It appears BPro is re-running PECOTAs for pitchers to take into account the new defensive alignments behind them. Pedroia taking over at 2B projects to help out with the glove significantly enough to lower the projected ERAs of guys like Dice-Mat and Papsmear by a decent margin...
n the contrary, the pitcher projections should now be more accurate, as they reflect the PECOTA projected FRAA for every team, based on the depth charts that we’re putting together. There was some attempt to account for defense before — basically, looking at a team’s defensive efficiency over the past couple of seasons and regressing it heavily to the mean — but the new version should allow us to account a lot more accurately for player turnover.
It turns out that Red Sox pitchers are helped especially by this enhancement, since we’re expecting the turnover their roster has undergone this winter to work to their benefit.
...
The Red Sox weren’t the only team that was helped by this adjustment. Diamondback pitchers lost 15-20 points off their ERAs, and Cardinal pitchers did nearly as well. Teams like the Blue Jays and Braves, on the other hand — the Braves infield could be really ugly this year — were harmed.
90% of pitching is defense, the other half is strikeouts.
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 2269
Location: Gold Canyon
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:10 am Post subject:
Steve Gilbert this morning wrote:
Webb threw off the mound on Saturday as D-backs pitchers and catchers went about their first workout of the spring under blue skies. Now the unquestioned ace of the staff, even with the presence of Randy Johnson, Webb said he doesn't feel any additional pressure.
"I feel the same that I did the first four years I've been here, so I don't think anything will change with that," he said. "I feel comfortable where I'm at, and I'm excited to get the season started."
One thing that Webb wants to work on this spring is his changeup. Aside from his signature sinker, the change is probably his most effective pitch. It took him until midseason to become comfortable with it last year, and it was the one pitch that irritated his sore elbow during the second half. He's thrown it over the winter and again on Saturday with no problems.
"To get that going early and get it consistent and if it's as good as it was last year, it [will be] a huge pitch for me," he said.
The pitch has downward movement like his sinker, but not as much tail. When he throws it with the same arm action as his fastball, it's tough for hitters to adjust.
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 2269
Location: Gold Canyon
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:22 pm Post subject:
Associated Press tonight wrote:
At 28, Webb believes he is approaching his best years. He has a good curveball and an improving changeup that he used more as the season progressed last year.
"It was a really big pitch for me late (in the season)," Webb said.
This spring, he wants to get that changeup "going early and consistent."
"If it is as good as it was last year, it was a huge pitch for me," Webb said.
Still, it is one of the best sinking fastballs in baseball that has elevated him to a spot among the elite pitchers in the game. When he's at his best, opponents pound groundout after groundout.
The trick is to know when to throw his other pitches.
"The thing is with a guy with that kind of sinker, if it ain't broke don't fix it," Melvin said. "Understanding when you can mix something else in can be difficult for a guy with such a dominating one pitch. It's feel. A lot of it too is the feedback he gets from the catcher."
Playing on a Diamondbacks team that tied for last in the NL West a year ago, Webb was 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA. He walked a career-low 50 while striking out a career-best 178. In the wake of his big season, Webb said he feels no pressure as he enters his fifth season as a Diamondbacks starter.
"I feel the same as I did the first four years that I've been here," he said, "so I don't think anything will change."
Webb's locker is across from Randy Johnson's, and the two pitchers could hardly be more different in temperament. Webb is loose and seemingly carefree, while Johnson feeds off his own intensity.
But there is a mutual admiration, and Webb said he was thrilled when the Diamondbacks made the trade to bring Johnson back to Arizona.
"I was definitely excited when I first heard the news that he might be coming back," Webb said. "I was all for it and was rooting for him and hoping that he was going to end up here. It ended up happening. I think it's great for our team. It's a great addition to what I think is a pretty quality pitching staff."
One of Johnson's first moves after the deal was to go to Melvin and tell him he knew Webb was the No. 1 pitcher on the staff, even though The Big Unit won four Cy Youngs in his initial stint with the Diamondbacks and has been an ace for nearly all of his career.
Johnson said Webb benefited from being allowed to develop his skills out of the spotlight in his first two seasons. That was when Johnson and Curt Schilling formed one of the most dominating 1-2 pitching punches in baseball history.
"He learned a lot simply because a lot wasn't expected of him at the time," Johnson said. "I think that's the best way. When you have no expectations put upon you, like Brandon did back then because me and Curt were here, you can really kind of ease yourself into a situation where you're more comfortable."
Webb said he learned just from watching Johnson and Schilling go about their jobs.
Now he is getting used to the idea that he, not Johnson, is the top pitcher on the staff.
"It sounds a little weird," Webb said, "but I'm ready."
Joined: 10 Aug 2006
Posts: 3039
Location: In front of my computer
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:
Quote:
Now he is getting used to the idea that he, not Johnson, is the top pitcher on the staff.
"It sounds a little weird," Webb said, "but I'm ready."
Damn straight Webby...spoken like a true ace.
_________________
League average when you are paying league minimum is great value, League average when you are paying 10 million sucks.
All times are GMT - 7 Hours Goto page Previous1, 2
Page 2 of 2
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
