SB Nation User Blog: BryanHarvey'sMoustache

2009 Catcher Block Percentage

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:14:49 -0000

SBN Blog Beyond the Boxscore has a great post up as of today in regards to Catcher's Block Percentages in 2009. You can find the post HERE. I believe this article is particularly interesting for Angel fans due to our constant defense (Mathis) vs. offense (Napoli) argument.

The formula to determine how strong a catcher is in regards to blocking balls in the dirt was constructed by SBN poster Dan Turkenkopf formula and apparently is still being tweaked a bit. The basics of it after the jump...

Each wild pitch or passed ball saved is worth .27 runs (based on run expectancy and the timing of the events). Full methodology is described here.

There is more to the formula that I don't fully understand (Im not a statistics whiz). However, it seems that he does take into consideration what exactly defines a "ball in the dirt" and from what I understand, the second chart includes the average distance a catcher sits from the plate. (How the hell do these guys do this sh*t?)

Looking at the first chart Jeff Mathis comes out the better catcher defensively as many of you may expect. His block percentage in both charts is 91% of balls in the dirt. According to this formula, Mathis actually SAVES us 2.8 runs a ~~game~~ season if I understand it correctly. In comparison to Mike Napoli who has a block percentage of 88% and actually COSTS us 0.8 run(s) a game.

It should be noted that Mathis caught almost 100 less innings than Napoli last year which of course gives Napoli a greater degree of error (right? Correct me if Im wrong). It should also be noted that Napoli has pretty much remained the same defensively when using this formula in both 2007 where he was an 88% of pitches blocked and 2008 where he dipped to 83%. Finally, last year, Jeff Mathis was actually at the top of this list with 94% of balls in the dirt blocked.

I would love some input from the HH statheads on this. Im still not even entirely sure what all of this means but thought it was of interest.

Winter League Updates

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:37:06 -0000

In case any of you HH'ers are interested in checking in on all the Angel minor leaguers playing Winter Ball this year, here is the LINK to individual statistics for every player. I had a hell of a time finding them so I thought I would share.

A word of warning though, its not pretty. Players names you might be familar with such as Hank Conger, Freddy Sandoval and Chris Petitt have been collectively stinking the place up with pathetic numbers. However, not all is a loss. Alexi Amarista has saved face for everyone with his .335 BA and respectably .904 OPS in 41 games playing in the Venezuelen Winter League. In addition, Robert Mosebach, who had a good year in AAA and an absolutely horrendous cup of tea in 2009, has so far been holding his own posting 2.70 ERA in 13 innings of work while striking out 10 in the Dominican.

Finally, you may want to note that the only player in the everyday starting lineup for your Los Angeles Angels playing winter ball is also your future leadoff man, Erick Aybar. Looks like Erick just got down to the Dominican though. He is so far 0 for 7 in 2 games. Also, Aybar seems to have finally followed suit with everyone else and snipped those pesky dreads.

I am pretty sure these numbers don't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things. Some may remember Brandon Wood stinking it up last year and getting sent home early to the disappoint of Reagins & co. However, others may remember how Sean Rodriguez was tearing the cover off the ball in Winter League and how that continued throughout his 2009 season for the Bees.

A sign of things to come? You be the judge...

John Lackey: "'I've always been interested in coming here [Boston]..." Look and get angry, over...

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:45:12 -0000

John Lackey: "'I've always been interested in coming here [Boston]..."

Look and get angry, over it, mad...just look.

Screen shot for the video of some new, pop-radio MTV single "Time Me Down" by New Boys featuring...

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:43:10 -0000

Screen shot for the video of some new, pop-radio MTV single "Time Me Down" by New Boys featuring Ray J.

If more of these rappers/R&B singers started sporting Angels hats maybe it would start a trend that would boost sales so we could afford the big contract...

Dear Rev Halofan and/or WiHaloFan...

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:00:42 -0000

Please remove the banner atop of our site that states "Los Angeles We Fly Flags of Anaheim" as quickly as humanly possible. I think it might drive many HH'ers to punch their computer and consequently break a piece of machinery that is probably worth 500-1100 dollars. In doing so, they will no doubt do one or all of the following:

* Curse John Lackey's name as loud as they can

* Scare their children, wife and/or girlfriend or boyfriend, grandma, in-laws, dog, cat and/or pet iguana

* Wake up their neighbors

* Cut down the number of Angel games they go to in 2010 because they had to spend money on a new computer and consequently, not be able to buy those front row seats the first game Lackey pitches in at the Big A in a Red Sux uniform so they can scream profanities until the lose their voice in a drunken, angry haze.

Sincerely,

Bryanharvey'smoustache on behalf of HH'ers everywhere.

Poll

Does your computer still work or did you smash it?

Reagins Dangling Starting Infielders?

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:40:48 -0000

Reagins Dangling Starting Infielders?

