Author Archive

BABIP Driven Starting Pitcher BB/9 Changers

Yesterday, I unveiled another use of a pitcher’s BABIP, besides quickly identifying who has benefited from some good fortune and whose luck should improve. I focused on the K/9 rate and how a low or inflated BABIP could dramatically affect it as it increases or reduces the number of hitters a pitcher will face each inning, giving him additional or fewer opportunities to strike batters out.

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BABIP Driven Starting Pitcher K/9 Changers

We all know by now how to best utilize a pitcher’s BABIP data during and after the season. For the most part, a pitcher with a BABIP significantly below the league average is probably going to see that metric rise, while a pitcher with a mark above the league average will likely post a better one moving forward. But that’s not the only use of BABIP. It also affects a pitcher’s strikeout and walk per nine innings rates. This is why many now prefer to use strikeout and walk percentage.

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RotoGraphs Audio: The Sleeper and the Bust 6/9/13

Episode 23
Today’s episode of The Sleeper and the Bust stars yours truly and features RotoGraphs contributor Brett Talley. We discuss daily fantasy contest strategy and a pair of top prospect call-ups.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @mikepodhorzer or @enosarris on Twitter and tweet us any fantasy questions you have that we may answer on our next episode.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed.

Intro by DJ Sinton (no, contrary to popular belief, I do not moonlight as a rap star).

Approximately 38 min of joyous analysis.


RotoGraphs Audio: The Sleeper and the Bust 6/6/13

Episode 22
Today’s episode of The Sleeper and the Bust stars yours truly and features RotoGraphs editor Eno Sarris. We discuss the latest news in the wonderful world of PEDs and the updated positional rankings.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @mikepodhorzer or @enosarris on Twitter and tweet us any fantasy questions you have that we may answer on our next episode.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed.

Intro by DJ Sinton (no, contrary to popular belief, I do not moonlight as a rap star).

Approximately 44 min of joyous analysis.


2013 AL Starting Pitcher Tier Rankings: June Update

Rankings update week! Since there was the obligatory confusion in the AL OF rankings update, let me remind you — American League. As in not National League. Though, I do have to admit it is amusing to read which random player is asked about not appearing in the rankings, as it’s never the top guy in the other league. Lots of movement this time as the important rates stabilize and become significant.

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Juan Francisco & Jason Bay: Deep League Wire

It’s a pair of J names in this week’s deep league waiver wire recommendations. But don’t worry if you are considering adding a hitter with a first name that does not begin with the letter J. I’m sure he’s just as worthy of joining your squad as these fine lads.

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RotoGraphs Audio: The Sleeper and the Bust 6/4/13

Episode 21
Today’s episode of The Sleeper and the Bust stars yours truly and features RotoGraphs editor Eno Sarris. We discuss an issue that has surprisingly arisen in our Tout Wars league and a hyped pitching prospect expected to get the call in a week and a half.

**Apologies for some of the choppiness as we had not one, but two(!), technical issues thanks to both my microphone and Skype hating us.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @mikepodhorzer or @enosarris on Twitter and tweet us any fantasy questions you have that we may answer on our next episode.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed.

Intro by DJ Sinton (no, contrary to popular belief, I do not moonlight as a rap star).

Approximately 47 min of joyous analysis.


Potential Starting Pitcher K% Decliners

Yesterday, I took a look at the potential pitcher strikeout percentage surgers based on the regression equation I developed and shared with all of you last week. Today, I will look at the opposite side of the coin — those pitchers whose expected strikeout percentages are significantly lower than their actual strikeout percentages.

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Potential Starting Pitcher K% Surgers

Last week, I published the results of my expected strikeout rate study. I used the looking, called, and foul strike rates data from Baseball-Reference.com. It is important to understand that the regression formula I concluded with is meant to estimate what the pitcher’s K% should be given his different strike rates. This is not meant to be predictive. Instead, in smaller sample sizes, it might be a more accurate picture of the pitcher’s true strikeout ability so far, which would then help shape your projection of him going forward.

With that said, here are the top 10 pitchers whose xK% is higher than his K%.

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RotoGraphs Audio: The Sleeper and the Bust 6/2/13

Episode 20
Today’s episode of The Sleeper and the Bust stars yours truly and features RotoGraphs contributor David Wiers. We take the nerd quotient up a couple of notches and also eventually talk some baseball, including a trio of top starting pitcher disappointments.

Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @mikepodhorzer or @enosarris on Twitter and tweet us any fantasy questions you have that we may answer on our next episode.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or via the feed.

Approximately 39 min of joyous analysis.