Comments on: Yet Another Reason to Like Joakim Soria

By: Dennis

Dennis — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 06:31:57 +0000

“I am sure I’m reading the BABIP stat correctly and it is up at .333 so far, which is what, 60 points above average? ”

I think you’re confusing BABIP with batting average. BABIP does not factor in strikeouts (or home runs): bating average on *balls in play*. The average rate for that is usually somewhere between .300-.310, but some hitters do show a demonstrable ability to control that to some degree (fast groundball/line drive hitters like Ichiro Suzuki will hit for a higher one; flyball sloths like Andruw Jones consistently hit for a lower one).

By: kcghost

kcghost — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:48:06 +0000

The current hitting binge the Royals are on is a mirage. Pods hasn’t had an OPS north of .770 in 7 years and Kendall hasn’t been above .720 in 5 years. Yuniesky has never had one above .720 in his 5 previous seasons. Guillen has also been smoking hot, too.

It is hard to imagine how bad the talent on the farm is if our talent evaluators are right. I don’t see how you can be worse than Mendoza.

Sadly, our bullpen prevented us from taking advantage of this.

By: sumajestad

sumajestad — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:49:41 +0000

“I am sure I’m reading the BABIP stat correctly and it is up at .333 so far, which is what, 60 points above average? ”

By: gbewing

gbewing — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:39:46 +0000

4 names better than at least 3 relievers on our roster in Omaha right now. I don’t know if they are great but they are better than Mendoza Hughes and Rupe and probably a few others. Carlos Rosa, Victor Marte, Matt Herges and Disco Hayes (he may be hurt on Omaha rioster but hasn’t pitched), there is no reason they can’t be brought up- starting the clock nonsense etc Marte is 29 Herges is freaking 40 and Rosa has been a prospect since Tom Poquette played for us. In 4 years I think it’s not asking too much to develop 1 major league average reliever these are not the top round draftees, middle relievers are created not drafted. The guys they are talkign about are indeed terrible Lagrew, Blake Wood etc. Any team that has a pitchers designated as primary set up man at the start of the season and releases that player 9 days later is an embrrassment.

By: Adam C.

Adam C. — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:43:27 +0000

The Royals did struggle to get walks against the Twins however they have a major league leading 2.38 bb/9 so it isn’t too surprising. The Twins pitchers do what Trey wishes the Royals could do, throw strikes. Doing that forces the hitters to swing the bat and put the ball in play. Then you have to hope the defense can come through and make an accurate throw to first.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:28:25 +0000

Bill … The Twins give up the fewest walks in the AL at 31 and the Royals have given up the second most at 56. With over 20 free passes handed out against MN alone. Point being the Royals not walking against the Twins is due to their better pitching staff versus KC’s approach at the plate. KC has taken only 30ish walks this season. Good for second to last in the AL.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:54:52 +0000

I’m not taking up the time to look up stats or anything, but the Royals never walk against the Twins. I thought they were doing a decent job taking walks early in the year, but had only 4 against the Twins. Small sample size maybe. But, hitting is going great and won’t last, unfortunately. I’m glad to see Gordon back. Gordon at his level 2 years ago makes this team much better.

By: CL_on_the_DL

CL_on_the_DL — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:31:47 +0000

Side question – maybe the topic of another entry:

Right now the Royals hitters are 2nd to last in the AL (last in the Central) in walks and also last in the AL in K’s.

So I guess my question is, are we getting absurdly lucky that we’re making a lot of contact or is this actually the Kevin Seitzer hitting philosophy finally taking hold and making an impact (particularly on a guy like Betancourt, who allegedly was extremely coachable this off-season and needed a resurgence if he intends to stay in the game past 2011)?

I’m not sure I’m reading the fangraphs’ hitting stas correctly (especially O-contact% and Z-contact%) so if someone else could tell me what that means then I’d appreciate it.

I am sure I’m reading the BABIP stat correctly and it is up at .333 so far, which is what, 60 points above average? At some point those numbers will come back into line, and that won’t be good for this team.