In just under 11 IP, Blake Wood looks like a totally different pitcher than last year.  Yes, it's early... and 11 innings are a very small sample.  However, Wood's numbers are dramatically better so far in 2011.  What's he doing differently?  Is it sustainable?

You might remember that last year, Wood was pretty awful.  He threw hard enough, but didn't strike anyone out. And since he wasn't exactly a ground ball machine, he was basically ineffective as as reliever.

But now it's 2011...

Here are the stat differences:

The numbers below are K/9, BB/9, HR/9

2010 (roughly 50 IP): 5.62/3.99/1.09

2011 (roughly 11 IP): 7.59/1.69/0.84

Okay, more strikeouts and less walks - that's clearly a good thing.  But there's another big difference as well... ground ball rate.  In 2010, it was 51.2%.  So far in 2011 - 58.8%.  

Wood is billed as more of a ground ball pitcher than a strikeout guy (which is strange since he can throw 99 supposedly).  And while he's definitely increased his ground ball rate to a reasonable level, he's also increased the strikeouts.  Both increases will lead to greater success.

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I need a distraction from the debacle that is the Royals.  I was watching Ubaldo Jimenez look amazing once again tonight (albeit slightly inefficient with his pitches) and it got me thinking about what current pitchers I'd really like to have if I was starting a team.

My three:  Greinke, Lincecum, Jimenez

Next on my list was Felix Hernandez and you will certainly get no argument from me if he's one of your three.  The pool I chose from also included Verlander, Hanson, Kershaw, and Josh Johnson.  I stayed away from guys nearing or over 30 but you could also make a case for someone like Halladay, Wainwright, Sabathia, or Haren.  I think it's too early to pick someone like Strasburg or Chapman.

Who would you pick?

I've spent some time recently reading up on some of more complex statistics out there and it sparked some questions and ideas that I thought might resonate with the readers of this site.  I'll start with a couple questions and then move on to my idea for a stats project.

1)  The original makeup of wOBA does not include an allowance for stolen bases or SB%.  However, I've seen work on this site by Devil Fingers, where he says he's accounted for SBs in his wOBA.  When you see a wOBA quoted, can you assume that it takes into account SBs?  Is that now the generally accepted practice?

2)  There is a statistical advantage to hitters in certain defensive alignments, such as when the infield is in double play depth or playing against the bunt.  Essentially, in certain situations, the adage about runners on base causing havoc for the pitcher/defense can hold true.  Is this statistical advantage used in calculations, such as wOBA?  If not, how can defensive alignment be incorporated into an analysis of a hitter?

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I tried to give what I deem are the most likely moves.  These are the Royals however so they'll probably do something absurd like trade Kila for 2 washed up veteran middle relief guys to provide bullpen leadership.

I assume if there are multiple moves, they will all involve colon.  I'd love to see about 7 moves made including dumping 3-4 relievers.  That would be far too progressive for this team though.  I'm sure at most we'll get a Colon DFA for Waechter even though Rosa and Hayes absolutely need to get the call - not that I have an issue with Waechter, but doubt he'll be back next year.

This just in from the Royals marketing gurus:

"After a disappointing first half of the season, the Kansas City Royals have decided to recreate their slogan for the second half.  This new slogan will better represent the direction in which the team is now headed.  We know that our fans are the best in the game and want to give you all a chance to contribute to the success that is certainly brewing in the upcoming months and years.   Please choose one of the new slogans below and Go Royals!"

It's difficult for me to not follow the Royals closely every year because they are by far my favorite sports team.  This year though, I may have to figure out a way to distract myself for the rest of this season.  The team is legitimately THAT bad.  I find myself seething like an angst ridden goth teen after every single loss - and some wins as well.  

The problems on this year's team are numerous and well documented.  Perhaps the worst part of all of it is that due to Washington's historically awful record, the Royals won't even be able to draft Bryce Harper.  Nevertheless, I actually think the Royals are currently worse than the Nationals.

After tonight's contest (I use that term loosely since it implies the Royals actually can compete against other MLB teams) the Royals have a minus 68 run differential.  While the Nationals do have a minus 105 run differential, they have actually scored 23(!) more runs than the Royals.  That is nothing less than pathetic.  I did notice that the Padres are the only team to score less than the Royals this year, but San Diego is an extreme pitcher friendly park and the Padres do have Adrian Gonzalez -  who is as good as any TWO Royals hitters combined ( and seven or eight Royals shortstops). 

Royals management, when not busy attempting to curb First Amendment rights, does nothing to forestall the feeling of hopelessness that pervades my being while watching this team.  They have taken absolutely zero responsibility for this year's debacle.  If it wasn't for the new stadium and Greinke, this might have been the worse year ever for this franchise (and still might be when all is said and done).  

