Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
April 20, 2008
Inside Bannister

Larry Stone writes a terrific piece in the Seattle Times on Brian Bannister's use of statistics:

"I appreciate all the guys who publish that material, because it kind of inspired me to realize there's more to the game than just the box score in the paper," Bannister said. "I just try to use it to see how I can make myself a better player.

"I take the stats out there, and I make my own stats. Most guys are using them for the purpose of projection. I'm using them for the purpose of changing the future projections. I want to find my weaknesses and find which stats will help me do that, and change my pitching style accordingly."

Now here's the rub: Bannister's style is such that stats analysts will tell you he is due for a fall in 2008. And he knows exactly why. His goal this year -- utterly successful so far -- is to defy his own expected demise.

He's trying to use his strengths to cover his weaknesses, a wise strategy. The whole article is well worth the read.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:39 AM | Pitchers | TrackBack (0)
Comments

Reminds me of Curt Schilling...another top notch pitcher that's interested in stats.

Posted by: Devon Young at April 20, 2008 01:06 PM

But both of them had said they're not really focusing on strikeouts. I just don't understand what stats they're looking at to come to the conclusion that they're better off "pitching to contact" than trying to get whiffs. Maybe that's how they keep their walks low? I dunno.

Posted by: Mike at April 20, 2008 01:23 PM

As I understand it, "pitching to contact" is supposed to make you a more efficient pitcher. You use less pitches, thus can pitch longer in the game. You save wear and tear on your arm, and you help save the relievers some innings on their arms.

It doesn't always work, because Roy Oswalt decided to start pitching to contact last season, and he just hasn't been the same since. His ERA has gone up, his contact appears to be rather hard hits and more HRs, and because of that, he's pitching less and forcing the bullpen to work more.

Posted by: John Royal at April 20, 2008 02:30 PM

Joe Posnanski has been following this story all season, in fact he does a Bannister watch on his blog after every start. Bannister is definitely thinking outside the box.

Posted by: s1c at April 20, 2008 05:59 PM
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