The Runners Who Make the Least of Their Legs

by
August 31, 2023
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Correa seems like he should be a good baserunner. He’s a young shortstop with great instincts in the field. He’s tall and lean, with a long pair of legs. In his rookie season, he stole 32 bases in 37 attempts across Double-A, Triple-A, and the majors. Yet despite what you’d think, Correa is decidedly not a good baserunner. In fact, he’s been the least valuable runner in the game this season. Over the past two years, he has been worth -13.6 baserunning runs (BsR); only Christian Vázquez (-14.0 BsR) has been worse. Surrounded by catchers, first basemen, and aging veterans, Correa is a fish out of water at the bottom of the BsR leaderboards.

The Twins shortstop recently opened up about his baserunning to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com, calling himself “slow as f–k.” It’s no surprise Correa is down on himself amid a career-worst season. Moreover, in a textual medium, it’s hard to gauge just how tongue-in-cheek his comment was. Still, whether he was dramatizing, joking, or a bit of both, it’s worth clarifying that Correa isn’t quite that slow. His sprint speed, as measured by Statcast, ranks in the 34th percentile – slow, sure, but it’s not like he’s walking around the bases. There are 177 players with a slower sprint speed this season (min. 10 opportunities) and 115 with a slower home-to-first time. If Correa is “slow as f–k,” I don’t even want to know what expletives he’d use to describe Miguel Cabrera and Yasmani Grandal. Correa may not have much speed to work with, but even so, his problem is that he isn’t making the most of the speed he’s got.

Correa isn’t the only player guilty of squandering speed, either. Indeed, there are much faster players who have hurt their teams on the basepaths this season, guys who can’t rely on the “slow as f–k” defense. Inspired by Correa’s comments, I looked at the sprint speed for the 50 worst players by BsR this season and took note of some interesting names. I also conducted my search the other way around, checking out the BsR for each of the 50 fastest runners by sprint speed. These are the guys who stood out. Read the rest of this entry »


Pondering a Possible Pete Alonso Trade

by
August 31, 2023
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The idea of the Mets trading Pete Alonso would have seemed positively preposterous six months ago. Coming off a 101-win season, the Mets committed to a half-billion dollars in new contracts over the winter, entering the season with the most expensive team in history. But rather than battle the Braves for NL East supremacy, they’ve instead been fighting to stay ahead of the Nationals for fourth place, a mêlée they’re currently losing. The Mets have already traded off some of their veterans, including both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, so the idea of parting with Alonso doesn’t seem quite as farfetched as it once did.

There have been some sports radio rumblings about Alonso-related clubhouse issues, but I tend to not take those things too seriously. And even if I did, it’s not a surprising development in the context of a wreck of a season; unless you’re the late 1970s Yankees, winning tends to make people get along better. What I do take seriously are the reports from Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic. No deal was close, but the Mets reportedly talked to at least the Brewers and Cubs around the trade deadline, getting to the point where the players to be sent to New York were discussed.

The facts on the ground, divorced from any specific rumors, also make such a trade plausible this winter. Players a year from free agency are frequently discussed in trades, and while there’s no reason to think the Mets are going to tear the team down to a small, long-term core, a 75-win season — and that’s only if the Mets play decent baseball in September — makes some kind of short-term retool quite possible. In that case, trading the unsigned Alonso for players who can contribute past 2024 is an idea with considerable merit. Read the rest of this entry »


Houston’s Hunter Brown Debuted a New Delivery in His Last Start

by
August 31, 2023
David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter Brown had yet to pitch above High-A when he was first featured here at FanGraphs in April 2021. Two years removed from being drafted in the fifth round out of Wayne State University, expectations surrounding the Detroit-area native were high coming into that season, as he was ranked as the no. 2 prospect (50 FV) in the Houston Astros system. He’s since lived up to those expectations. Brown not only made his big league debut last September, he went on to log three scoreless appearances in the postseason, including one in which he blanked the Seattle Mariners in the 12th and 13th innings of an epic 1-0 Astros win that took 18 frames to complete. This season he’s been a mainstay in the Houston rotation. Over 25 starts, the hard-throwing right-hander is 10-9 with a 4.47 ERA, a 3.71 FIP, and 152 strikeouts in 133 innings.

Brown discussed a recent change to his delivery, and the current quality of his curveball, on Monday, one day before celebrating his 25th birthday.

———

David Laurila: We talked pitching two years ago. Outside of being in the big leagues, what has changed since that time?

