Stark: Os, DBacks and Reds taking advantage of new rules

[Sports Guy]

https://theathletic.com/4632014/2023/06/23/orioles-diamondbacks-reds-mlb-new-rules/?source=user_shared_article
 

STATS THAT MATTER: Nearly everything you just read about the Diamondbacks, we could also say about the Orioles. Here’s a sampling of numbers that tell their story:

• In the AL, only the Rays have taken an “extra” base on singles and doubles a higher percentage of the time than the Orioles (47 percent).

• And their total of 76 extra bases taken on non-hits ranks third in the AL.

• While the Orioles are “only” fifth in the AL in stolen bases (56), they’ve already had four games with at least five steals, the most in the sport. They’d done that just six times in the previous 20 seasons combined.

• The Orioles also have found ways to control the running game — in part because Adley Rutschman has the sixth-best pop time (1.91 seconds) of any catcher who has faced at least 20 stolen-base attempts.

• And no team has shown better pitch-clock discipline than the Orioles. Their hitters have been called for exactly one violation all season, the fewest in the big leagues — and their lone infraction was by Austin Hays, on Opening Day!
 

HOW THEY’VE DONE IT: Not all of this is about the rules. Let’s be clear about that. The Orioles have had top-five picks in the MLB Draft every year since Elias was hired in November 2018. That’s always helpful.

They already have Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson to show for Elias’ first draft in 2019. And the GM has done a fine job of complementing his core group with trades, waiver claims and under-the-radar signings that have turned this team into a contender. But when New Rules Baseball arrived, the Orioles understood immediately how this could work for them.

“First of all, there were the stolen base rules,” Elias said. “We were happy about that, because we had Cedric Mullins and Jorge Mateo on this team. … So we thought that would be good. We also had good defensive catchers. And, just generally, it’s a young, athletic team.

“But even the shift restrictions (worked in their favor). I think every infielder’s range is hurt by those. But if you’re someone like Jorge Mateo, you’re relatively better off than somebody who doesn’t have all that foot speed and range. So we were happy about the shift restrictions, too.”

On that note, Sports Info Solutions rates the Orioles at plus-eight Defensive Runs Saved up the middle at second base and shortstop. That’s second to only the Rays (plus-16) in the AL East. But that hasn’t been the only way the Orioles have made the shift rules work for them. Their hitters also have the second-highest average on pulled groundballs in the AL (.270).

“Mainly, I think that’s because we have a lot of left-handed hitters,” Elias said. “And they probably benefit from the shift rules, generally speaking, more than right-handed hitters. So then, when you’ve got middle infielders that are athletic and you’ve got base stealers, that kind of checks most of the boxes.”

But Elias thinks the Orioles’ advantage actually goes beyond metrics.

“We’re faster than average, so that’s a big part of it,” he said. “But we’ve got some really heady players on this team — guys like Adam Frazier, Adley Rutschman, guys with off-the-charts instincts and decision-making. So you combine people like that with speedy runners; I think it’s a pretty good blend to get what you’re talking about.

“But I also credit and defer to our coaching staff. I think (manager) Brandon Hyde and this staff are leaning into the fact that we have a young, dynamic team, so they’re probably pushing the envelope a little bit on the extra bases, much like the Rays do. … They’re on the move a lot. But they’re not doing it recklessly.”

One rival executive can vouch for that. He went out of his way to say recently how much the Orioles remind him of the Diamondbacks.

“They’re both young, they’re athletic, and they’re fast,” the exec said. “And they don’t just have one or two guys that can run. Their whole team is good that way, so they can put pressure on you for the whole game.”

[Can_of_corn]

Some nice content from Elias there.

[Mr-splash]

Middle infielders are typically the best athletes on the field. It's hard to play SS or 2B when you're carrying a spare tire or got massive overdeveloped muscles. Hit tool is still the most important tool any player can have. Ever seen Miguel Cabrera or Albert Pujol's dad bods? Yea, never stopped them from hitting, but is kind of a drag in the field and on the bases. 

