Just for fun: The pitches Zack used

by slayor on Aug 27, 2009 3:49 AM EDT Comment 11 comments

I compiled this by going through gameday manually and looking at each pitch, the automated pitch classification is very poor.

Zack threw:

117 total pitches:

11 changeups (9.4%)
19 curveballs (16.2%) - at velocities from 68mph to 79mph. The two curveballs he didn't throw in that range: 71, and 72mph.
23 sliders (19.7%)
64 fastballs (54.7%)

So basically, he was throwing an offspeed pitch very nearly every other pitchc, that was going to be somewhere between 68 and 90 mph.

I just found this fascinating. That is all. I apologize for blatant mistakes in advance, it is almost 3am.

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found one

The curveballs came in velocities from 68 to 79 mph, but there were two not in that range: 71 and 72 mph. Seems to me that’s within that range.

Also, I thought I should note the eery similarity between video game Greinke and real Greinke. I have been playing MLB2K9, and in two games so far, I’ve thrown 15 strikeouts in each game with him. One ND for Greinke and one L. Guy can’t buy a break, even in fake reality.

by powderbluepower on Aug 27, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

poor guy.

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Aug 27, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This was a typical Olivo called game

And it worked out for him because Zack was incredibly sharp. I can’t help but think he would have cut off somewhere between 15-25 pitches if he wouldn’t have been so predicable. I still think Zack would have more success (hard to imagine, huh?) if we would showcase the fastball more and work off that.

Zack was golden this night… but I can’t help but think if he would have had a Jason Varitek behind the plate, he would have thrown a no-no and possible perfection.

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Aug 27, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Easy solution:

Butler for Brad Ausmus.

by billexgordler on Aug 28, 2009 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't catchers get the call from the dugout for each pitch?

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 27, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

maybe some do

but not the Best Catcher in the World™

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

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by Matt Klaassen on Aug 27, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That rarely happens.

When they look to the dugout, they are usually looking for signs for the infield defense.

by AxDxMx on Aug 27, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I asked Nick Derba from the Springfield Cards last Sunday

He said that he calls every pitch. I know that a lot of colleges follow this same process. I try to teach my catchers how to call a game but I still have a wrist band they were that I can give them specific pitches if I feel they need the guidance.

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Aug 27, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs