Comments on: Putting on the shift http://friarforecast.com/?p=737 A Blog About the San Diego Padres Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:56:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Myron (MB) http://friarforecast.com/?p=737#comment-6414 Myron (MB) Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:32:10 +0000 http://friarforecast.com/?p=737#comment-6414 Nope, I don't think you're missing anything. I believe Tango, or someone else, mentioned it in the thread I linked to. It's almost like we're looking at Utley's hits, after they happen, and then trying to figure out where to place the defense for those hits. Well, yes, that is what's being done. Utley's hit direction is, I imagine, not only due to the way he hits the ball, but also the defensive alignment he faces each PA. So if that alignment changes, especially drastically, I'd imagine his spray chart would change. Hmm ... there is so much to explore. Still, I love this kind of research. Nope, I don’t think you’re missing anything. I believe Tango, or someone else, mentioned it in the thread I linked to.

It’s almost like we’re looking at Utley’s hits, after they happen, and then trying to figure out where to place the defense for those hits. Well, yes, that is what’s being done. Utley’s hit direction is, I imagine, not only due to the way he hits the ball, but also the defensive alignment he faces each PA. So if that alignment changes, especially drastically, I’d imagine his spray chart would change.

Hmm … there is so much to explore. Still, I love this kind of research.

]]> By: Daniel Gettinger http://friarforecast.com/?p=737#comment-6413 Daniel Gettinger Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:25:24 +0000 http://friarforecast.com/?p=737#comment-6413 I might be missing something, but isn't it possible Utley could just adapt to the proposed defensive alignment, and start spraying balls down the third base line? I'd imagine a disciplined hitter with good bat control (sounds a lot like Utley) would be able to take advantage of huge holes in the defense. Of course, his slugging percentage would take a bit of a hit if he started slapping balls down the line. I might be missing something, but isn’t it possible Utley could just adapt to the proposed defensive alignment, and start spraying balls down the third base line? I’d imagine a disciplined hitter with good bat control (sounds a lot like Utley) would be able to take advantage of huge holes in the defense. Of course, his slugging percentage would take a bit of a hit if he started slapping balls down the line.

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