 | Your Junk my Happy Zone | |
| by Brandon Corbett |
There are a lot of good stats you can go with to tell you who the best pitcher is. Most commonly these are ERA, WHIP, and even strike outs, now that innings are controlled by the rotation in WSEM. If you want to crunch numbers a bit more to see exactly what a pitcher is doing, stats like strike out-to-walk ratio (K/BB) and strike outs per inning (KPI) may get tossed into the mix. K/BB is beautiful, because it speaks to a pitcher's 
command. It does not say much about his stuff, though. KPI, on the other hand, tells of dominant stuff. However, when used alone it is flawed in that a pitcher could strike out three batters an inning, which looks phenomenal, but then walk six and give up four runs at the same time - which is the opposite of outstanding.
It is also true that strike outs are not the only arrow in a pitcher's quiver. Many pitchers are good at getting batters to roll over on a pitch for harmless ground outs, or catching batters out front for lazy pop flies. These are not skills to be ignored, but when you talk about "the great pitchers" - the ones you want to run out in the big game - you know you want the guy who will take the game into his hand and mow down batter after batter. The pitcher who puts the ball in play for his defense may get the job done, but he gives the offense a chance with that; the pitcher who strikes out just about everyone does not give the offense any chance.
This is why KPI, despite its blind spot, is a valid stat: intimidation and dominance. There is also a way to erase that blind spot. WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) is the exact counterpoint to KPI: balls out of the zone and balls put in play, unable to be fielded. Therefore, using the simple formula KPI - WHIP does not punish a ground ball or pop fly pitcher (much), while it does bolster the impact of the strike out. Basically, this boils down to: number of unhittable or deceptive balls vs. poorly thrown or well hit balls. It is a way to simultaneously measure "filthiness of stuff" and command.
Zero (0) is even: KPI = WHIP. A "minus" (negative number) is more walks and hits than strike outs per inning. A "plus" (positive number) is more strike outs per inning than walks and hits. Additionally, a KPI - WHIP over 1.00 is considered a "super-plus"; there are seven WSEM pitchers who fall into this "super" category. Let us compare the top ten pitchers of 2012 by KPI - WHIP to Coffee Time's traditionally ranked 2012 top ten pitchers and see how things line up.
Overall, the lists are similar. Eight of ten pitchers show up on both. The most interesting part is who moves where. Craig Skinner jumps from slot 6 on the traditional list to number 2 under KPI - WHIP. Another Belgian-now-Diablo, Chandler Phillips, is also a big mover from 10 on the traditional scale to 6 under KPI - WHIP. Might having played for a "small market team" have effected their four-slot differences? Just asking... Big shifts in the other direction include Sam Hatt, going from 2 on the traditional list to 4 in KPI - WHIP, and Mike Constanti completely disappearing from the KPI - WHIP list 1, while in the fifth slot on the traditional scale.
Many do stay close to home, though. Number one, in every sense, Austin Bischoff holds the first spot on both lists. Evan Bortmas, also, occupies the third slot for both. Dennis Pearson and Adam Cosby flip slots 7 and 8, while Evan Bischoff comes in just one spot shy on KPI - WHIP from his traditional scale rank of number 4.
There is also some vindication in a player like Justin Hughes making his way onto the KPI - WHIP list. Hughes had a great 2012 season, but was overshadowed by his teammates for awards, All-Star votes, talk, and even top ten lists. When it comes down to numbers alone, he finally gets some recognition at number 9.
ERA is an important number to look at, no doubt. It is not going anywhere, and like AVG for hitters it will always be a "go to" stat. It does not tell the entire story, however, and that is why new categories keep popping up to shortcut determining the best. KPI - WHIP is not a "be all, end all" by any means. It does, however, take an intriguing stat in WHIP and add the "dominant stuff" factor into it. Who is the best pitcher? Will stats will ever really tell us that? Or will it all come down to the moment and who rises to the occasion to provide that answer? We will - and should - always try to determine that beforehand, and pinning dominance alongside command is as good a bet as any in determining who is the best of the best.
