Eight defensive plays that define the season of a pitcher | Baseball Prospectus

Translated by José M. Hernández Lagunes

Baseball, perhaps more than any other sport, where the goal is not to be “the fastest” or a similar variant, fell into the illusion of knowledge. We want to believe that we can know objectively, not only if a player is good, but in which concrete aspects and how that definition of “good” differs from that of another player. This way of evaluating can emphasize the greatness of what someone like Shohei Ohtani It does daily … and also the areas that still remain in the shade. For example the defense of the pitchers. Despite the ups and downs (usually positive ups and downs) in the career of Ohtani, and the many praise that appear in their statistical line, the DRP 0.0 is, which means that the defensive contribution has been minimal in all seasons. This is because in all its seasons in the large competitions it has played less than a complete game outside the hill, the pitchers have always assigned a 0.0 DRP. Because? Let’s look at an example. These are the nine defensive games that define the season of a pitcher.

N.° 1: June 22.

The first chance comes in the first release of Ohtani in the game, the second departure of the season (the first only one inning lasted). CJ Abrams Connect a 97 MPH line between first and second base, where Freddie Freeman He catches her. Ohtani, despite the lack of rhythm that could be expected after 22 months without launching in the big tent and without having the opportunity to defend, moves as soon as he observes that the contact is left. If Ohtani is expected to move before the ball comes out of his field of vision, which generates these types of images, then it is probably, presumably, CJ Abrams It does not seem that he still expects the ball to come out of the stadium.

Ohtani, however, reaches the first base so quickly that he has to stop and stretch his arm to catch Freeman’s shot, without anything going wrong, except some strange feet movements, more typical of a danceable musical with baseball theme than a typical defensive game.

This would be Ohtani’s last defensive chance in two months. As Vladimir Lenin has already noticed, there are decades in which nothing happens, and weeks in which dozens of years happen, and with the arrival of autumn, this player (Slagman, Werper, Basiscorridor and defender) had countless opportunities to show his value in defense, as well as situations in which things could go terribly.

N.° 2: August 20

This high discount, with a starting speed of 93.7 MPH connected by Orlando ArciaIt was not exactly a rocket, but it had enough power to make managers of Los Angeles nervous. Ohtani could probably have caught him, but eventually hit his knee directly, which is not exactly the best place for a stone to touch you.

Fortunately, the extremely gifted athlete recovers with all the elegance that can be expected.

According to statistics, it should be noted that this is the second remarkable defensive game of the season for this player. In short, it seems that it is on the right track.

N.° 3: August 20

Ohtani’s next occasion came in the next turn to Bat, when Ryan Ritter He connected a Roletazo with the center of the photo. Ohtani showed some improvement on this occasion; Although he doubted a bit, it did not paralyze because it used to be in other defensive plays. Initially, Ohtani positioned himself with his back to the album, where he finally made a play so that they could not score. For that, however, he took a complete turn and observed all bases, although there were no runners. In general, the result was not very different from what was expected.

Ohtani spread for two weeks, this month had two defensive opportunities with the same mention. And then he benefited from them.

Really, the agility of this boy has no limits.

N.º 4: September 5

The next version, which was a real miracle, seemed completely normal.

N.° September 5: 16

It is clear that his confidence grew up with 11 days and after another competition. This time, Ohtani succeeds in catching a strong role -zoo, despite its starting speed of 103.5 mph; And then it demonstrates its incredible talent again, making the entire rival team look completely.

In case you were wondering, no, the shot from the low pitcher to first base did not ensure that Freeman went to the base, because the pitchers are usually taught. However, it is clear that Ohtani has other more important priorities than defensive foundations. And that is not only important for DRP. It is true that Ohtani is probably not the most agile launcher in the defense, and observing his technique with the guate confirms it, but also shows that in most cases a lower defense capital does not harm the performance of the pitcher. In short, the possibilities to make this happen are very scarce.

N.° 6: 23 September

Everyone likes to criticize the pitcher. Well, this screenshot is misleading because I took it after a soft line left the glove from Ohtani and escaped, Alek Thomas It will reach the first base with a single in the Infield. Again, it can be suggested that our hero uses his glove better. And this is the third time (as a precautionary measure, but still) that Ohtani has sustained a break in the game for a possible injury in six defensive plays. But in reality it does not matter that Thomas is based, and the medical team of the Dodgers would probably sleep quietly if they would place one of those great Batting networks for Ohtani and gave each line to the pitcher, especially because he had beaten the next three batter people.

N.º September 7: 23

Learning is not a linear process. If the question is yes, Ohtani has learned to be a pitcher with liquid movements in the defense, then …

But Ohtani succeeds in intercepting the Roletazo, turns smoothly to second base and throws an accurate shot. Moreover, he did it with his right hand. Without a doubt a real memorable moment.

N.º 8: September 23

Los Angeles: their hero of $ 700 million.

***

If there is something we have learned here, it is that descending the hill to sea level significantly influences the balance and agility of a player, just like a sailor who returns to the mainland stays in the high seas. Another thing that is clear is that pitchers do not have much defensive work. This year Ohtani participated in eight defensive plays. Half of them have been in the last eight days and none in a crucial situation. Ohtani has not proven a good field player, and several of these plays show how a better defender could help the team to get more outs during the season … But in the end the most obvious conclusion is that Ohtani could be much worse in defending what it seems, and that would be no importance. Literally, zero interest.