Comparison of Hitters and Pitchers on the DL

by Jeff Zimmerman on Apr 1, 2010 12:03 AM EDT

Someone asked me for this data, so since I had it available, I decided to create some pretty graphs. Here are how pitchers and hitters compare in trips to DL, days on DL and salary lost due to time on DL:

General rule, pitchers take up half of the days, trips and money lost due to time on the DL.

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Should also be noted that Pitchers take up almost half the roster spots too; just for a bit more context to those graphs.

by kericr on Apr 1, 2010 12:29 AM EDT reply actions

A big thanks to Travis Hafner

For single-handedly skewing the DH figures.

How many players were counted as DHs? Right off the bat there has to be half the number of DHs than any other position, but I’d assume it’s much less than that. Many AL teams do not have a “designated” designated hitter, but rather use a platoon of players, all of whom could be classified as a position player somewhere else.

As a result, I’m surprised by the amount of time DHs spent on the DL. You’d think that less time in the field would equate to less opportunity for injury, but that’s not the case. Doubling the DH stats would show that they’re the most injury prone, spend the most time on the DL, and the costliest (granted the last two are a product of the first).

by Willl on Apr 1, 2010 1:34 AM EDT reply actions

Mike Sweeney was another pull.

The people are usually old, hurt vets. I will look into who they are in a later piece.

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Apr 1, 2010 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm surprised catcher's don't take up a larger chunk.

And to think, a certain Minnesota Sports Writer thinks Mauer should play in Left Field a certain amount to make room for Ramos.

"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"

by Steven Ellingson on Apr 1, 2010 5:55 PM EDT reply actions

Am I understanding that outfielders are the most injured of position players?

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Apr 1, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

As in the top three spots among position players are the three OF positions.

Having trouble telling which colors are which.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Apr 1, 2010 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I just used the defaults, they are in the same order in the chart as in the labels

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Apr 1, 2010 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Okay, so pretty close.

That’s intriguing.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Apr 2, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

RF is interesting.

Less athletic sluggers more prone to injury?

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.

People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.

by Warden11 on Apr 1, 2010 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Here is same average ages

This is the average age per trip (I am working on the age per day, but bad math somewhere)

POS Age
1B 30.79
2B 29.59
3B 29.82
C 30.48
CF 28.78
DH 32.66
LF 30.21
P 30.04
RF 29.35
SS 29.4

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Apr 1, 2010 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

Observations

DH’s are older. Much older.
Seems to get younger as you go up the defensive spectrum. Except catcher.
Centerfielders are usually inexperienced guys that are athletic and run into walls.
Just kidding on the last one.

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by cwhitman412 on Apr 1, 2010 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions

More info...

Could you post the total salaries for each position, and possibly % of salary lost, as well?

Great article!

by ge-o-van-y-clap-clap-clapclapclap on Apr 2, 2010 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

I disagree with one of the conclusions

Pitchers spend notably more than 50% of DAYS on the DL than hitters do. This makes perfect sense, as certain pitching injuries are extremely serious and can knock players out for months or even years (torn rotator cuff, torn elbow ligament, oblique strain). In other words, pitchers don’t get injured more times, but the times they do get injured, it’s tougher to rehab the injury.

Shawn Spencer: "I’m receiving a transmission from your husband. Really more of a voicemail, if I'm being honest. A status update. Perhaps a twitter."
Burton Guster: "I believe it’s called a tweet."
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by PaulThomas on Apr 3, 2010 1:56 AM EDT reply actions