1 He is at number 11 with a +0.47
command. It does not say much about his stuff, though. KPI, on the other hand, tells of dominant stuff. However, when used alone it is flawed in that a pitcher could strike out three batters an inning, which looks phenomenal, but then walk six and give up four runs at the same time - which is the opposite of outstanding.It is also true that strike outs are not the only arrow in a pitcher's quiver. Many pitchers are good at getting batters to roll over on a pitch for harmless ground outs, or catching batters out front for lazy pop flies. These are not skills to be ignored, but when you talk about "the great pitchers" - the ones you want to run out in the big game - you know you want the guy who will take the game into his hand and mow down batter after batter. The pitcher who puts the ball in play for his defense may get the job done, but he gives the offense a chance with that; the pitcher who strikes out just about everyone does not give the offense any chance.
This is why KPI, despite its blind spot, is a valid stat: intimidation and dominance. There is also a way to erase that blind spot. WHIP (walks and hits per inning pitched) is the exact counterpoint to KPI: balls out of the zone and balls put in play, unable to be fielded. Therefore, using the simple formula KPI - WHIP does not punish a ground ball or pop fly pitcher (much), while it does bolster the impact of the strike out. Basically, this boils down to: number of unhittable or deceptive balls vs. poorly thrown or well hit balls. It is a way to simultaneously measure "filthiness of stuff" and command.Zero (0) is even: KPI = WHIP. A "minus" (negative number) is more walks and hits than strike outs per inning. A "plus" (positive number) is more strike outs per inning than walks and hits. Additionally, a KPI - WHIP over 1.00 is considered a "super-plus"; there are seven WSEM pitchers who fall into this "super" category. Let us compare the top ten pitchers of 2012 by KPI - WHIP to Coffee Time's traditionally ranked 2012 top ten pitchers and see how things line up.
| Traditional Measure | |
| 1. | A. Bischoff |
| 2. | Hatt |
| 3. | Bortmas |
| 4. | E. Bischoff |
| 5. | Constanti |
| 6. | Skinner |
| 7. | Cosby |
| 8. | Pearson |
| 9. | Corbett |
| 10. | Phillips |
| KPI - WHIP | ||
| 1. | A. Bischoff | +2.07 |
| 2. | Skinner | +1.84 |
| 3. | Bortmas | +1.78 |
| 4. | Hatt | +1.56 |
| 5. | E. Bischoff | +1.51 |
| 6. | Phillips | +1.28 |
| 7. | Pearson | +1.04 |
| 8. | Cosby | +0.72 |
| 9. | Hughes | +0.70 |
| 10. | Shore | +0.69 |
Many do stay close to home, though. Number one, in every sense, Austin Bischoff holds the first spot on both lists. Evan Bortmas, also, occupies the third slot for both. Dennis Pearson and Adam Cosby flip slots 7 and 8, while Evan Bischoff comes in just one spot shy on KPI - WHIP from his traditional scale rank of number 4.
There is also some vindication in a player like Justin Hughes making his way onto the KPI - WHIP list. Hughes had a great 2012 season, but was overshadowed by his teammates for awards, All-Star votes, talk, and even top ten lists. When it comes down to numbers alone, he finally gets some recognition at number 9.
ERA is an important number to look at, no doubt. It is not going anywhere, and like AVG for hitters it will always be a "go to" stat. It does not tell the entire story, however, and that is why new categories keep popping up to shortcut determining the best. KPI - WHIP is not a "be all, end all" by any means. It does, however, take an intriguing stat in WHIP and add the "dominant stuff" factor into it. Who is the best pitcher? Will stats will ever really tell us that? Or will it all come down to the moment and who rises to the occasion to provide that answer? We will - and should - always try to determine that beforehand, and pinning dominance alongside command is as good a bet as any in determining who is the best of the best.
1 He is at number 11 with a +0.47
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