I recall the famous quote from Dusty Baker about he doesn't like runners; "clogging up the bases"
I think walks are overrated unless you can run... If you get a walk and put the pitcher in a stretch, that helps. But the guy who walks and can't run, most of the time they're clogging up the bases for somebody who can run.
Dusty Baker
Now that the Mutiny is done with the first leg of the season (4 games vs divisional opponents) a little review perhaps. What stands out is that the Frick FIRST place team: the dirty Scurvy Dogs are dead last in On Base Percentage. .284 League average .309 The category leader are the Rum Runners at .349 That is pretty amazing. Very few Dogs clogging the bases but somehow they are winning.
Perhaps Slugging tells a better story. The Dogs are 4th in slugging at .423 League average .400 with the might Kraken at the league's best .455
I think the issue with my team OBP is that I’m playing a lot of guys specifically for their defense. Prime example - Jose Siri. EX/170 VG in CF but “batting” a putrid .107/.200/.238.
Varsho - .179/.248/.347 but EX/51 EX in RF
Of course it doesn’t help that Arraez doesn’t EVER walk either (1 BB in 143 AB) and some other guys like Harper (.231/.289) are underperforming.
But I’m happy with the standings at this point!
I've always probably overvalued OBP. But I believe the stats would show that in the 3 years I won this league (and the 8 World Series' I've been in), I was top 3 in OBP probably all 8 times.
Not to give away strategies too much, but I think a recipe for a WS-caliber club includes 5 major ingredients:
- 7+ guys in the lineup (both sides) with OBP's above .330
- 4 guys strategically placed in the lineup with SLG over .450
- 2 ACE-quality starters and ideally all starters covering 900 IPs with OPS's under .700
- 200+ IPs of lights out, shut-down bullpen arms
- 8+ defenders with an AVE or better rating, (VG+ up the middle)
You're welcome.
I think it absolutely matters WHERE you put those high-OBP, slow-runners.