How Do You Measure a Pitching Coach?

by FreeZorilla on Jun 24, 2009 4:07 PM EDT

There has been considerable debate over at DRaysBay regarding how to evaluate Jim Hickey. I figured it may be a good idea to bring the generic version of the discussion to BtB to remove any bias. Obviously, it is a very difficult task. It has to require a judgement call based on many studies. Things considered to date include:

Pitcher development from one year to the next under Hickey

Pitcher Development from one pitching coach to Hickey

Pitcher Development from Hickey to another coach

Metrics looked at were: K/9, K%, HR/9, uBB/9 K/BB, Pitch Types, K/BB, Strike %, PItches/IP

Pitchers were lumped as either a starter or reliever based on IP being > or < less 100

We compared the average change across the group

We also compared the change for the whole group

I'd like to know what other data the great minds on this site think would be worth looking into in order to properly assess a pitching coach. Its too difficult is not acceptable as front offices are forced to make this evaluation.

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Comments

Have you seen JC Bradbury's study on Mazzone?

And someone had one recently looking at Dave Duncan.

I’m in the middle of something so I can’t go link hunting at the moment, but I’ll try and check back and see if they’re still needed in a bit.

by Dan Turkenkopf on Jun 24, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions

Here you go

Bradbury on the Mazzone Effect

and 3D Baseball on Dave Duncan

by Dan Turkenkopf on Jun 24, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I did one

for the Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual on Dave Duncan. What I did was compared how pitchers performed under Duncan’s tutelage and how those same pitchers performed under other pitching coaches. I compared their ERAs, their BB/9, their K/9, and their HR/9. Then I normalized for league and park factors and concluded that, as a Cardinal, Duncan’s pitchers have performed about 1.5 wins per year better than they performed when they pitched for anyone else. I used Bradbury’s study of Mazzone as a reference and starting point. That article is really good.

by chuckb on Jun 25, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions