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.
0 recs | 16 comments
Jeff ♥'s Wash
And Wash ♥’s Jeffy
lemonverbena - June 10, 2009
This day just gets better and better.
russak - June 10, 2009
Technically, it's tomorrow....
.Taylor - June 10, 2009
and as I fart in your general direction...
It will be the day after shortly in Korea.
hairofthedawg - June 10, 2009
I'm in Korea
so it is the day after shortly here.
Slow Country - June 10, 2009
Maybe he's in Alaska
Where it would have been 11:30 (10:30?) at the time of him writing it.
Faux - June 10, 2009
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.
davidcameron - June 10, 2009
It's just so unusual for a standard new-pitch story to work out so well so soon
Jeff Sullivan - June 10, 2009
Esteban Loaiza
It doesn’t happen that often, but it’s not unprecedented.
davidcameron - June 10, 2009
JJ!
marc w - June 10, 2009
And, please, do send these two posts to all the GMs in both leagues.
msb - June 10, 2009
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.
ThundaPC - June 10, 2009
I want to keep him as long as we're in contention because this doesn't look like a SSS fluke as much any more.
I don’t think he’s this good but he’s much better. And if we drop out of contention before the deadline, it’s likely that he’ll still be a somewhat valuable commodity. This might be the best luck we’ve had this season.
Aaron Campeau - June 10, 2009
Besides Bedard not having a torn labrum and pitching well this season
seattlebruin - June 10, 2009
There's a difference between luck and divine miracle.
Aaron Campeau - June 10, 2009
No religion
Sec 108 - June 10, 2009
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