Our Pitchers Can Hit Better Than Yours

Mostly thanks to Big Z the Cubs led the NL in wOBA by pitchers this season. This is an interesting study because it talks about how Z adds almost a win a season with his bat.

over 2 years ago nji232 14 comments 0 recs |

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I was impressed with Harden's bat too

I didn’t see every start he made but he seemed to get a hit at least once a game when I watched. Actually Lilly and Wells hit pretty well too with Dempster doing what he does best with his sacrifices.

by ak123 on Oct 19, 2009 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

in august dempster was raking with the bat

kinda…

"hey

by jesus christos on Oct 19, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Harden is quick to first base

I would love to see him bunt for a hit

"When you're going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill

by vonde6 on Oct 21, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Interesting stuff.

I’d also point out that Bill James, in the interview with Dave Kaplan that I posted here last week, specifically mentioned Big Z’s capacity to win games with his bat as a substantial addition to his value.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 19, 2009 1:18 PM CDT reply actions

If Ted Lilly could hit AT ALL the Cubs pitchers would be even better

But I guess he is trying to be fair and not dominate every aspect of baseball with his superpowers.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 19, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions

If Z were an every day player

he would probably hit 20-25 home runs.

by ChicagoRobb on Oct 19, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions

Possibly.

But he’d also strike out 300 times.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 20, 2009 7:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -

by eths on Oct 20, 2009 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions

This is an interesting study because it talks about how Z adds almost a win a season with his bat.

If he would stop worrying so much about his bat and a little more about what he’s being paid to do he might be worth 7-8 more wins!

I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT

by cubsluver22 on Oct 19, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah but watching Zambrano bat is funner.

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Oct 19, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Or he might not.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 20, 2009 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm glad Z adds a win a season with his bat

because he subtracts three a season with his poor training, refusal to improve mechanics and general idioicy.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Oct 20, 2009 6:50 AM CDT reply actions

The team most likely to represent the NL in the World Series

is 9th out of 16. The team that is down 3-1 is 7th.

The two playoff teams — Cardinals and Rockies — who are ranked higher than the Phillies were knocked out of the first round.

Hitting pitchers are like chocolate sprinkles on a sundae that already has fudge, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. Kinda nice, but not necessary to get the job done.

The 2008 World Champion Phillies somehow managed to muddle through without a single HR by a pitcher and an average .322 OPS among the six pitchers who got more than 15 at-bats.

They are there to pitch.

There is no such thing as an ugly female breast

by Worf on Oct 20, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions