MLB Newbie and Theory Thread: Rick and Tony take your calls

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Sports Argument Stadium > MLB Newbie and Theory Thread: Rick and Tony take your calls

The MUMPSorceress: Jan 6, 2012; ^SHTPSTS; Gary’s Answer

Dr. Angela Ziegler posted:

OK, here's the first "Rick and Tony" question of the new season!

Rick and Tony are both equivalent defensively at the same position. They both slug .500. HOWEVER! Rick hits doubles (and only doubles) such that over 600 ABs, he bats .250, hitting 150 doubles, and otherwise strikes out/gets out on a fielded ball/walks at a league-average rate. Tony, on the other hand, ONLY hits Home Runs. Which means he carries a .125 BA over a full season, but hits 75 homers. Same "other outcomes" average.

Which player is more valuable? (I know it's probably Tony because walking at a league-average rate would drive his OBP up farther since there are more PA's that aren't homers, but assume we control for that and say both men have an equivalent OBP, somehow)

I think Tony still because when he hits those homers he will will always drive in at least one run, and every other baserunner ahead of him is guaranteed to score. Rick is not guaranteed to generate a run and hitting doubles leaves room for bad baserunning/slow runners ahead of him to result in fewer overall scores from his hits.

# ¿ Mar 23, 2017 19:18

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# ¿ Apr 28, 2024 01:10

The MUMPSorceress: Jan 6, 2012; ^SHTPSTS; Gary’s Answer

Dr. Angela Ziegler posted:

Why is a HBP more valuable than a walk? They're both dead-ball plays where runners advance 1 (if obliged), aren't they? Is it the marginal value added that a pitcher who plunks too many guys gets thrown out and the opposing team has to go to the bullpen earlier?

Pitcher is not going to intentionally walk a guy when a run can be walked in. An hbp is an accident most of the time.

# ¿ Mar 23, 2017 22:48

The MUMPSorceress: Jan 6, 2012; ^SHTPSTS; Gary’s Answer

The Walrus posted:

oh cool then yeah atdhe.ru has been the source for streaming sports for like 10 years or more now.

As long as you turn your ad blocker and umatrix up to 11 and are very careful about what you white list.

# ¿ Apr 7, 2017 13:10

The MUMPSorceress: Jan 6, 2012; ^SHTPSTS; Gary’s Answer

OK, Rick is a man with one superpower. If he gets in base, he will always steal second and then third on the first two pitches that the batter takes. He can never be thrown out because magic.

If Rick hits at a league average clip, where do you put him in your lineup and what so you have the guy after him do when he gets in?

I'm thinking Rick should hit leadoff and the number 2 guy should just always take the first two pitches from the pitcher regardless if hittabilty, balls and stories, etc. Advancing a runner two bases off an at bat is inherently better odds than the randomness that comes in whenever you make contact.

The only edge case I can think of is if there's already two outs and we take two strikes to advance Rick a lot of the value is lost.

# ¿ Aug 10, 2017 20:12

The MUMPSorceress: Jan 6, 2012; ^SHTPSTS; Gary’s Answer

Yaws posted:

So there's' no Ryan or Clemens or Martinez in the league right now?

Kershaw. It's two posts above you Jesus.

# ¿ Sep 9, 2017 05:54

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