Using obp and slugging percentage to make up the lineup

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Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
Maybe, but you would agree that OPB and slugging is the correct way? Your position is that it is correct but it may or may not yield a significant results is baffling. If it just leads to ONE extra win per season why would you not do it?

If you can generate one extra win by optimizing the lineup, and if you can generate one extra win by always bunting in the correct scenarios (and not bunting when you shouldn't) as a coach you are actually making a difference.

The converse is going by your gut and eyeball test...that's just ego in my opinion. You shouldn't coach by statistics and analytics only, but you need to be informed.

If I set my lineup optimally and the other coach does not now I have a small advantage in that game. If the other coach steals when they shouldn't I have another small advantage there. Add up enough of those advantages in one game and now we are talking about meaningful differences that will affect the outcome of that game.

As you pointed out it doesn't guarantee victory every game but if you do it enough times over enough games you will win more games.

I agree with you, but I also agree with JAD that the sample sizes are just too small in many cases. You'd have to regress the data so much that I'm not sure just how much more useful it is than the eye test (since I'm pretty sure nobody here has exit velocity on balls in play or anything like that).

That said, K rate and BB rate normalizes a lot faster than everything else. Assuming reasonable, consistent competition, I don't think it would take too many games to be able to figure out who on the team struggles with making contact/plate discipline/pitch recognition and who doesn't. That's not everything, but it's something.
 
Feb 15, 2013
650
18
Delaware
OBP, SLG%, BAVG and my favorite "who gets the job done with runners on" Doesn't matter if it's a bunt, sac fly, double or whatever. these players should be credited.
 
May 30, 2013
1,442
83
Binghamton, NY
when Ive coached inthe past,
I kept batting stats l, and certainly considerd them when setting lineups.

I always divided the stats I kept into two datasets: vs avg/bad pitching, and vs good/great pitching.

why? especially at the younger ages, a kid can absolutely crush balls at a certain speed with little movement, but then take a disporportionate nose-dive against faster velocity/better movement and/or change of speeds.
 
Oct 16, 2008
164
18
SE Michigan
I also consider base running. The bonus bases from stealing, advancing on C bobbles, taking the extra base, drawing pick off throw errors, etc are often unappreciated but very valuable to an offense. We've all seen players who once they get to 1st seem to score almost all the time. I'm not saying this is as important as obp and slg but still should be considered.
 
Feb 13, 2015
164
18
What I don't like about stats is this:

Batter 1 takes 3 balls and battles off 5 or 6 foul balls then get called strike 3 on a bad pitch. She gets the backward K.

Batter 2 watches 2 down the middle strikes the swings at a ball that bounces off the plate. She gets a K.

Batter 2 shows better stats than batter 1.
 

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