Braves and Analytics

[thewupk]

Just more evidence of what some of us were saying was true.

https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-paying-attention-to-analytics-data/c-272604954

"The daily information we receive every day about a game we're about to play is pretty extensive in comparison to what we're used to," Snitker said.

Snitker admits he did not know much about a heavy analytics approach before Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos joined the organization in November. Anthopoulos hired director of Major League operations Alex Tamin, who oversees an analytics department that has been significantly enhanced since the front-office staff was overhauled this past offseason.

Tamin's department organizes data which he relays to the coaching staff on a daily basis to devise game plans. First-base coach Eric Young discusses the information with the outfielders and third-base coach Ron Washington handles the infielders.

Each of the outfielders takes the field with a card that spells out where they should be positioned defensively in different situations against each of the opposing team's batters.

 

[smootness]

That is inexcusable for Coppy and his front office...but it's also inexcusable for Snitker.

 

[msstate7]

Snit got the 6th inning double switch down pat

 

[smootness]

Also, it's pretty hard for me to believe that Ron Washington is relaying analytical information in a way that makes any sense of any of it.

 

[gcbraves]

Coppygate may be the best thing to have happened during the "rebuild"

 

[Hawk]

One of the selling points pushed (especially around here) in support of Coppolella, initially, was that he was going to take the team out of the dark ages by employing analytics-driven decision making.

Unbelievable that the needle didn't move one iota during his tenure.

 

[Enscheff]

One of the selling points pushed (especially around here) in support of Coppolella, initially, was that he was going to take the team out of the dark ages by employing analytics-driven decision making.

Unbelievable that the needle didn't move one iota during his tenure.

The most comical quote from Coppy was when he was asked about an advanced stat he liked. He said he liked wRC.

The funny part is that means he was reading FG, and then they hired Kiley.

The sad part is they likely didn't have anyone capable of creating their own metrics.

The worst part is we were told several times that we didn't know any metrics the Braves FO didn't already know. Clearly, we did.

 

[nsacpi]

braves way: arrogance and ignorance

thank goodness they have been swept out the door

 

[thewupk]

Coppygate may be the best thing to have happened during the "rebuild"

As time passes I think this will show to be more and more correct.

 

[jpx7]

Also, it's pretty hard for me to believe that Ron Washington is relaying analytical information in a way that makes any sense of any of it.

I don’t know: given recent in-game comments from the booth, I think that’s actually who’s been dusting off on Chip.

 

[chop2chip]

I have to be the first to eat crow. I gave Coppy the benefit of the doubt far too often re: analytics. It’s simply inexcusable that the team went backwards w.r.t. analytics with Coppy from even the Wren era.

 

[JxnMissFan]

I wish we could get some video of Ron Washington explaining defensive shifts to the infield. My guess is that would be entertaining.

 

[Hawk]

The sad part is they likely didn't have anyone capable of creating their own metrics.

And let's be honest; it's not like they couldn't have easily thrown together a serviceable analytics staff on a shoe-string. Nab a few Georgia Tech folks willing to work for food, some decent equipment, maybe a marquee hire to spearhead the initiative. Go from there.

It's pure dereliction of duty (from the top down) to have not seen this as an industry standard baseball ops practice.

 

[Tapate50]

I have to be the first to eat crow. I gave Coppy the benefit of the doubt far too often re: analytics. It’s simply inexcusable that the team went backwards w.r.t. analytics with Coppy from even the Wren era.

Had us all fooled for the most part. I just assumed they were exhausting that outlet, just like the intl FA mkt we ignored for so long.

 

[Managuarantano's Volunteers]

Had us all fooled for the most part. I just assumed they were exhausting that outlet, just like the intl FA mkt we ignored for so long.

Same here.

Snitker has also been making noticeably better moves since being presented with the data (imo), so it could have caused a few losses

 

[Enscheff]

Had us all fooled for the most part. I just assumed they were exhausting that outlet, just like the intl FA mkt we ignored for so long.

I called the Coppy/Hart FO below average almost immediately. I routinely explained how sub-optimal the majority of their moves were.

I got a lot of arguments about it too, usually along the lines of "they get paid to do this". Remember when everyone took so much pleasure in pointing out how the FO must be so much smarter than me?

Well...they don't get paid to do it anymore...

 

[Enscheff]

And let's be honest; it's not like they couldn't have easily thrown together a serviceable analytics staff on a shoe-string. Nab a few Georgia Tech folks willing to work for food, some decent equipment, maybe a marquee hire to spearhead the initiative. Go from there.

It's pure dereliction of duty (from the top down) to have not seen this as an industry standard baseball ops practice.

The disdain for analytics was apparent at every level of the organization, all the way to the announcers.

Chip has obviously been coached on how to work some analytics into the discussion lately. I imagine we will see guys like Simpson and Glavine spend less time mocking analytics in the future...or they will just go away.

It's time to rid the organization of willing ignorance once and for all. This gloating about being dumb needs to stop.

 

[chop2chip]

I called the Coppy/Hart FO below average almost immediately. I routinely excplained how sub-optimal the majority of their moves were.

I got a lot of arguments about it too, usually along the lines of "they get paid to do this". Remember when everyone took so much pleasure in pointing out how the FO must be so much smarter than me?

Well...they don't get paid to do it anymore...

Credit where credit is due. You never shrunk away from calling the front office out. I will say though, the team did a good job managing its minor league assets. Given the mandate, it’s hard to be overly critical with the results despite the process being covered in gunk.

Thankfully the international scandal happened when it did, so we could have a competent front office handle the transition to competiveness.

 

[chop2chip]

Coppy is what you get when you hire an undergrad that has read Freakanomics and claims to understand analytics.

Gabe Kapler is the managerial equivalent to this brand of analytics.

 

[Hawk]

Gabe Kapler is the managerial equivalent to this brand of analytics.

Haha, my thoughts exactly. Kapler realized he could market himself as a "culture" manager cum analytics guru (in the mold of Joe Maddon) and gain a competitive edge in the process. Kudos to him for that, but I get the distinct impression he's already in way over his head.