#baseball analytics

We’re only a week into the season, but the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System the MLB introduced this year is already a topic of discussion. Views range from the pure joy of humiliating umpires to the dismay of taking away human judgment from the game. I land somewhere in the middle on this, but first let’s show the rules and how it works. This is directly from Baseball Savant: A Fun…

The White Sox recently signed Munetaka Murakami to a 2 year $34M deal. There is an excitement in White Sox fandom that hasn’t really been there over their last 3 years of at least 100 losses. That excitement, however, is not limited to Sox fans. The betting market widely prices Murakami as the second most likely outcome for AL Rookie of the Year. With an international player, I immediately…

As I am writing this on the last day of May, Luis Robert‘s batting line is an abysmal .187/.275/.302. It’s hard for me to believe that this is the same guy that hit 38 HR and 36 2B just 2 years ago. The drop off in hitting production has been drastic, leaving many to wonder what is going on? This answer is needed quickly as Luis remains one of the White Sox intended trade assets at the…

Baseball, a sport steeped in tradition, is increasingly embracing the power of data analysis to gain a competitive edge. Sabermetrics, the empirical analysis of baseball statistics, has transformed the way teams evaluate players, make strategic decisions, and build winning rosters. The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) is further enhancing these capabilities, providing even more sophisticated tools for analyzing data and predicting outcomes.

Optimizing In-Game Decisions

Sabermetrics provides valuable insights into various aspects of game strategy. For instance, research has identified the most important factors influencing stolen base success, including the number of pitches thrown during the at-bat, the speed of the pitch, the baserunner's sprint speed, and the game situation. This information can help coaches make more informed decisions about when to attempt a stolen base.

Building a Winning Team

Data analysis also sheds light on team performance and roster construction. Studies have shown that the depth of a team's relief pitching, rather than the performance of a single star reliever, is a crucial factor influencing a team's winning percentage. This suggests that general managers should prioritize building a strong bullpen with quality depth over acquiring a single high-performing relief pitcher.

Predicting Player Performance

Sabermetrics and AI are also valuable tools for evaluating and predicting player performance. Traditional statistics, such as batting average and ERA, are being supplemented with advanced metrics like exit velocity, launch angle, and spin rate. AI models can analyze these data points to predict player development, identify potential draft picks, and even forecast contract renewals.

Advanced Modeling Techniques

Sophisticated models are being developed to analyze and predict various aspects of the game. The zero-inflated bivariate binomial (ZIBVB) model effectively captures zero-inflation patterns in baseball data, allowing for simultaneous inference on two success probabilities and the zero-inflation parameter. This can help make more informed decisions about player selection and game strategy.

Challenging Traditional Beliefs

Data analysis is also challenging some traditional beliefs in baseball. For example, research has challenged the Time Through the Order Penalty (TTOP), the belief that batters perform significantly better against pitchers the more times they face them in a game. This suggests that managers should consider a pitcher's overall quality, rather than relying solely on TTOP when making decisions about pulling a pitcher.

AI and the Future of Baseball Analytics

AI is poised to play an even greater role in baseball analytics in the future. Machine learning models, such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks, offer a promising approach for predicting home run performance. AI can also be used to develop more sophisticated scouting reports, optimize defensive positioning, and even predict the outcome of games.

Sabermetrics and AI are transforming the way baseball is played and analyzed. By harnessing the power of data, teams can make more informed decisions, optimize performance, and gain a competitive edge. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect even more innovative applications in the future, further revolutionizing the game of baseball.

PASS's Services:

Annual Guidebooks: PASS publishes annual guidebooks for various sports, summarizing the latest research and providing practical recommendations for training and performance optimization.

Custom Reports: PASS offers custom reports that delve deep into specific performance challenges, providing tailored solutions based on the latest scientific evidence.

Researcher Exchange: PASS facilitates workshops and Q&A sessions with leading sports scientists, allowing coaches and athletes to gain valuable insights and connect with experts in the field.

The potential of sports science to revolutionize training and performance is vast, but it remains largely untapped in many areas of athletics. By embracing research-backed principles and utilizing the services of organizations like PASS, coaches and athletes can unlock new levels of performance, reduce the risk of injuries, and achieve their full potential.

About PASS | Practical Application of Sport Science:

PASS helps top sports teams make better decisions using science. The teams ask questions like: “how to manage workload; how to improve decision-making; what is an optimal periodization program”. PASS takes a deep dive into all relevant research articles, figures out what's useful, and gives the teams specific advice they can immediately implement – only things that have been scientifically proven.

Baseball Best-Sellers, November 15, 2019

Note: The Amazon rankings are updated every hour, so these lists might not be 100 percent accurate by the time you read them (or even by the time I finish writing one). But close enough for government work, as the saying goes.

In addition, occasionally the powers-that-be over there try to pull a fast one by including a book in a category to which it should not be listed (in my opinion). For…

Baseball Best-Sellers, November 15, 2019

Note: The Amazon rankings are updated every hour, so these lists might not be 100 percent accurate by the time you read them (or even by the time I finish writing one). But close enough for government work, as the saying goes.

In addition, occasionally the powers-that-be over there try to pull a fast one by including a book in a category to which it should not be listed (in my opinion). For…