OT-- Kevin Youkilis: odd stats are evidence of a really smart hitter

by ExNorthsider on Jun 5, 2009 12:32 PM CDT

Interesting stats from 2006 through 2008. Is Youkilis the only guy in MLB history to increase his batting average, homers and RBI total each year for three consecutive years while decreasing his walks total in each of those 3 years?

It's odd-- but I suppose it is evidence of a pretty smart hitter who has been able to learn something new each year. I love walks, but for a guy like Youkilis, results seem to be better the more he swings the bat.

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And despite the decrease in walks...

… no decrease in OBA. Youkilis is a really good and smart hitter.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 5, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

he also played in the WBC

and this season has not slumped out the gate. Does he help to prove that the WBC is not the great stat killer that so many say it is?

baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out

by Cubbie-Tim on Jun 5, 2009 12:46 PM CDT reply actions

Does this mean...

….he is no longer “The Greek God of Walks”?

But seriously – yes, he’s the real deal, one of those people who it’s just a pleasure to watch play.

"[I]f we get a Jumbotron, I can't pull the instant replay thing on all the rookies. Every time there's a good play, we're like, 'Oh, look at the replay,' and you get the rookies to look at the scoreboard." - Ryan Dempster, 2 January 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Jun 5, 2009 12:48 PM CDT reply actions

Amusingly

This was gonna be my question. Nice ref.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Jun 5, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

the batted ball data

is the interesting stuff

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1935&position=1B/3B#battedball

as his BB’s have declined his LD% has increased. What seems to have happened is Youkilis has changed his approach after pitchers started just firing first pitch strikes knowing he’d take to work the count. So instead of allowing P’s to get ahead with first pitch strikes, he switched from 06 to 08 and started punishing pitchers early in the count. This is evident in his P/PA data that shows a steady decline from 2006 to 2008.

What’s interesting is he’s back to working the count more here in 09 AND maintaining the highest LD Rate of his career, almost as if he’s figured out the perfect balance between the two approaches (after having success with each one individually)

He’s a remarkable hitter and for now he’s also benefiting from some tremendous luck (.436 BABIP), which is why this years numbers look so absurd

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jun 5, 2009 1:08 PM CDT reply actions

Excellent observations

Wish I had his skills.

"These are terrible times, and I shouldn't joke about them." --Warren Zevon

by ExNorthsider on Jun 5, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice Jewish boys are smart

"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux

by Doggie Stalker on Jun 5, 2009 1:36 PM CDT reply actions

These numbers are hard proof that he is on steroids.

It’s so obvious especially at an age when he should be in decline. 50 bucks says he spends time on the DL before he retires.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Jun 5, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

You forgot you sarasm sign. Some people might think that you are serious about that comment.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Jun 5, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

What more evidence do you need? Here is a side-by-side comparison of how his body has unnaturally grown.

First, as a skinny call-up WITH HAIR

And now? A bald ’roided up manimal!

Use your eyes people! Blackball this record-tainter before he can tarnish the Hall of Fame legacy!

by Jerry Mumphrey on Jun 5, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions

And you are really serious? Just askin'....

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Jun 5, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

OK fine, it's sarcasm.

I was just feeling the fever from the Sosa threads.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Jun 5, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

well played.

ISWYDT.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 5, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Al Yellon and Kevin Youklis were separated at birth

You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little messed up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

by BLou on Jun 5, 2009 3:29 PM CDT reply actions

LMAO

And about 20 years.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 5, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Most of the time...

…pitchers are adjusting to hitters vs the opposite, because most hitters lock up when they do anything but react at the plate. When you can think your way through AB’s (and Youkilis obviously does), it is a fun thing to watch.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jun 5, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions