Really appreciate your analysis, David. I'm just not as much of a numbers geek to dig in like this, so thanks for laying it out there. I am more likely to watch the games and observe performances and outcomes (decidedly less scientific). In watching the young pitchers last year, there was something about Bubic that impressed me. Yes, he had bad outings, and looking at your analysis you can see improvement needed. The thing that seemed to stand out with him, though, was a bulldog mentality. There were times he struggled, yet he looked anxious to take the ball and persevere. I may have read too much into it, but really liked his attitude. Hopefully he can make the adjustments and pair ability with attitude and help lead this staff. Next to Carlos Hernandez I am most anxious to see Bubic this year.
I'm a big Bubic fan. He's very advanced analytically and uses the numbers to his advantage, which I think gives him an edge over some other pitchers on the staff. I won't name names, but there's a lot of music puns when I write about him. And I agree he does seem like that bulldog. He's talented, tenacious and smart as hell. It's a good combination.
I am sad to say you are right, they are going to give the early season at bats to Dozier and O'Hearn and Cam over DJ :( . Even though MJ had just as good or better of a year as Bobby and would help out our lineup a lot from the jump, or at least get MJ up and going through his adjustment period sooner the better to help us truly compete this year and beyond. Oh well, if Dayton is too embarassed about the Dozier contract, and Matheny too much of an O'Hearn lover, to make the best (short term) choice for the Royals - God has given them and not me the authority to do it. Will it cost us the playoffs this year? Maybe. We will see. In terms of one longer term benefit, we may get an extra year of service time for MJ, so perhaps a better chance down the road to do long extensions with both Bobby and him in staggered years.
And I agree with you about Bubic's potential. There have been plenty of crafty, non flame thrower lefties who have been very successful in the big leagues. Here is hoping that Bubic can be one of them. It does look like the slider could really help.
Bubic is fun to watch similar to Clark - I appreciate Bubic's bulldog mentality. When comprising a staff, I'm a firm believer that every staff needs a "crafty" pitcher who may not have the flash and sizzle of a overbearing fastball but somehow still holds his own playing with the big boys.
While we have a backend of a BP that all throws heat, I don't think that's an effective makeup for the entire starting staff. Another Bubic thought I had was that with his cerebral approach he may stand to get more of the "Grienke effect" than anyone else on the staff. Here's hoping Bubic will break out an eephus because, hey, who doesn't love a good eephus?
The Offensive numbers are ridiculous, and b/c I don't follow the entire league, I assumed they were ridiculous for everyone but great to hear that isn't the case and appreciate you providing that insight.
BUT your number crunching inspired me so I did a quick research project and how about we have 419 at bats in our eleven games thus far, almost a full 3 at bats per game than anyone else. Now that's keeping the line moving!
That's a really good point about Greinke with Bubic. We haven't heard much about those two interacting, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall in those conversations whenever they happen.
And yeah, I sort of expected the rest of the league to be rolling too, but while some are, many aren't. I was going to try to see what kind of correlation there is between spring numbers and regular season by looking at some past seasons, but Alec beat me to it! I still might dig in some, but he stole my thunder haha.
Really appreciate your analysis, David. I'm just not as much of a numbers geek to dig in like this, so thanks for laying it out there. I am more likely to watch the games and observe performances and outcomes (decidedly less scientific). In watching the young pitchers last year, there was something about Bubic that impressed me. Yes, he had bad outings, and looking at your analysis you can see improvement needed. The thing that seemed to stand out with him, though, was a bulldog mentality. There were times he struggled, yet he looked anxious to take the ball and persevere. I may have read too much into it, but really liked his attitude. Hopefully he can make the adjustments and pair ability with attitude and help lead this staff. Next to Carlos Hernandez I am most anxious to see Bubic this year.
I'm a big Bubic fan. He's very advanced analytically and uses the numbers to his advantage, which I think gives him an edge over some other pitchers on the staff. I won't name names, but there's a lot of music puns when I write about him. And I agree he does seem like that bulldog. He's talented, tenacious and smart as hell. It's a good combination.
I am sad to say you are right, they are going to give the early season at bats to Dozier and O'Hearn and Cam over DJ :( . Even though MJ had just as good or better of a year as Bobby and would help out our lineup a lot from the jump, or at least get MJ up and going through his adjustment period sooner the better to help us truly compete this year and beyond. Oh well, if Dayton is too embarassed about the Dozier contract, and Matheny too much of an O'Hearn lover, to make the best (short term) choice for the Royals - God has given them and not me the authority to do it. Will it cost us the playoffs this year? Maybe. We will see. In terms of one longer term benefit, we may get an extra year of service time for MJ, so perhaps a better chance down the road to do long extensions with both Bobby and him in staggered years.
And I agree with you about Bubic's potential. There have been plenty of crafty, non flame thrower lefties who have been very successful in the big leagues. Here is hoping that Bubic can be one of them. It does look like the slider could really help.
Steve, we really have to get off this Melendez topic, especially in a comment on a newsletter that didn't mention any of those players.
Please remove me from your subscription list.
I'm sorry that upset you enough to unsubscribe, but I hope you'll come back in the future.
Bubic is fun to watch similar to Clark - I appreciate Bubic's bulldog mentality. When comprising a staff, I'm a firm believer that every staff needs a "crafty" pitcher who may not have the flash and sizzle of a overbearing fastball but somehow still holds his own playing with the big boys.
While we have a backend of a BP that all throws heat, I don't think that's an effective makeup for the entire starting staff. Another Bubic thought I had was that with his cerebral approach he may stand to get more of the "Grienke effect" than anyone else on the staff. Here's hoping Bubic will break out an eephus because, hey, who doesn't love a good eephus?
The Offensive numbers are ridiculous, and b/c I don't follow the entire league, I assumed they were ridiculous for everyone but great to hear that isn't the case and appreciate you providing that insight.
BUT your number crunching inspired me so I did a quick research project and how about we have 419 at bats in our eleven games thus far, almost a full 3 at bats per game than anyone else. Now that's keeping the line moving!
That's a really good point about Greinke with Bubic. We haven't heard much about those two interacting, but I'd love to be a fly on the wall in those conversations whenever they happen.
And yeah, I sort of expected the rest of the league to be rolling too, but while some are, many aren't. I was going to try to see what kind of correlation there is between spring numbers and regular season by looking at some past seasons, but Alec beat me to it! I still might dig in some, but he stole my thunder haha.
https://theathletic.com/3218312/2022/03/30/royals-hitters-are-hammering-spring-training-pitching-what-will-translate/
Haha - you can't trust those guys at the Athletic Lesky!
Boy you're telling me. Why are they reading my mind anyway? Who gave them permission? I need to find my tinfoil hat.