GDT 5/23/21: Pirates vs Braves - Sunday Funday

Glad we didn’t give up on Riley. Dude is killing it this year! Chipper us done wonders for that guy
 
Glad we didn’t give up on Riley. Dude is killing it this year! Chipper us done wonders for that guy

The progression of his plate discipline has been truly remarkable. It’s rare for guys to make the improvements he’s made in that area.

Awesome work on his part.
 
Wow. I was hoping he could develop into a respectable every day player. If he’s more than that we really hit the jackpot. He’s not going to stay this hot but it doesn’t look flukish.
 
Exactly. He is literally trying to start the baseball bashing conversation every chance he gets.

I’m so glad Joe Simpson isn’t on any more. Those two were a horrible pair. I actually like Frenchy. He’s a bit better than Glav IMO.
 
Wow. I was hoping he could develop into a respectable every day player. If he’s more than that we really hit the jackpot. He’s not going to stay this hot but it doesn’t look flukish.

I mean, that .421 BABIP is pretty damn fluky....

But the progression of his xwOBA over the last 3 years from .309 to .333 to .359 is very real.

He went from being a below average hitter, to an above average hitter, to now a plus or better hitter. And that all appears to be legit.
 
The majority of the Braves fans on Reddit and Facebook love Chip. I don't understand why.

This is one of the most exciting teams in baseball. We need a broadcast team that will embrace the personalities of this team.
 
I’m so glad Joe Simpson isn’t on any more. Those two were a horrible pair. I actually like Frenchy. He’s a bit better than Glav IMO.

I like frenchy, but he doesn't have a good voice for calling games though. I can live with pretty much anyone in he booth though. I rarely even pay them any attention
 
The progression of his plate discipline has been truly remarkable. It’s rare for guys to make the improvements he’s made in that area.

Awesome work on his part.

Yep. He’s laying off of pitches he was swinging at last year and the difference in him is daylight and dark.
 
Riley’s defense also won’t take him off third base for a long time.

Doing exactly what’s he’s done his whole progressional career.
 
I mean, that .421 BABIP is pretty damn fluky....

But the progression of his xwOBA over the last 3 years from .309 to .333 to .359 is very real.

He went from being a below average hitter, to an above average hitter, to now a plus or better hitter. And that all appears to be legit.
Yeah. Honestly any one who is that hot is going to be catching some breaks but he has been genuinely very good.
 
The majority of the Braves fans on Reddit and Facebook love Chip. I don't understand why.

This is one of the most exciting teams in baseball. We need a broadcast team that will embrace the personalities of this team.

To Chip’s credit, he makes dramatic calls very well.

That’s literally the only thing he’s good at.
 
The majority of the Braves fans on Reddit and Facebook love Chip. I don't understand why.

This is one of the most exciting teams in baseball. We need a broadcast team that will embrace the personalities of this team.
Sentimentality is powerful. He’s been on a long time and his dad before him. He’s not very good but it would seem strange if he wasn’t on the air. That’s why you need the right match with him. Years ago I even thought Joe Simpson wasn’t bad when paired with Boog who kind of balanced him out.
 
I mean, that .421 BABIP is pretty damn fluky....

But the progression of his xwOBA over the last 3 years from .309 to .333 to .359 is very real.

He went from being a below average hitter, to an above average hitter, to now a plus or better hitter. And that all appears to be legit.

Is there data on what a player’s expected BABIP should be given where each ball is hit?
 
I mean, that .421 BABIP is pretty damn fluky....

But the progression of his xwOBA over the last 3 years from .309 to .333 to .359 is very real.

He went from being a below average hitter, to an above average hitter, to now a plus or better hitter. And that all appears to be legit.

Let’s also not forget that Riley has a whole career, including the minors, of going insanely hot for a few weeks and then going completely silent at the plate for a few weeks. However if he can now walk a lot when he’s struggling, it will be a game changer
 
Is there data on what a player’s expected BABIP should be given where each ball is hit?

That’s exactly what xwOBA is telling us. It takes all a player’s batted balls (exit velocity, launch angle, direction) and compares it to what happens when all other players hit balls like that. Once we know how all those types of batted balls typically end up, an expected value for every type of batted ball can be calculated...that’s the expected value.

That expected value allows us to determine if a guy is hitting the ball well and getting unlucky with the results, or hitting it not so well and getting lucky with the results.

Over a long sample the “luck” tends to even out, and players tend to have results that match the expectations based on the quality of their contact. That’s what makes xwOBA a predictive stat.
 
Last edited:
What is Frenchy talking about with the strength of schedule?

Atlanta has yet to see St. Louis, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston, etc.

Many publications have Atlanta has having one of the 5-10 easiest schedules so far.
 
He doesn’t know what he’s talking about

The Braves mediocre record has been a result of poor pitching and unlucky offense. Nothing else. Well, I think the defense efficiency has been a little rough as well, but I haven’t looked into those numbers myself.

The offense is getting on track, and the pitching is improving now that Fried is back.
 
Back
Top