Comments on: Kinsler’s Quick Start

By: kris

kris — Sun, 31 May 2009 13:30:19 +0000

I’ve noticed more and more hostility directed towards writers on fangraphs for no good reason. It’s almost gotten to the point where omitting a single fact is the equivalent of a punch in the nuts. It’s sad…

Anyways, I didn’t realize Kinslers splits were so ridiculous..

But, breaking it down, it’s pretty clear that Kinsler’s faced some damn good pitching thus far.. 0/7 against the King, didnt play well against the Jays during their hot streak.. seeing pitchers for the first time..

By: LeoCruz

LeoCruz — Fri, 29 May 2009 23:22:58 +0000

I took a look at Kinsler’s splits and im a little worried. He’s batting .220 against righties this year, and is hitting .167 on the road. Should i worry?

By: KingKirkpatrick

KingKirkpatrick — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:03:43 +0000

Gil Meche. Zack Greinke. Kyle Davies . . . ?

Don’t bother Texas Rangers offense.

By: KingKirkpatrick

KingKirkpatrick — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 04:13:32 +0000

Them = entire Rangers offense. Shutout for six innings.

Royals pitching is legit!!!!! Over a K per inning for the entire staff so far this year. Sick.

By: laxtonto

laxtonto — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:34:54 +0000

Yeah, 2-4 with a walk and 2 SB’s…

Yep, shut down…

By: KingKirkpatrick

KingKirkpatrick — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:54:46 +0000

THE EPIC SHUTS THEM DOWN!!!!!

By: t ball

t ball — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:49:06 +0000

Snark, thanks for pointing that out, I forgot that Gassko’s spreadsheet was for multiple years. I’d still like to know two things:
1. Why do BR’s park factors show a decidedly less hitter-friendly environment for 2006-2008?
2. Why should I trust Gassko’s numbers more than BR’s or ESPN’s?
3. Does anyone have good data on L-R splits?
4. When talking about what is basically a stupidly hot streak and a very small sample, is there even a point to mentioning the park factor?

By: Snark

Snark — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:00:59 +0000

Argh. I botched those last sets of numbers; they should be taken BA/BABiP/OBP.

And that next-to-last sentence should read: “I’d suggest that if there are park factors of interest, they’re for Detroit; Gassko’s numbers for Comerica Park suggest that it’s not exactly a paradise for Kinsler’s offensive game.”

By: Snark

Snark — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:51:10 +0000

tball, if I’m reading it right, Gassko’s spreadsheet shows the 5-year, regressed park factors for each category, so we’re looking at numbers reflecting 2003-2007 overall; as a result, I’d be surprised if shifting the frame a year (to look at 2004-2008) made a huge difference.

Looking at Kinsler’s home/away splits, it’s notable that last season there’s not a glaring disparity in his overall numbers (tOPS+ of 103 at home and 97 away); Kinsler’s SLG was, in fact, higher on the road than at RBiA (.530 to .504), while his BA, OBP, and BABiP reflects the opposite (.335/.367/.394 at home to .303/.301/.356 on the road).

Matthew, I’d also be interested to know what about Gassko’s (and Kinsler’s) numbers lead you to discount Kinsler’s performance on the basis of RBiA’s effects. In fact, I’d suggest that if there the park factors of interest (if any) are for Detroit; Gassko’s numbers for Comerica Park suggest that it’s not exactly a paradise for Kinsler’s offensive game. And, of course, the Rangers have stunk in Detroit recently…

By: t ball

t ball — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:10:12 +0000

A little bit more. I have read Gassko’s article over at THT from March 20, 2008, and downloaded his spreadsheet. It shows the 2007 Rangers park as 1.02 for 1B, 0.98 for 2B (a big part of Kinsler’s start, 7 doubles, so far), and 1.1 for HRs, good for 9th in baseball. Are these 2007 numbers more or less consistent with 2008 and other seasons? This spreadsheet doesn’t have splits, does Gassko figure those, too?

Obviously, Kinsler is not going to keep this pace up, but I do think he’d have had a ridiculous week in any park since the factors above don’t seem to help doubles.