After converting the Fangraphs plate discipline numbers (OSwing%, ZSwing%, etc.) into Swings At Strikes/Total Swings, here are a couple leaderboards:
| TOP 10 | BATTERS | % | STARTERS | % | RELIEVERS | % |
| 1 | Iwamura | 84.6% | Moyer | 63.0% | DiFelice | 56.0% |
| 2 | Scutaro | 83.4% | Pettitte | 64.3% | Wuertz | 57.5% |
| 3 | Giles | 83.3% | Billingsley | 64.3% | Rivera | 59.0% |
| 4 | Ianetta | 82.3% | Lackey | 64.5% | Gregerson | 59.6% |
| 5 | Castillo | 82.1% | Volquez | 64.6% | League | 61.8% |
| 6 | W Harris | 81.1% | Richmond | 64.9% | Grabow | 62.1% |
| 7 | Cameron | 80.5% | Liriano | 65.0% | Albers | 62.4% |
| 8 | Punto | 80.5% | Vargas | 65.0% | O'Day | 62.5% |
| 9 | Willingham | 80.5% | G Gonzalez | 65.1% | Meredith | 62.7% |
| 10 | Zaun | 80.4% | Saunders | 65.2% | Bulger | 63.1% |
Read that as "84.6% of Akinori Iwamura's swings are at pitches in the strike zone." The league average is around 70-72% for all categories. Minimum 100 PA and 40 IP.
| BOTTOM 10 | BATTERS | % | STARTERS | % | RELIEVERS | % |
| 1 | E Alfonzo | 54.6% | Ponson | 85.8% | Dickey | 80.7% |
| 2 | Sandoval | 54.9% | Maine | 81.3% | Lewis | 78.5% |
| 3 | Guerrero | 58.8% | Lilly | 80.4% | Carrasco | 78.4% |
| 4 | B Molina | 59.1% | Colon | 80.0% | J Cruz | 78.4% |
| 5 | E Aybar | 61.3% | Penny | 79.4% | Nelson | 78.1% |
| 6 | Olivo | 61.3% | Sonnanstine | 79.1% | Dotel | 78.1% |
| 7 | Morales | 61.5% | Redding | 78.6% | Stokes | 78.0% |
| 8 | Erstad | 61.6% | Happ | 78.1% | Green | 77.7% |
| 9 | R Diaz | 62.0% | Olson | 78.0% | Hawkins | 77.6% |
| 10 | Soriano | 62.1% | West | 77.8% | McClung | 77.0% |
Having a good percentage isn't that big a deal for hitters. Generally speaking, if you've made it all the way to the Majors with an undisciplined approach, you've probably found a way to compensate for not walking by hitting for average or power. There is a correlation between this percentage and wOBA, but it isn't a strong one. However, it's a bigger deal for pitchers. If you can't get batters to chase stuff out of the zone, then unless you have a really unhittable fastball or something (like David Aardsma!), you're in trouble.
As far as Mariners are concerned, there's nothing too surprising. Garett Olson looks like crap, Jason Vargas looks interesting, and Felix looks good. As for hitters, Hannahan and Gutierrez have the best eyes while Saunders comes in around average and Yuni looks like a damn retard.
1 recs | 8 comments
It's cool when numbers support the general consensus on players. (I.e. Vladimir Guerrero)
Kenny Knows Sports - August 14, 2009
Man, RA Dickey....
The guy with the worst percentage of out-of-zone swings and he’s a knuckleballer. I’d guess that the knuckleball, in general, would generate quite a few OOZ swings. Can’t be a good sign for Dickey.
marc w - August 14, 2009
Wakefield: 77.6%
Dickey last year: 77.9%
I guess the key to the knuckleball isn’t inducing bad contact on pitches out of the zone; it’s inducing bad contact on pitches in the zone.
Jeff Sullivan - August 14, 2009
Well that's counterintuitive.
(Thanks)
marc w - August 14, 2009
So, Dotel's so bad, he makes the list twice?
The Ancient Mariner - August 14, 2009
Fixed, is McClung
Aardsma comes in just behind him at 76.8%.
Jeff Sullivan - August 14, 2009
"As far as Mariners are concerned..."
“…and Yuni looks like a damn retard.”
Oh you silly. Looks like your PTSD is acting up again.
The Typical Idiot Fan - August 15, 2009
Old habits
Jeff Sullivan - August 15, 2009
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