SB Nation User Blog: Zach Sanders

Edgar Martinez > Don Mattingly

Zach Sanders — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:14:45 -0000

Edgar Martinez > Don Mattingly

Daniel Moroz examines the HOF chances of Edgar Martinez and Don Mattingly

Pitch f/x: Roy Halladay's Fastballs

Zach Sanders — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:28:53 -0000

Pitch f/x: Roy Halladay's Fastballs

A Dave Allen-esque look at Roy Halladay's fastball and cutter locations.

The player isn't really important, just the graph type. Flight paths now w/ plate and strike zone!...

Zach Sanders — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:32:19 -0000

The player isn't really important, just the graph type. Flight paths now w/ plate and strike zone! Thanks to Harry for answering questions regarding it's creation, and creating the original template in the first place.

A look at the differences in changeups for 3 young guns in the majors. If you want fastball and...

Zach Sanders — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:31:37 -0000

A look at the differences in changeups for 3 young guns in the majors.

If you want fastball and breaking ball comparison's on these three starters, as well, then go here

A Change of Scenery

Zach Sanders — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 22:10:32 -0000

A Change of Scenery

Over at BDD, I took at look at the changes of defenses behind some traded pitchers.

A Look at Plate Discipline and Walk Rates

Zach Sanders — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:50:39 -0000

A Look at Plate Discipline and Walk Rates

A look at swing rates and Pi/PA, broken into groups and compared with wOBA

Pitch F/x: Clayton Mortensen

Zach Sanders — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:01:32 -0000

Pitch F/x: Clayton Mortensen

A look at Clayton Mortensen (part of the Holliday trade) in Pitch F/x. He only has 3 big league innings, but it's nice to take a look at the break of his pitches.

On the average, the run value of a high inside fastball is -.001 where minus is good for the...

Zach Sanders — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:03:50 -0000

On the average, the run value of a high inside fastball is -.001 where minus is good for the pitcher. The run value of a low outside fastball is +.001. In other words, the run value of the former is better than the run value of the latter.

Now, put all pitch sequence and game theory stuff aside.

In an average situation against an average batter, where those run values above absolutely apply, which pitch should a pitcher attempt to throw, and why?

MGL - Inside the Book Blog

The answer I gave, which MGL later said to be correct is: Low and away.

Your phrasing: "which pitch should a pitcher attempt to throw, and why?" The key word is attempt. If you make a mistake down and away, you probably won’t get burned as much as if you make a mistake going up.

If he has perfect control, then by all means take the one which the better value, but there is human error involved.

Cubs Sign B.J. Ryan

Zach Sanders — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:05:34 -0000

Cubs Sign B.J. Ryan

Good luck w/ that one, guys. Ryan has a 7.57 FIP this year, and a .76 K/BB. Yuck.

Can he even be a good LOOGY at this point?

Pitch F/x: David Price's Slider

Zach Sanders — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:16:42 -0000

Pitch F/x: David Price's Slider

The Rays party gives some detail into David Price's slider this year.