I'm really not surprised by the success, once again. "Fielding Independent Pitching" is a well tested theory in sabermetrics.
"Fielding Independent Pitching converts a pitcher's three true outcomes into an ERA-like number. The formula is (13*HR+3*BB-2*K)/IP, plus a constant (usually around 3.2) to put it on the same scale as ERA."
The only stats pitchers have control over is homeruns allowed, walks, and strikeouts. Hits are mostly dependent on the defense playing behind the pitcher. If you could field a team of all shortstop like players with pitchers that have great velocity, great control, terrific pitches, and a better groundball to flyball number, you could really limit hits. L/R splits still count for something (you never want to go below 50/50) but the more I analyze the more I realize that FIP is a great stat to keep track of.

I appreciate all the responses. I do hold a lot of value in the groundball/flyball ratio, since I have a home run friendly ballpark. I also like pitchers with good control. But one thing I never paid as much attention to is the quality of the first pitch. I generally looked at overall quality of all the pitches together. This is something I will look at more going forward.

I've also looked at vL/vR splits but a lot of pitchers don't seem to follow what the ratings are. I've had at least one pitcher that was something like 75 vL and 55 vR but he had a significantly lower opponent's BA vs righties.

Dodger, I understand the value of FIP in real life as it is fairly well proven that pitchers have little/no control over opposing hitters BABIP.  However, I was under the impression that vL & vR were reflective of a pitcher's BABIP. In that case wouldn't it render the premise upon which FIP is founded invalid?

Posted by collegeinn on 2/8/2012 12:38:00 AM (view original):
Dodger, I understand the value of FIP in real life as it is fairly well proven that pitchers have little/no control over opposing hitters BABIP.  However, I was under the impression that vL & vR were reflective of a pitcher's BABIP. In that case wouldn't it render the premise upon which FIP is founded invalid?

^ This.

If Control dictates walks
And Velocity dictates Ks
What do splits dictate? BABIP

Same for hitting
If BE dictates walks
And Contact dictates Ks
And Power dictates Extra Base Hits
Then all that's left for splits to dictate is BABIP.     

Posted by txchilidog on 2/7/2012 12:48:00 AM (view original):
I appreciate all the responses. I do hold a lot of value in the groundball/flyball ratio, since I have a home run friendly ballpark. I also like pitchers with good control. But one thing I never paid as much attention to is the quality of the first pitch. I generally looked at overall quality of all the pitches together. This is something I will look at more going forward.

I've also looked at vL/vR splits but a lot of pitchers don't seem to follow what the ratings are. I've had at least one pitcher that was something like 75 vL and 55 vR but he had a significantly lower opponent's BA vs righties.

"Dont seem to follow what the ratings are."  Welcome to HBD.

I look at VL, VR first in a pticher. But what do I know, im just a newb

Ive come across a dozen of pitchers this year that make me throw my hands up and say "of course he's doing great"  while pitchers with better ratings were getting ruined. 

I know L/R are important. Never saw the relation to splits and BABIP. I do have to wonder...how much difference does defense play? If you have a groundball pitcher, but a defense full of shortstops/defensive catcher, would the pitcher be helped out even if he was sub 50's in split?