The Orioles Big Walk Advantage

[Filmstudy]

Through 18 games, the Orioles have now outwalked their opponents 87-49, an edge of 2.11 per game.

This has been a return to the baseball of my youth (I became a fan in 1971), during which the 1968-1985 Orioles (coincident with the 18 consecutive winning seasons) outwalked their opponents in every single season and by an average of more than 100 per year.  Some of it was pitching and some of it was the hitting, but the grinding always made baseball entertaining and dramatic to me.

I hope the value of walks and all of the ancillary benefits from outstanding plate discipline are not again lost to Orioles lore if Elias and his team move on.

[25 Nuggets]

What an incredible turnaround, even from last season.  I hope it continues.

Adley drawing that walk with the bases loaded, that's just not something you'd see very often with Oriole teams before.

[AdamK]

I absolutely love it. Watching the opposing starter's pitch count grow by more than 12 pitches an inning is a treat. 

Where did this come from and is it sustainable?

[Sports Guy]

Gunnar and Adley.

And guys, this is just the start. This will become the norm.

For all the angst about Elias “ignoring pitching in the draft”, this is the result..offensive stud players.

Its why that strategy is correct.

[sportsfan8703]

Frazier has 8 BB 6 SO

[btdart20]

2 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Gunnar and Adley.

And guys, this is just the start. This will become the norm.

For all the angst about Elias “ignoring pitching in the draft”, this is the result..offensive stud players.

Its why that strategy is correct.

Mullins has had a significant BB% rate jump too.  

Good things happen when you don't get out and/or put the ball in play!

[Sports Guy]

7 minutes ago, btdart20 said:

Mullins has had a significant BB% rate jump too.  

Good things happen when you don't get out and/or put the ball in play!

Not sure I buy the jump for Mullins though. I’m absolutely buying Gunnar and Adley. Those 2 alone change so many things.

[btdart20]

4 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

Not sure I buy the jump for Mullins though. I’m absolutely buying Gunnar and Adley. Those 2 alone change so many things.

That's fair at this point.  I'm buying the direction more than the degree.  Mateo, Frazier, Urias, and Santander have shown improvement that I'm on the fence about as well.  Their changes aren't as statistically significant or have bigger questions about sustainability.

The only two with a meaningful track record in the MLB with BB% regression are Hays and Mountcastle.  But those guys are hitting the ball harder (EV, HH%, Barrels), so I'll take it!  And Hays BB% decrease isn't statistically significant.

This has all the markings of a tailored employee improvement plan and the players/coaches are actively working toward applying the improvements.

[Frobby]

8 hours ago, sportsfan8703 said:

Frazier has 8 BB 6 SO

Shhhhh….

[Frobby]

7 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

Not sure I buy the jump for Mullins though. I’m absolutely buying Gunnar and Adley. Those 2 alone change so many things.

Wait until Cowser gets up here.  He’s right there with Adley and Gunnar when it comes to plate discipline.  

[OsFanSinceThe80s]

Been waiting forever for the Orioles to have hitters in the lineup with pitch recognition skills and just don’t hack away at every pitch.

[Orioles Jim]

2 hours ago, Frobby said:

Wait until Cowser gets up here.  He’s right there with Adley and Gunnar when it comes to plate discipline.  

And Kjerstad.

[Frobby]

22 minutes ago, Orioles Jim said:

And Kjerstad.

I think his patience is fine, but not quite in the category of the other three.