Comments on: Breaking Down Frenchy’s Swing http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2006/07/breaking-down-frenchys-swing/ Economic Thinking about Baseball Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: kevin http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2006/07/breaking-down-frenchys-swing/comment-page-1/#comment-7608 kevin Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:51:33 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2006/07/breaking-down-frenchys-swing/#comment-7608 Two thoughts - 1. I would assume that Frenchy will have a rapid decline when he losses a little bat speed since he can't compensate by starting his bat earlier. (early warning for that free agent contract). 2. As to the moral/physical aspect of plate control - I think the post indicates that there could be a physical element. Players can increase their walk rate (Reyes this year and famously Sammy Sosa). Two thoughts –

1. I would assume that Frenchy will have a rapid decline when he losses a little bat speed since he can’t compensate by starting his bat earlier. (early warning for that free agent contract).

2. As to the moral/physical aspect of plate control – I think the post indicates that there could be a physical element. Players can increase their walk rate (Reyes this year and famously Sammy Sosa).

]]> By: Marc http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2006/07/breaking-down-frenchys-swing/comment-page-1/#comment-7563 Marc Mon, 24 Jul 2006 17:44:57 +0000 http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2006/07/breaking-down-frenchys-swing/#comment-7563 My guess is it's the kind of thing that can be compensated for, assuming that the player thinks that there is something wrong now. If Frenchy and the Braves are satisfied with lots of HRs and low OBP, they may not feel any need to tinker with his swing. The post is quite interesting however, in that it contradicts the idea that high OBP is a matter of plate discipline, ie, choosing not to swing at bad pitches, which implies a sort of moral component--ie, a disciplined hitter vs. an undisciplined hitter. This post suggests that it's more of a physical issue, ie, the way the guy swings, either because that is how he has learned or because of some flaw. My guess is it’s the kind of thing that can be compensated for, assuming that the player thinks that there is something wrong now. If Frenchy and the Braves are satisfied with lots of HRs and low OBP, they may not feel any need to tinker with his swing.

The post is quite interesting however, in that it contradicts the idea that high OBP is a matter of plate discipline, ie, choosing not to swing at bad pitches, which implies a sort of moral component–ie, a disciplined hitter vs. an undisciplined hitter. This post suggests that it’s more of a physical issue, ie, the way the guy swings, either because that is how he has learned or because of some flaw.

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