The secret of Zach Britton's unique dominance

[weams]

That's a narrow view. We traded Jim Johnson and won 96 games.

True, we bought Cruz with the money.

[Can_of_corn]

He strikes me as a guy who's walk rate would triple if the bottom of the strike zone moved two inches. But for now...

I've been saying the same thing. It is a good sign that his walk rate decreased last season despite the strike zone not increasing.

[Redskins Rick]

That's a narrow view. We traded Jim Johnson and won 96 games.

Is that the best that you can do.

Johnson was on the edge of being DFA and his days here were numbered.

BTW, what did we get for him, and did they do anything for the team, nope.

There are not too many Bedard trades out there.

[Frobby]

I've been saying the same thing. It is a good sign that his walk rate decreased last season despite the strike zone not increasing.

I think his command was much better in 2015 than it has ever been. The Royals were able to wait him out a bit in the 2014 playoffs, but he adjusted and got more aggressive (68.9% strikes last year, 63.5% on first pitch, compared to 63.9%/55.1% in 2014).

[Redskins Rick]

I think his command was much better in 2015 than it has ever been. The Royals were able to wait him out a bit in the 2014 playoffs, but he adjusted and got more aggressive (68.9% strikes last year, 63.5% on first pitch, compared to 63.9%/55.1% in 2014).

I wonder if his arm wasn't a bit tired by the time, the playoffs came around. He had only thrown 40 innings, the year before and 60 before that.

[Can_of_corn]

I wonder if his arm wasn't a bit tired by the time, the playoffs came around. He had only thrown 40 innings, the year before and 60 before that.

I think the Royals' advance scouts were on their game.

[Redskins Rick]

I think the Royals' advance scouts were on their game.

Could be.

But, from a combination of experience and adjustments, I think he was a much better closer last season.

[justD]

I wonder if his arm wasn't a bit tired by the time, the playoffs came around. He had only thrown 40 innings, the year before and 60 before that.

Didn't he have to fly cross-country for the birth of his child, then fly back, during the playoffs that year? Just prior to the ALCS?

[Frobby]

I wonder if his arm wasn't a bit tired by the time, the playoffs came around. He had only thrown 40 innings, the year before and 60 before that.

You're omitting his minor league innings from those two years. In 2013 Zach threw 103 innings in the minors in addition to the 40 he threw in the majors. The previous year he threw 63 in the minors and 60 in the majors.

[Frobby]

Didn't he have to fly cross-country for the birth of his child, then fly back, during the playoffs that year? Just prior to the ALCS?

Well, if he flew all the way cross-country, no wonder his arms were tired. :wedge:

[Redskins Rick]

Didn't he have to fly cross-country for the birth of his child, then fly back, during the playoffs that year? Just prior to the ALCS?

He was back in town, Wednesday before the Friday ALCS Game 1.

Not sure flying first class or private charter, is all that senerous on the body.

But, it could be a combination of the cross crountry flights, good advance scouting and a tired arm.

[Redskins Rick]

Well, if he flew all the way cross-country, no wonder his arms were tired. :wedge:

^5, thanks for the good laugher!

[Spy Fox]

Fangraphs had an article today analyzing Britton's four blown saves last year and how they were mostly the result of infield hits.

Can you tell it's a slow news time for baseball?

Still interesting enough though especially if you have a passion for watching GIFS of dinky grounders narrowly escaping the grasp of Orioles infielders.

[Redskins Rick]

Fangraphs had an article today analyzing Britton's four blown saves last year and how they were mostly the result of infield hits.

Can you tell it's a slow news time for baseball?

Still interesting enough though especially if you have a passion for watching GIFS of dinky grounders narrowly escaping the grasp of Orioles infielders.

blown save is a blown save.

But, personally, I would rather see a cheap infield hit, than a 450 foot monster shot.

[Phantom]

blown save is a blown save.

But, personally, I would rather see a cheap infield hit, than a 450 foot monster shot.

Well, it might also help us prevent blown saves from him in the future.

“History” in this case dates back to just 2002, but Britton stands alone at the top by a comfortable margin, 3.5 standard deviations above the mean and a full standard deviation above the guy in third place

Wow. I really, really want to see him try to be a starter.