Thursday, December 22, 2011

Hot Tip: The Giants Are Good at Baserunning

Hey team,

OGC did a great job researching some very interesting info on the Giants baserunning skills. There is a lot more that goes into baserunning than just SB's. Look for his article by clicking on ObsessiveGiantsCompulsive over to the left.

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the shout out!

    I probably should have changed the title since the Giants have not been consistently good at baserunning, probably would have to analyze year by year to see what the factors are.

    One thing I do remember is that Schierholtz has consistently been a very good base runner every year, among our leaders even though he never plays full-time.

    Another is that the Giants would get bursts of good baserunning when they have a young speedster sitting around, like Velez, so that might be a factor as well.

    Also, should have noted that the additions of Pagan and Melky should result in an improvement for the Giants in 2012, plus the additions of more Crawford and less Tejada, and more Posey and less Whiteside.

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  2. OGC well done, h/t to DocB.

    Good analysis on Bochy/Flannery/Kelly's base running button pushing and strategy. I would not have thought the Giants were this good. Still:

    1. The Giants have to get runners on (OBP hitting approach) and bring them home (RISP hitting). This is not all based on BABIP "bad luck".

    2. Get more speed (getting younger, more players with plus speed) into the lineup period. I believe Pagan leading off will make a real difference here. Note just the threat of speed makes a difference on how the other team's pitcher reacts and on how their defense has to deal with the pressure. Finally having some VARRROOOM off the bench (Burriss, other?) in late innings is a difference maker. Again I think the addition of speed with smart base running will make a difference in one run games in 2012.

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  3. OBP is definitely mostly not BABIP related but RISP hitting probably is mostly BABIP related.

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