Hunter Brown: “My stuff and my pitch shapes are similar, but I actually made a bit of a change in my last outing. There’s a difference in my windup, and in the stretch, where my hands are coming set. And my shoulders are already lined up out of the windup. It’s just a little rocker step kind of deal. That’s something we’ve been talking about for a while. We’re trying to clean up some inconsistencies that came with my previous [delivery]. It worked against the Tigers [on August 26], and hopefully it will continue to work.” Read the rest of this entry »


Spencer Strider Is Comically Overpowering

by
August 31, 2023
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t think you understand. You probably think you understand, but you don’t understand. Oh, you know that Spencer Strider is a bolt of lightning, a strikeout pitcher so overpowering that he might as well have been created in a lab. You know that he’s having a good season, surely; he’s locked in a tight race for NL Cy Young with Zac Gallen and Blake Snell. You know that he’s the logical continuation of the high-strikeout ace lineage, Bob Feller or Sandy Koufax or Roger Clemens for a new age. But I doubt you grasp how much of an outlier Strider’s 2023 season is, because I didn’t either until I took a closer look.

We have pitch-by-pitch data for every major league game on our leaderboards starting in 2002. That means we can calculate swinging strike rate, the percentage of pitches that result in a swing and a miss, for all of those years. I’ll tell you right off the bat that the single-season leader in this category is Jacob deGrom in 2020. In fact, four of the top five seasons on the list are from 2020; they’re outliers that were likely aided by the inherent randomness of a shortened schedule, in other words. For a rate statistic, that makes sense; the fewer innings you can throw to qualify, the easier it is to put up a wild number. Read the rest of this entry »


Job Posting: Miami Marlins – Data Engineer, Baseball Analytics

by
August 31, 2023

Data Engineer, Baseball Analytics

Location: Miami, FL

Position Summary:
The Miami Marlins are seeking a full-time Data Engineer for the Baseball Analytics department. The candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and optimizing ETL processes that ingest, validate, and organize baseball data. The Data Engineer will support the information requirements of our analysts, coaches, and scouts. Strong applicants will have experience with modern ETL processes and database management, with extensive knowledge of both SQL and Python.

Essential Functions:

  • Continuously improve the department’s access to information; design, develop, and optimize ETL processes to ingest data from new data sources.
  • Improve completeness, cleanliness, and timeliness of existing data sources.
  • Create production-quality Python and SQL scripts to automate data loading, using scalable and concise code practices.
  • Maintain high data quality standards. Proactively identify, diagnose, and resolve data issues.
  • Learn, extend, and improve the existing database architecture – ensuring data is well organized for end-users and easy to connect to other data sources.
  • Maintain a version-controlled code repository of ETL scripts.
  • Collaborate with Baseball Operations staff to understand our organization’s information needs.
  • Prioritize workflows effectively and share relevant expertise to best support data users.

Qualifications & Requirements:

  • Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to self-direct.
  • Passion for engineering development, creativity, intellectual curiosity.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrated experience with SQL and Python.
  • Demonstrated experience with ETL/ELT processes and database management.
  • Experience working with data in various formats including JSON, CSV, etc.
  • Experience with cloud computing platforms (Snowflake, GCP, Azure, etc.) is a plus.
  • Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent.
  • Understanding of and passion for baseball and baseball research.
  • Ability to work extended hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Miami Marlins.


Job Posting: Boston Red Sox – Talent Acquisition Specialist, Baseball Ops

by
August 31, 2023

Talent Acquisition Specialist, Baseball Ops

Location: Boston, MA
Status: Full-Time

Position Overview:
This Talent Acquisition Specialist will be responsible for providing full life cycle recruiting and staffing support for Baseball Operations. They will work closely and collaboratively with department heads to customize sourcing and recruiting strategies to generate a robust and diverse pipeline of talented candidates. This role will report dually into People & Culture and Baseball Operations.

