August 10, 2012

BP Unfiltered

A PITCHf/x Companion Piece on Jered Weaver

by Dan Brooks

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In an article today, Sam Miller explored some of Jered Weaver’s best pitches. Sam noted how Weaver’s results have changed vs. left-handed hitters, and then showed some of Weaver’s best two-seam fastballs and curveballs from his recent start.

I thought it would be interesting to do a quick query to see how Weaver’s approach has changed vs. LHH. Is he mixing his pitches the same way in 2012 that he did in 2008 and simply locating or sequencing them better, or is he using a different mix of pitches?

At least the latter is true - Weaver has gradually increased his usage of the twoseam fastball against LHH, from just under 5% in 2008 to just under 55% in 2012. At the same time, his usage of the fourseam fastball against LHH has taken a dramatic dive - from 53% in 2008 to a tick under 12% in 2012.

Here it is in graphical form: 

Sam also notes that Weaver’s results against RHH do not seem to have changed. He’s added the sinker against LHH, has he also added the sinker against RHH?

No. His approach (and results) against RHH have been remarkably consistent.

Pitch Tags compiled from the PITCH INFO LLC database. I would like to thank Harry Pavlidis for comments on an earlier draft of this article. 

Dan Brooks is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @brooksbaseball
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