In addition, the utter lack of action from management to do anything to you know, improve, this team further infuriates the rapidly diminishing fan base.  It's flat out embarrassing that a team that ranks 13th in the AL in OBP won't call up one of the most patient hitters in the minor leagues.  Does Jacobs really deserve to be playing over Kila at this point?  How about giving Lisson a shot at SS?  He can't be worse than TPJ or Hernandez and at least he was a prospect at one point.  (Note to Royals Management:  A prospect according to Merriam-Webster is a likely candidate for a job or position - not sure you actually are aware of that definition.)

The bullpen this year has also bordered on tragic.  If only the Royals had a competent reliever who would be fun to watch, had outstanding minor league numbers, blogs, and would be am immediate fan favorite.  Disco might not be welcome on the Royals though, he does know how to turn on a computer.

The sad thing is that I could probably write pages on the ineptitude we as fans have witnessed this year.  Nevertheless, much of the nauseating "accomplishments" of the Royals have been well covered by bloggers and (some of) the media.  I'll leave you with this public service announcement:  If you are a fan and you actually care about this team; for the sake of your mental welfare, find a new hobby.

Fangraphs hasn't updated the advanced statistics yet for today, so I'm going to use some less sophisticated measures below.  Still, I think my point will be apparent.

After today's nicely pitched game (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) Ponson now has a moderately respectable line of 23.1 IP, 26 H, 15 ER, 10 BB, 17 K.  This line includes the 3.1 IP in Cleveland where he gave up 6 ER, 8 H, and 4 BB.  His 3 other starts equate to 20 IP, 18 H, 9 ER, 6 BB, 15 K which looks quite a bit more enticing.  

Here are 4 other interesting lines for your amusement:

19.1 IP, 23 H, 20 ER, 15 BB, 18 SO

16 IP, 22 H, 13 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO

15.2 IP, 16 H, 13 ER, 9 BB, 11 SO

15.2 IP, 19 H, 11 ER, 9 BB, 6 SO

Any guesses what those are?  Yep - those are the other 4 non-Santana starters for the Mets.  Think they could use a guy like Ponson about now in their spacious new ballpark?  I certainly do.

While Ponson could improve his overall numbers due to the poor Cleveland showing, his value will not likely be much higher after today's nicely pitched game.

Trade him.  Call up Hochevar.  If there is an injury or someone becomes ineffective you still have HoRam in the pen who can start and Duckworth and Phillips/Dinardo in the minors.

Go after the team in desperate need of pitching help - you may actually get a B level prospect.

Perlata struck out the side again today making that 8 Ks in his last 3 IP.  Although it's a small sample size to date, it does remind you a bit of his 2007 season (3.79 FIP).  So what happens if he continues to pitch this well for the next couple weeks?  He has no options left - so does he make the team?  If so, who's the odd man out?

Here's how I see the 2009 Bullpen situation shaping up so far:

Locks:  Soria, Cruz, Mahay, Farnsworth

That leaves 3 spots for:  Gobble, Bale, Tejeda, Waechter, Peralta, Rosa, Villarreal, Duckworth, Wright, and Lowery

Not making the team:  Villarreal, Wright, and Duckworth are on minor league contracts and will provide pitching depth in Omaha.  Rosa is a stud but has options so we'll probably see him during the year, but he starts in Omaha.  I believe Lowery has options, but even if not, he's not making the big club.

Realistically then that leaves:  Gobble, Bale, Tejeda, Waechter, and Perlata for 3 spots.

Wow.  There is actually legitimate competition for those final 3 spots!  I actually think all those guys deserve to be on a major league roster.

- Bale would have been a lock until his thyroid surgery, now I see him as a possible DL candidate to start the season.  Otherwise if healthy, he makes the team.

- Tejeda is too good and too much of a strikeout pitcher to not make the team.  I believe he is a lock as well.

- Gobble is the LOOGY and it seems management finally realizes this.  Given the talk that has made its way into the papers and such, I think he's got a pretty good shot to make the team.

- Peralta has been a strikeout machine of late and is making a real case for himself.

- Waechter hasn't really pitched due to illness but is signed to a 640k contact.  If released, the Royals would only owe 157k of that, but he does have a decent major league resume.

The way I see it then is that Tejeda, Gobble, and Bale would have had the final 3 except that Bale may end up on the DL.  If that's the case I see Peralta getting the nod over Waechter at this point.  It's possible that the Royals jettison Gobble if Bale is healthy, in which case I think whoever has had the better spring between Perlata and Waechter makes the team.  If Bale is on the DL, I don't see anyway that Gobble is not on the roster.

I hope Peralta continues to pitch well and make this a difficult choice for the Royals.  (I'm also assuming HoRam is not a legitimate bullpen candidate if he were to get beat out for a starter spot.  With the way the bullpen is shaping up, it's almost a lock that either Banny or Hochevar ends up in Omaha.)