In addition to the top link, HERE is a link to another story talking of the same possibility.

Bud Selig to step down in 2012!

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:12:32 -0000

Bud Selig to step down in 2012!

Maybe 2012 isn't really predicted to be the end of the world by the Mayans but the end of biased tyranny amongst east-coast bigwigs in Major League Baseball...

Ha! Who am I kidding??

An Emotional Plea for John Lackey's Return

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:29:59 -0000

I am surprised by the general sentiments that have befallen over fellow HH’ers regarding John Lackey. It seems that many seem rather indifferent over whether we sign Big John or not. Many of the off-season posts are acting as if Lackey is as good as gone. Perhaps, this stems from a lack of confidence in our FO putting up the $ to re-sign him. But I ask you this: How is John Lackey NOT the face of this organization? And why wouldn’t the FO put up the money?

Many of us lament the likely loss of Vlad. It’s an emotional departure and as many have pointed out, he’s been the face of the Angels for the last couple of years. While I deeply love Vlad, I question that sentiment and wonder why Lackey does not seem to share the same love and feverish desire for his return from the fans.

Lest I remind all of you of Lackey’s passion for winning. Or his classic quote of the season, "We win flags." His shit talking on Pedroia in 2008 after losing the ALDS in 2008 or his World Series Game 7 in 2002 as a rookie. Or perhaps, it should be reminded of all of you that he went through our organization and has continued to be the undeniable ACE of our staff for almost 7 years now. Or that despite two seasons in a row starting on the DL, he has returned to put up solid, if not exceptional numbers.

As a baseball player, Lackey has been raised as an Angel. Who else, right now on our team, is that much of a Los Angeles Angel? Even our beloved Scioscia started off in Dodger Blue. Players like Weaver, Saundo and Aybar may soon become the face of the Angels, but right now, Lackey is the complete representation of what our organization attempts to exude: A classy, passionate player, nurtured in the Angels organization, who has a strong desire for winning. Why wouldn’t we sign him?

Finally, because money rules the world at the end of the day, many of you may say that while you want Lackey back, you don’t know if he’s worth the $$$. I don’t know much about the money game but I do know that Lackey has a better ERA than A.J. Burnett, is younger and has more wins despite pitching his entire career so far in the AL. In comparison, it seems like the money should be coughed up for Lackey to keep him in Angel red and have him be, essentially, what Pettitte is to the Skankees.

Vladimir Guerrero on staying in Anaheim

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:55:06 -0000

Vladimir Guerrero on staying in Anaheim as an Angel:

"I'm not thinking so much about the uncertainty, but I'm thinking about my mom and how comfortable she feels in Anaheim. That's always one thing that I'm going to think about regarding free agency. It would be very gratifying to continue to play with the guys I've known here and have gotten used to."

It sounds like Guerrero might be willing to take a huge paycut to stay in Angel red. In fact, I think that is probably the only way the Angels organization would be willing to keep him around. However, considering their actions over Garrett Anderson last year, the FO might pass despite the possibility of a paycut.

What do you think will transpire?

Poll

What will happen with Vlad the Impaler?

Provided he takes a pay cut, he will remain an Angel in 2010

327 votes

Front Office decides to not re-sign Vlad

73 votes

Vlad gets a FAT deal just ensure he heads to HOF with an "A" on his hat

26 votes

426 votes | Poll has closed

Anyone catch good ole Tim McCarver yesterday?

BryanHarvey'sMoustache — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:04:33 -0000

How many more years must we endure this royal ass of a color man?

By now you are all very aware of tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum (Buck and McCarver) drooling over their east coast love dolls that is any player currently playing for a team NOT west of the Mississippi River. We've endured them for years now. It has gotten to a point where we come to expect their BS and hope that our radio's are not ahead of the TV delay or at least the bar is loud enough that they mute the TV and put on close-captioning so we dont have to listen to these fools.

Yesterday though featured probably the worst, or best (depending how you look at it) of McCarver I have ever heard. However, these moments all featured him eating his shoe and looking like a damn fool.

McCarver: Scioscia should replace Kendrick with Izturis for this next at bat.

(Kendrick base-hit.)

McCarver: Izturis was the batter up who failed to lay down a squeeze in the 2008 Division series against Boston last year.

(Izturis bats in Kendrick.)

McCarver: Excuse me, I was mistaken, it was MANNY Aybar who failed to lay down that bunt.

(Aybar gets out...)

McCarver: Not Manny, I meant Willy Aybar who has a brother on the Rays.

HOLY SHIT, McCarver! Pull your head out of your pinstripe shitting ass and get with it buddy! Do more crosswords! It helps fight alzheimers!

Anyone catch this wonderful two-minutes that showcased the bumbling McCarver at his worst?

Poll

Which Angel color-man would you replace Tim McCarver with if you could?

Rex

211 votes

Guby

112 votes

Other (see below)

52 votes

375 votes | Poll has closed