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Working Quickly: Does It Help?

The Hardball Times' Mike Fast (a terrifically apropos name) has an article out today that looks at the speed at which a pitcher works and checks to see if there is an correlation to the defensive support that pitcher receives. It's an old baseball adage that pitcher's who work quickly are a defender's best friend, and get better defense, while pitcher's who work slower tend to get their defender's flat-footed and complacent, which results in the slower pitchers getting poorer defense behind them. As Cub fans we've heard this debate in past; concerning Carlos, as to whether or not it's good for him to work fast, and concerning Dempster, as to whether or not his apparently quicker pace has played a significant role in his amazing resurgence. Fast draws some interesting conclusions, to wit:

For the bulk of the pitches thrown between 11 and 50 seconds after the previous pitch, there doesn't seem to be much of an effect. However, at the extremes, the pitches thrown within 10 seconds after the previous pitch have a notably lower BABIP (.281), and the pitches thrown more than 50 seconds after the previous pitch have a much higher BABIP (.366). This finding is definitely noteworthy, but further investigation is needed to determine how much of the disparity is due to defensive play and how much is due to other situational differences.

That's interesting, but here's our bit: the Cubs rank second among fast-working staffs, with Jon Leiber being the fastest at 17.8 second between pitches, and yet, as cwyers noted over at GROTA, the Cubs infield defense hasn't really been that great.

So, here's what I want to know:  what do you think of Fast's study?

 

 

 

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Well I think we know who the fastest is

If anyone watched Maddux’s last start on Tuesday there was a classic only Maddux
moment. He struck out with two out to end the inning but the catcher, Russell Martin dropped the ball and had to stand up and tag Maddux, Maddux then asked him for the ball and trotted out to the mound. He does not even want to wait for someone to throw him the ball and has been known to bark at catchers for not throwing the ball back fast enough Only guy I ever saw who was faster was Kaat. That guy was just insane. I dont’ think
he held a ball for two seconds before throwing it.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 12, 2008 8:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I've always thought of MAddux as a fast worker, too,

but he’s not even the fastest guy on his team! Randy Wolf is, at 19.2 seconds between pitches.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 12, 2008 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It does not take into account throws to 1st

If it did Trachel would surely be #1 probably at an average of two minutes between pitches

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 12, 2008 8:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL!

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 12, 2008 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It helps if you have good stuff :)

If you aren’t a good pitcher pitching faster or slower isn’t going to help.

by jeff_pico on Jun 12, 2008 9:02 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It all comes down to setting the tempo.

If you can set the tempo of a game in any sport… you’re a step ahead.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jun 12, 2008 11:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Z works pretty fast

Lieber does too. If you have your best stuff ont he given day, I don’t see it being a problem. Keep them on their toes, though any decent hitter would step out of the box if the pitcher was working too fast. Also, didn’t the league impose a new rule this year to try to get pitchers to work faster?

by siwook on Jun 13, 2008 8:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Well, if you read Fast's article,

he notes the rule, which states there can only be a 12 second gap between the time the pitcher receives the ball and the time he delivers the next pitch. I think it’s pretty clear that rule is not being strictly enforced.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jun 13, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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