Analyzing the Umpires: NLDS Edition

It is time to look at the third team on the field for the National League division round, the umpires. Each umpire is given a quick look to see if they have any unique strike calling patterns. Also, I posted their 2013 K/9 and BB/9 rates which I scaled them to the league average strikeout and walk rates. A 100 value is league average and a 110 value would be a value 10% higher than the average. Additionally, I added images of their called strike zones verses right and left handed hitters (from catchers perspective) compared to the league average. The scale is the percentage difference where -0.1 means 10% points less than the league average

Cardinals vs. Pirates

Overall, not a bad umpire crew. The only one with a distinct bias will be Paul Nauert and he will be favoring pitchers.

Jerry Layne – He doesn’t like to call the inside strike, but does like to call low strikes.
K/9: 7.5 (99)
BB/9: 3.1 (103)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Wally Bell – With both handed batters, he will more likely call low pitches and those to the third base side strikes.

K/9: 7.6 (100)
BB/9: 2.8 (93)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Sam Holbrook – He squeezes the zone, especially for left-handed hitters (LHH). He compensates by calling lower strikes.

K/9: 7.4 (98)
BB/9: 2.9 (96)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Jim Joyce – Calls the low strike for both handed hitters. For right-handed hitters (RHH), he doesn’t call the high strike. For LHH, he doesn’t call as many strikes on the edge.

K/9: 7.3 (96)
BB/9: 2.9 (96)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Paul Nauert – Loves to call the low strike which leads to his high strikeout and low walk rates.
K/9: 7.8 (103)
BB/9: 2.5 (83)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Tony Randazzo – Another ump who like to call the low strike, but calls less strikes on the edges.
K/9: 7.6 (100)
BB/9: 3.2 (106)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Dodgers-Braves

Overview – Again, not a bad group which likes to call the low strike.

John Hirschbeck – His zone is fairly average.

K/9: 8.0 (106)
BB/9: 3.1 (103)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Laz Diaz – His only difference is he calls more outside low pitches strikes for RHH.
K/9: 7.5 (99)
BB/9: 3.0 (99)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Marvin Hudson – He likes to call low strike to both RH and LH hitters.
K/9: 7.3 (96)
BB/9: 3.3 (109)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Bill Miller – He calls an overall larger strike zone than the rest of the league.
K/9: 7.5 (99)
BB/9: 2.7 (89)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Tim Welke – He shifts his LHH strike zone out to the third base side. His RHH zone expands a bit.
K/9: 7.0 (92)
BB/9: 3.0 (99)

vs LHH

vs RHH

Hunter Wendelstedt – He is pretty normal, except he pushed the LHH zone outside. Also, he extends the RHH zone up and down.

K/9: 8.1 (107)
BB/9: 2.8 (93)

vs LHH

vs RHH