So, I’ve really gotten into Pitch F/x data lately. If you don’t know what in the hell I’m talking about, then you should click here.
Ok.. So, obviously when you start checking that out or if you know what it is, you’re going to naturally think: “Yeah, I can watch baseball games & I know that Johan Santana has a nasty changeup”.. This is true. However, what you may not know is exactly what makes that changeup so nasty. You can’t tell me how many inches of movement he has on it both vertically & horizonally. The next thing you might say to me is: “Why do I need to know that? It’s obvious that he strikes out alot of batters with it, it’s a good pitch”. Again, you would be right. But, if the announcers didn’t tip you off, could you tell me if his changeup was working really well that game & also why it was/wasn’t working as well?
At this point, you’ve either clicked off of this page or you’re sitting there stroking your chin in thought & wanting to learn more about this & figure out all of these things. You may be heading off to analyze all sorts of pitchers right now, which you can with that Pitch F/x tool that I linked you to at the beginning of this post. Or maybe you’re going on & thinking: “Why should I worry about this stuff?”
I have the reason why: Whether you are a baseball fan or a geek, Pitch F/x data is for YOU. This is the future of baseball stats. You can look at all of the ERA, WHIP & baseball games that you want & you can’t get a better grip on how a pitcher is or what makes him good than checking this out. Not to mention that analyzing pitchers this way is fun & interesting! Whether you’re old school or you’re always up for something new, you should check out Pitch F/x data & check out the difference between a day where Zack Greinke throws a complete game, 1 ER gem & a day where Greinke gives up 6 ER.
Pitch F/x gives you insight like NEVER before, I just don’t see how that can be denied. Do you really HAVE to know this stuff? Ofcourse not. But, it’s the wave of the future. It’s what more than a few baseball fans & geeks alike will be talking about before too terribly long & I say jump on the bandwagon. Knowledge never hurt anyone. Hide from knowledge at the expense of your own fun.
