Comments on: Samardzija: Not In Command

By: Teej

Teej — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:35:25 +0000

The author is fully aware that Samardzija has a strong k/bb ratio. What he is saying is that unless he improves his control/ strikes thrown percentage, that ratio will inevitably plummet and/or he will get hit much harder.

I was just about to come say this, but Isaac said it perfectly. Samardzija’s K/BB is unsustainable unless he starts throwing more strikes.

By: Isaac

Isaac — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 03:24:03 +0000

Evan, it’s pretty clear that you have missed the point of this blog. The author is fully aware that Samardzija has a strong k/bb ratio. What he is saying is that unless he improves his control/ strikes thrown percentage, that ratio will inevitably plummet and/or he will get hit much harder. He is just saying that his surface stats are misleading and that his peripheral stats point to a regression unless he changes his approach. Obviously, most frequenters of this website understood what Dave was getting at, but as you seem to have not, hope this clears it up.
Oh, and not understanding an article or point doesn’t make it junk or useless.

By: Tomas

Tomas — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:51:19 +0000

Evan HAS to be a total Notre Dame & Cubs homer. Obviously didn’t read the article or only looks at things through his irish/cubbie glasses. Let me guess Evan, Wins are the most important stat for a pitcher and batting average the only thing that matters offensively?

By: Doug P

Doug P — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 01:04:24 +0000

While I don’t necessarily disagree with the conclusion of this article, I think there’s a lot more useful information in this analysis of the Shark’s performance to date:
http://www.cubsfx.com/2008/08/jeff-samardzija-updates-on-pitch-types.html

Unfortunately, it was published before his work versus St. Louis.

By: dan

dan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:09:12 +0000

And Dave–

Tom Glavine’s strike % since 2002 is ~59%. Just sayin’

By: dan

dan — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:02:01 +0000

Evan, did you not read the post?

By: Evan W.

Evan W. — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:35:56 +0000

Ha, this blog article is a piece of junk. Way to throw the “Samardzija” out there to get some hits on your site. Look at his K/BB ratio and we’ll start to talk. The kid throws 98mph with movement, along with a nasty splitter that drops out of the zone for his strikeout pitch.
Go write about the Olympics.

By: Alex

Alex — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:04:36 +0000

Could this perhaps have to do with instructions from Lou Piniella to pitch around some of the better Cardinals hitters? It seems like the Shark has faced very good hitters lately. I think the sample size you’re talking about is pretty small, and may be affected by pitch-around instructions.

By: K.P.

K.P. — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 22:04:09 +0000

A lot of his breaking balls are out of the zone. But if you watch, a lot of them start in the zone.

As long as he can locate his fastball (which he does, not great, but, certainly pretty well). And 1/2 of the time he’ll get a swinging strike on pitches that would be balls. He may not yet be Joba quality, but, he’ll still provide the K’s to unsuspecting teams in smaller quantities.