[Aristotelian]

Interesting they say we are controlling the running game as Adley's throws have been getting some attention on this board. It is true, we are #4 in SB allowed at 0.56. Last year we were #3 at 0.32. Appears SB are up all around but on a relative basis we are allowing about the same as last year. Don't get me wrong, I have seen Adley make some poor throws for sure.

[Mr-splash]

5 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Interesting they say we are controlling the running game as Adley's throws have been getting some attention on this board. It is true, we are #4 in SB allowed at 0.56. Last year we were #3 at 0.32. Appears SB are up all around but on a relative basis we are allowing about the same as last year. Don't get me wrong, I have seen Adley make some poor throws for sure.

You steal off the pitcher in most cases. Adley is managing a staff full of giants who look like they would get out of breath running up 2 floors of steps. Bautista is a base stealers dream. 

[Frobby]

8 minutes ago, Aristotelian said:

Interesting they say we are controlling the running game as Adley's throws have been getting some attention on this board. It is true, we are #4 in SB allowed at 0.56. Last year we were #3 at 0.32. Appears SB are up all around but on a relative basis we are allowing about the same as last year. Don't get me wrong, I have seen Adley make some poor throws for sure.

Let’s not ignore McCann here: 7 SB and 9 CS.  That’s awesome.  Our overall numbers are near the top of the league because of McCann more than Adley.  You can criticize plenty of other things about McCann but his throws have been strong and on the money.  

[Aristotelian]

2 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Let’s not ignore McCann here: 7 SB and 9 CS.  That’s awesome.  Our overall numbers are near the top of the league because of McCann more than Adley.  You can criticize plenty of other things about McCann but his throws have been strong and on the money.  

Wow, had not realized that. That is outstanding. 

[ChuckS]

You heard it from the horse's mouth.  Adam Frazier must play.  His decision making and instincts is OFF THE CHARTS. 

Don't you'll love the immeasurables?

[sportsfan8703]

33 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

Some nice content from Elias there.

We can see the value they play on range. So maybe that explains Ortiz over Westburg, other than the 40 man. 
 

With Holliday being the long term piece at SS, wouldn’t Ortiz be the ideal fit at 2nd?  Or vice versa. Either way, we’re going to have great IF defense for a long time.

[sportsfan8703]

3 minutes ago, ChuckS said:

You heard it from the horse's mouth.  Adam Frazier must play.  His decision making and instincts is OFF THE CHARTS. 

Don't you'll love the immeasurables?

More Frazier hate. Isn’t he on pace for 16-17 jacks?  Ortiz has a .462 OPS with 9k 0BB. Frazier is the better option for this year. 

[Can_of_corn]

15 minutes ago, sportsfan8703 said:

More Frazier hate. Isn’t he on pace for 16-17 jacks?  Ortiz has a .462 OPS with 9k 0BB. Frazier is the better option for this year. 

He's on pace for an 86 OPS+.  How valuable is 16 dongs and nothing else?  He's got a 286 OBP.

[casadeozo]

5 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

He's on pace for an 86 OPS+.  How valuable is 16 dongs and nothing else?  He's got a 286 OBP.

Ya truly. Homers alone mean nothing 

[Baltimorecuse]

Frazier is just awful.  He's a lifetime mediocrity, with nothing in his history to suggest a future upside.  Elias blew it on this one, and appears to be too vain to admit it.  

The article was terrific.

 

[emmett16]

57 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Let’s not ignore McCann here: 7 SB and 9 CS.  That’s awesome.  Our overall numbers are near the top of the league because of McCann more than Adley.  You can criticize plenty of other things about McCann but his throws have been strong and on the money.  

He has a McCannon.  

[Mr-splash]

32 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

He's on pace for an 86 OPS+.  How valuable is 16 dongs and nothing else?  He's got a 286 OBP.

Seems better than Ortiz's OPS.