What factors into hitting? Topic

I have two guys:

David Kim - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3062391
Alexander Powell - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3912501

Looking purely at their ratings, you would think that Powel is the better hitter (better vL/vR and contact, similar BE).  However, Kim as done much better in the big leagues so far.  What I'm most confused about is the better OBP and less SO rate.  Does Kim being a swtch hitter make up for Powell's advantages in stats (10 Contact, 27 vL, 26 vR)?  BE is about the same and Kim's speed doesn't contribute to his OBP since his BA is lower.

Is this consistent with what you have experienced for swith hitters?
11/27/2012 6:19 PM
Handedness matters.

I have a formula broken down VR/VL.   It's pretty good at ranking OPS VR/VL.  But there was always an oddball or two that didn't fall in line.   Not sure how long I just kept thinking "Well, screw it, that's just small sample size" and thought nothing more of it.   Ended up they were almost always switch-hitters(who'd overperform) or strong RH whose primary strength was against RH pitchers(underperform).   
11/27/2012 6:25 PM
Oh, and while we're talking about me, can I also get some input on who I should play this year?  I have 4 guys that can play SS or CF
.
Alan Mays - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3287249
Ramon Lee - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3100128
Neal Key - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3705275
Alexander Powell - http://whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3912501

I was thinking Mays primarily at SS with Neal Key spot filling and Powell full time CF with Lee spot filling. 
11/27/2012 6:26 PM
Posted by MikeT23 on 11/27/2012 6:25:00 PM (view original):
Handedness matters.

I have a formula broken down VR/VL.   It's pretty good at ranking OPS VR/VL.  But there was always an oddball or two that didn't fall in line.   Not sure how long I just kept thinking "Well, screw it, that's just small sample size" and thought nothing more of it.   Ended up they were almost always switch-hitters(who'd overperform) or strong RH whose primary strength was against RH pitchers(underperform).   
So this isn't just a matter of small sample size? There is a significant advantage for switch hitters in over performing BE and Contact (more BB and less SO)? Or it's not really over performing. I'm going to check their splits this year. Should I expect Powell to do significantly better than Kim vL but Kim will make up the difference vR?
11/27/2012 6:33 PM
From what I've observed, it's not small sample size.   A SH has the advantage of almost always facing the pitcher's weaker arsenal(there are some "reverse" pitchers).   Is it significant?   Meh.   But it's noticeable.
11/27/2012 6:36 PM
I love guys who can go either way.
11/27/2012 7:02 PM
(sound of pin setter setting down ten pins and a ball rolling ominously in the distance, growing louder.)
11/27/2012 9:22 PM
Using my formula, I would figure Powell to be a .267-.320-.450 hitter.  In HBD reality he's .262-.322-.455.  He's right on track.

I would have Kim at .245-.305-.470.  He's at .259-.330-.473.  Close!  I think his OBP is higher than expected because his Temper is so low.  Guys like that get beaned a lot.  I'll bet he is near the league lead in HBP.  And he has nice speed, so he's going to leg out so IF hits...and stretch some singles into doubles.

As well, he's a 99 Makeup guy...they almost always overproduce at the plate.  As well, I've found guys with Contact/vL/vR numbers in the 50 range, plus a bit of power, tend to have decent multi-year numbers.  They can have considerable  year-to-year fluctuation.....but over time they produce.

Here are two guys in the Kim template:

WilfredoHernandez used to be mine.  DustySalmon currently is. 

In my experience, Kim has the better hitting numbers.  If he had a multi-positional glove he would be worth paying quite a bit for for.  I just re-upped Salmon at 3X$5M, because he can play everyposition (except catcher) on the field...and he can hit a bit.

I originally signed Salmon at the very end of the FA period for 1X$1.2M...nobody wanted him.  And I'll point out, that at the age of 28, with 10 pro years, he just increased 2 pts (insignificant, I know) in his vL numbers.  99 Makeup guys are worth having.
11/28/2012 11:51 AM
What factors into hitting? Topic

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