They will be expected to truly integrate within both departments, immersing into the People & Culture team for functional oversight from a talent acquisition perspective and baseball ops for delivering value to the baseball side of our business.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop a strategic approach to identifying, attracting, engaging, and acquiring top talent for all open and prospective positions within Baseball Operations.
  • Utilize recruiting and sourcing tools such as job boards, social media, resume databases, baseball-related websites, and search engines to identify local and national candidates.
  • Build close relationships with historically Black colleges & universities and other diverse institutions to help create an employer brand and pipeline of talent. 
  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the functions and goals of every area of Baseball Operations, the culture of the department, how the groups within it work together, and the roles and contributions of all baseball operations staff.
  • Create networks within the baseball industry to identify, track, and source candidates.  Leverage the networks of others within Baseball Operations to do the same and consolidate information so that it can be used efficiently and strategically.
  • Conduct research and maintain a database of individuals in various baseball and softball operations roles throughout the industry.  This should be done at the professional and college levels, in sports media, and in the realm of independent consultants/practitioners to help with proactive sourcing efforts.
  • Research and stay current on staffing and hiring practices of other MLB clubs, with an eye toward gaining competitive advantages for the Red Sox. 
  • Identify key individuals/potential targets from other clubs to fill current and future fits with the Red Sox, while adhering to MLB’s anti-tampering policies.
  • Identify internal candidates for opportunities in Baseball Operations (example – suggesting to the Farm Director that we consider a particular amateur scout for an open coaching position in player development).
  • Plan and execute the interview process, including candidate screening, pre-hire assessments, coordinating/scheduling interviews, and candidate feedback/evaluations.
  • Ensure a high touch candidate experience through thorough communication and timely feedback, as well as interviewer preparedness and effective interview format.
  • Assist managers in making hiring recommendations and executing the offer & contract process.
  • In collaboration with other Baseball Ops staff members, lead the recruiting process for the Baseball Operations Associate program, Summer Internship and David Ortiz Fellowship program.
  • Stay current on federal and state laws regarding employment and hiring practices.
  • Partner with MLB’s network of People & Culture & DEI&B professionals to share best practices and develop a network within the baseball community.
  • Attend Winter Meetings and other job fairs to represent the Red Sox in identifying future talent.
  • Attend spring training as needed each year.  Occasional travel to minor league affiliates and scouting events.
  • Assist with recruiting efforts outside of Baseball Operations if need arises and time permits.

Characteristics / Qualifications:

  • 5+ years of proven work experience in full life cycle talent acquisition OR prior experience working within baseball or other sport operations roles with a desire to focus on talent acquisition and a skill set that shows strong aptitude for recruiting.
  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • Experience in sourcing and generating diverse pipelines of talent is preferred.
  • In-depth experience using applicant tracking systems preferred.  
  • High energy personality and strong relationship building skills for building trust and credibility with both candidates and hiring managers.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Effective time management skills and detail orientation to organize all components of recruiting searches. 
  • Track record of improving upon current processes, implementing new ways of doing things, and leading a culture of continuous improvement, especially as it relates to sourcing and recruiting talent.
  • Proficient in MS Office Suite.

Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination based on race, religious creed, color, sex, age, national origin, handicap, disability, military/veteran status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or protected genetic information.

To Apply:
To apply, please follow this link.

The content in this posting was created and provided solely by the Boston Red Sox.


Effectively Wild Episode 2053: The Shohei Ohtani of Indie Rock

by
August 31, 2023

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s voice and the potential for an ambidextrous superstar who blends the skill sets of Shohei Ohtani and Pat Venditte, then discuss all the implications of the Angels (and a few other teams) placing prominent players on outright waivers right before the deadline for postseason eligibility. After that (44:43), they talk to Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service frontman Ben Gibbard about his beloved Mariners’ surge into first place, his relationship with this Mariners team, his thoughts on the postseason field and the new rules, his upcoming two-way-player tour featuring full performances of Transatlanticism and Give Up, and more, plus (1:31:29) a Future Blast from 2053.

Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Jon Becker’s waiver FAQ
Link to Ben Clemens on the Angels
Link to Zach Kram on the Angels
Link to outright waivers explainer
Link to The Athletic on the waiver moves
Link to The Athletic on waivers again
Link to MLBTR on the Angels
Link to Craig Goldstein on the Angels
Link to FG handedness filter
Link to “Ichiro’s Theme”
Link to Death Cabby for Cutie Day
Link to “An Arrow in the Wall”
Link to period/quarter mix-up
Link to Larry Stone article
Link to Transatlanticism
Link to Give Up
Link to Asphalt Meadows
Link to Gibbard’s album ranking
Link to “Mary Anne With the Shaky Hand”
Link to Gibbard’s two-way tour
Link to Rick Wilber’s website
Link to Future Blast wiki

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Meet the New Kyle Hendricks, Similar to the Old Kyle Hendricks

by
August 30, 2023
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Cubs are in playoff contention at the end of August, and Kyle Hendricks is getting hitters out with a tasting menu of exquisitely located mid-80s funk. (Grabs nearest passerby) “The date! I need you to tell me the date!…God Almighty, my time machine works!”

