Strikeouts- the offensive stat

[MilkSpiller22]

Pun was intended guys...


There are 2 philosophies, the I don't care whether a player strikes out a lot(Houston Astros), or the I do care if a batter strikes out a lot...

I understand the whole sabremetrics, the less you strike out the more you make contact and the higher your BA is, and I also understand a strike out does not move up the runners... But do we focus too much on the stat??

Here is the thing, over 50% of a players SOs will be with either 2 outs or bases empty, and in those 2 scenarios a SO is the same as any other out... so how much does it really matter if a player Strikes out???

Isnt it the rest of the players stats that are more important??

For example who would you rather have leading off??

Player A- OBP .360, 30 SB, 80 SB%, 150 SOs

Player B- OBP .350, 30 SBs, 80 SB%, 85 SOs

I would rather have player A...

The only spot in the lineup where I care about SOs more than the rest of the players stats is at the 2 hole...

 

[MilkSpiller22]

My own pity post...

 

[packerzrule]

A high OBP is what I would always want leading off

You can't steal first

 

[MilkSpiller22]

A high OBP is what I would always want leading off

You can't steal first

agreed

 

[calsnowskier]

While a pitcher who knows how to K a hitter is important, the converse is not necessarily a bad thing. A hitter who Ks a lot will be seeing AT LEAST 3 pitches per AB, so he is making the pitcher work, and possibly forcing the other team to get into the bully earlier.

I MUCH prefer the 7-pitch K to the FPOM (if my team is hitting). Heck, I am A-O-K with a 9-pitch K to lead off the game. I may even prefer that to the first-pitch single...

 

[MilkSpiller22]

While a pitcher who knows how to K a hitter is important, the converse is not necessarily a bad thing. A hitter who Ks a lot will be seeing AT LEAST 3 pitches per AB, so he is making the pitcher work, and possibly forcing the other team to get into the bully earlier.

I MUCH prefer the 7-pitch K to the FPOM (if my team is hitting). Heck, I am A-O-K with a 9-pitch K to lead off the game. I may even prefer that to the first-pitch single...

good point, but kind of off topic... Players who strike out a lot don't often see those long battles...

 

[calsnowskier]

good point, but kind of off topic... Players who strike out a lot don't often see those long battles...

OK, they wont see a LOT of 9-pitch ABs, but neither do great #2 hitters. I was going extreme to make my point.

A K-artist will still see AT LEAST 3 pitchers per AB. They also will not get a GIDP during that AB. A lot of power-hitters will ground into a lot of 4-6-3s...

 

[tducey]

Funny how a lot of good power hitters also strike out alot. Anyone remember Rob Deer? Good power hitter in the early 90's but led the league in strikeouts 4 times.

 

[podsox]

I hate high strike out hitters. nothing worse than seeing a guy come to the plate completely overmatched. thank the lord I never have to see adam dunn in a sox uniform again