one to his repertoire, he starts nuking lefties.

by davidcameron on Jun 10, 2009 6:51 AM PDT reply actions

It's just so unusual for a standard new-pitch story to work out so well so soon

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 10, 2009 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Esteban Loaiza

It doesn’t happen that often, but it’s not unprecedented.

by davidcameron on Jun 10, 2009 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

JJ!

by marc w on Jun 10, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

And, please, do send these two posts to all the GMs in both leagues.

by msb on Jun 10, 2009 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

This development couldn't have happened at a better time.

Washburn is essentially on a one-year deal at this point and he’s having what looks to be a career year. I know most folks can’t wait to trade him but it doesn’t matter to me all that much anymore. He’s either gone this summer or gone this offseason. If it ends up being the latter, I’m not going to get too worked up over it. If the former happens via trade, hey, all the better.

by ThundaPC on Jun 10, 2009 9:12 AM PDT reply actions