Comments on: Crash Davis Was A Stat Geek

By: dan

dan — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:09:15 +0000

I just re-read my comment and realized something stupid in it….. You can almost certainly find out slugging % from other data types. What I meant to say was that slugging% the way I adjusted it was using only singles because that’s what RZR really would represent for middle infielders.

By: dan

dan — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:06:49 +0000

Well I used THT because, again, I’m lazy. I realize that there are major limitations to the data, and BIS would be better. And I think you could only really do slugging% using ZR data, because I believe it only uses ground balls, whereas some of the other systems use all types of batted balls.

By: Sky

Sky — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:00:47 +0000

Dan, I like it. Definitely need to go the relative-to-average route, as the denominator of zone rating is pretty subjective and has nothing to do with at-bats. I have all the BIS data from THT in a spreadsheet, so running the calculations for every player should be easy. I’ll probably use out-of-zone plays, too, like Justin’s runs conversion. Any ideas on how to adjust SLG other than assuming all hits are singles? I’ll take a loook at Dial’s work.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:39:25 +0000

I’m even lazier…The Fielding Bible says that Jeter fielded 34 fewer balls than the average fielder. That drops his average to .269 and his slugging down to .399. Decidedly mediocre!

By: dan

dan — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:12:05 +0000

okay, assuming no calculator errors, the average zone rating for short stops was about .814 (only balls in zone). So an .814 RZR with 386 chances (jeter again) would equal 314 plays. Jeter made 300 plays on the nose, so he’s 14 plays below average…. Subtract 14 hits from his BA, and you get a .300 average (down from .322). Assuming that ground balls go for singles only, his slugging drops to .430. I’m not sure if this is accurate or not, but it seems relatively reasonable.