For most of the late 2010s, Hendricks was not quite an ace but was a bankable no. 2 or no. 3 starter. Even in his relative youth, he never threw hard; the fastest pitch of Hendricks’ entire career was 93.1 mph, and he hasn’t even hit 91 since 2016. People who apparently never watched Greg Maddux loved to stamp a “next Greg Maddux” label on any bookish right-hander with great command, and of those, Hendricks probably came the closest to living up to the comparison. Read the rest of this entry »


We’ve Added a Handedness Filter to the Major League Leaderboards

by
August 30, 2023

Two weeks ago, we updated our Major League Leaderboards. We appreciated all the feedback and feature requests. One of those requests was to add a way to filter by the handedness of the player, and we’ve done just that!

The filter looks at whether the batter is right-handed, left-handed or a switch hitter, and filters on that value. It works the same for pitchers. We even have a switch pitcher filter, although it’s functional for just one player.

Similar to the position player filter, the handedness filter will not create a subset of data. For example, if you select switch-hitters, it will show you their stats from all their plate appearances, regardless of the side of the plate they batted from.

We still have the handedness splits in the “Split” menu, and these splits can be combined with the handedness filter. So you could look at all right-handed pitchers (Handedness Filter) while facing right-handed hitters (Split):

As always if you encounter any issues or bugs, please contact us at support@fangraphs.com.


Effectively Wild Episode 2052: New Kids on the Block

by
August 30, 2023

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about classifying throws by infielders that are actually made in the outfield, imagine a multi-sport two-way Shohei Ohtani, and belatedly acknowledge Scott Cooper’s singular cycle, discuss Kyle Schwarber’s possible sub-replacement-level 40-homer season, break down the NL MVP race featuring Ronald Acuña Jr., Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman, pat Kyle Barraclough on the back for wearing one, note that regression has come for Mickey Moniak, and offer another hosana to Julio Rodríguez. Then they follow up on the previous episode’s mystery about why wild pitches and passed balls have declined, first (1:06:51) by interviewing Yankees quality control and catching coach Tanner Swanson about improvements in catching technique and the evolution of catcher defense, and then (1:37:13) by presenting additional data and theorizing, followed by (1:47:29) a Future Blast from 2052.

Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Elly’s 99.8 mph throw
Link to Elly’s 99.7 mph throw
Link to Elly’s 97.9 mph throw
Link to infield-throws leaderboard
Link to infield-throwers leaderboard
Link to Winn’s 100.5 mph throw
Link to Winn’s 99.9 mph throw
Link to arm strength leaderboard
Link to Haberstroh on two-sport players
Link to post on Cooper’s cycle
Link to Cooper’s cycle game
Link to Cooper’s cycle video
Link to Schwarber tweet
Link to sub-replacement sluggers
Link to Eli Ben-Porat on batting average
Link to Tom Tango on batting average
Link to Tango on batting average again
Link to Ben Clemens on batting average
Link to FG WAR leaders
Link to B-Ref WAR leaders
Link to Mike Petriello on MVP Mookie
Link to SB leaderboard
Link to FG post on Freeman’s baserunning
Link to story on fans and Acuña
Link to video of fans and Acuña
Link to Moniak slump stretch
Link to Posnanski on the Stargell Award
Link to MVPs w/multiple teams
Link to Mearns on Barraclough
Link to Stathead on Barraclough
Link to EW Stat Blast about WP/PB
Link to team catcher defense
Link to story on Swanson and Garver
Link to story about catching’s future
Link to Swanson MVP Machine reference
Link to story on Swanson and the Yankees
Link to Ben on Flowers
Link to Franke/Rogers catcher slides
Link to Kai Franke on Twitter
Link to Jack Rogers on Twitter
Link to team CI leaderboard
Link to EW on the CI surge
Link to Tango on interference and framing
Link to WP/PB totals
Link to Cooper on one-knee catching
Link to Cooper on one-knee catching 2
Link to Cooper on one-knee catching 3
Link to Rick Wilber’s website
Link to Future Blast wiki
Link to Tango on errors/hits
Link to Cooper on errors/hits

 Sponsor Us on Patreon
 Facebook Group
 Twitter Account
 EW Subreddit
 Effectively Wild Wiki
 iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)
 Get Our Merch!
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Podcast (effectively-wild): Play in new window | Download

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