Plate Discipline

This is a virtue that stat geeks will extol constantly. There are a few things to look at in this:

1) Walk rate
2) Strikeout to walk rate
3) Pitches per plate appearance


The first two are easy to look at. Walk rate can demonstrate how much a player will take walks, but this is a function of multiple variables, namely: his eyesight, his judgement of the strike zone, and the amount of fear a pitcher has for him. Strikeout to walk can be useful in estimating the player's overall OBP; a player with a lot of strikeouts will not hit for high average, and so the number of walks may be outweighted by the low batting average that results. For example, Adam Dunn. On the other hand, a player who does not strike out yet still walks a lot demonstrates excellent patience (few swinging K's) and excellent knowledge of the strike zone (few times caught looking), and a great example of this is Jackie Robinson.

Now pitches per plate appearance is one of those stats that is not very well-known or advertised, but this is something one can think through. The more pitches a pitcher has to go through, the shorter he will last, even if he gets everyone out. After all, when a pitcher is removed before the 6th inning, that is when the worst relief pitchers have to come out of the bullpen. What was often the case with Brad Penny was that he would have good outings, but batters would foul off so many pitches that he would hit 100 pitches in the 4th and 5th innings. Hitting foul balls is a skill that is perhaps too underappreciated, but a player that can hit a foul ball can exhaust a pitcher easily.

Either way, here's the Dodgers' starting line, complete with P/PA for the past 6 seasons. Stop now and guess who will have the highest number here.

Ok, here.

Betemit 4.01 Furcal 3.89 Gonzo 3.87 Martin 3.77 Kent 3.62 Ethier 3.59 Pierre 3.44 Nomar 3.13

MLB average P/PA in2006: 3.76

The Dodgers lineup will be below average next year in taking pitches, although that could change once the injury bug bites. Nomar will not stay healthy all year, though so that number will get a little higher. Still, the Dodgers look to be losing many battles of pitch counts if they do not get on base more than the other team.

I was impressed though, to see Betemit with the best P/PA, despite not having a really high isolated patience (OBP-BA). Nonetheless, he can be a pest for the opposition if nothing else.