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Visualizing Kluber's 18 K's in Python

Using a pitch's start and end location, as well as initial velocity and acceleration, we can extrapolate the complete path of a pitched ball in three dimensions.

Cory Kluber strikes out Peter Bourjos with a slider, sinker, curveball, fastball sequence.
Cory Kluber strikes out Peter Bourjos with a slider, sinker, curveball, fastball sequence.

Since debuting in late 2006, PITCHf/x data has become an integral part of our consumption of baseball. PITCHf/x opens the doors to analysis that was previously not possible in an objective manner, but it can also enhance our enjoyment of the game we love.

I am proud to unveil the final product of my Data Visualization and Analysis course at Colby College. In partnership with Ian Tibbetts '15, we have modified our semester work to create an application with the specialized purpose of viewing and animating PITCHf/x pitch trajectories. Previous applications such as MLB Gameday allow the user to view the trajectory of a pitched ball from a fixed angle. Our application allows the user to view any pitch or set of pitches from PITCHf/x archives in three-dimensions with full ability to pan, zoom, and rotate making it a truly novel way to enjoy the filthiest pitches of your choice.

Without further ado, submitted for your enjoyment, Cory Kluber’s 18-strikeout masterpiece.

1. Kolton Wong swinging on a fastball up in the zone.

K1_wong_real

k1_wong_take2

2. Jhonny Peralta swinging on a curveball out of the zone.

K2_Peralta_Real

pitch gifs

3. Jason Heyward swinging on a high slider on the edge of the zone.

heyward_realK3

K3_heyward_Me

4. Mark Reynolds swinging on a sinker.

K4_Reynolds

K4_Reynolds_Me

5. Peter Bourjos looking on corner fastball.

K5_Bourjos_real

K5_Bourjos_me

6. Kolten Wong looking on a corner curveball.

K6_Wong_real

K6_Wong_Me

7. Matt Carpenter swinging on a high sinker.

K7_Carp

K7_Carp_Me

8. Pete Kozma swinging on a corner fastball.

K8_Kozma_ReallyReal

K8_Kozma_Real

9. Jhonny Peralta swinging on a curveball out of the zone (again).

K9_Peralta_Real

K9_Peralta_me

10. Yadier Molina swinging on a high sinker.

K10_Molina_R

K10_Molina_Me

11. Matt Adams looking on a corner curveball.

K11_Adams_RR

K11_Adams_R

12. Mark Reynolds looking on a corner sinker.

K12_Reynolds_R

K12_Reynolds_Me

13. Peter Bourjos swinging on a slider out of the zone.

K13_Bourjos

K13_Bourjos_Me

14. Matt Carpenter swinging on a high sinker.

K14_Carpenter_R

K14_Carpenter_Me

15. Pete Kozma swinging on a high fastball.

K15_Kozma

K15_Kozma_Me

16. Jason Heyward swinging on a corner slider.

K16_Heyward

K16_Heyward_Me

17. Yadier Molina looking on a low curveball.

K17_Molina_Real

K17_Molina

18. Mark Reynolds swinging at a 94 MPH fastball.

K18_Reynolds1_R

K18_Reynolds1_M

K18_Reynolds2_R

K18_Reynolds2_M

Daniel Meyer is a junior Economics and Mathematical Sciences major at Colby College. You can follow him on twitter @dtrain_meyer.