- Jun 8, 2016
- 16,118
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The run expectancy charts for softball and baseball are not much different qualitatively despite these perceived differences..the games themselves are pretty different, though.......speed is such a huge factor, small ball is more in play (although power is taking over) you have pitchers who can dominate and pitch far more often than in baseball......i think these factors, amongst others, make lineup optimization a far more important aspect than in baseball
how much more is open to debate, but i think it is a bigger factor
Anyway here is the "optimal baseball lineup" according to the analysis.
1 Highest OBP on team; Speed is important but ability to get on base matters much more
2 Highest wRC+ on team; Very high OBP; Best overall batter on the team; Must be consistent and balanced
3 Good overall batter; High wRC+; Less important than #5 spot; Likely 4th best hitter overall
4 Most powerful hitter on the team: Must have very high SLG%, HR, ISO
5 Good overall batter with extra emphasis on power. High wRC+; High SLG%; More important than #3 spot; Like 3rd best hitter overall
6 Average/good overall batter with emphasis on baserunning; high OBP and SB
7 Average overall hitter
8 Average overall hitter
9 Worst hitter on the team; likely the pitcher in NL games
Here is the "typical" lineup they compared to:
1 Fastest player on the team; running ability is the most important quality
2 All about bat control; this player likely isn’t your best; they just need to make consistent contact and advance the leadoff baserunner before the big boys take the plate
3 Likely the best overall hitter on the team; highest batting average and very high RBI; should be able to drive in the leadoff hitter
4 The coveted clean-up spot; the most powerful hitter on the team; slugging ability is more important than ability to get on base or consistency
5 Good hitter with strong RBI numbers
6 Average hitter with reasonable RBI numbers
7 Average hitter; often the weakest baserunner on the team
8 Average hitter; ability to make contact is prioritized; backup for #2 spot
9 Worst hitter on the team; likely the pitcher in NL games
wRC stat:
wRC and wRC+
Weighted Runs Created (wRC) is an improved version of Bill James’ Runs Created (RC) statistic, which attempted to quantify a player’s total offensive value and measure it by runs. In Runs Created…
library.fangraphs.com
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