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May 15, 2003
by Keith Woolner
In Baseball Prospectus 2003, we introduced a new rate metric in lieu of Equivalent Average (EqA), which graced the pages of previous editions. This metric, Marginal Lineup Value Rate (MLVr), measures how much offense a player produces compared to an average player. Since the publication of BP 2003, one of the most common questions I've received concerns what the scale of MLVr is, or in other words, what a "good" MLVr is.
As a new and unfamiliar metric, MLVr lacks the built-in recognition factor that something like EqA had, which was designed to follow the familiar batting average scale. The tradeoff, however, is that the "units" of EqA don't measure anything--one point of EqA doesn't equate to one run, or a tenth of a run, or a fraction of a win, or anything else that's tangible. Equivalent Average is essentially a dimensionless index that follows offense production, but does not, by itself, measure it. Instead it's made so that the "installed base" of baseball fans can understand it.
MLVr takes the opposite tack, choosing to express results in terms of runs per game, (and more specifically, runs per game above or below a league average player), rather than a more familiar scale. This makes it more useful for quantitative analysis, at the expense of being more opaque to casual baseball fans.
April 1, 2003
by Keith Woolner
Keith Woolner takes a second look at OBP, righting a big wrong in the process.
March 25, 2003
by Keith Woolner
First, I want to apologize for the long absence of AFTH from the web site. In addition to the usual off-season book-writing duties, I spent the winter relocating to the east coast from California as well as welcoming a new baby to the family. But I'm getting settled now, and hope to be writing AFTH and doing other research again in between feedings and diaper changes.
November 21, 2002
by Keith Woolner and Rodger A. Payne
Based solely on offense, expected runs created - given the scenario that your total starting lineup team OPS was fixed at a certain number. Would you be better off building a team with a few superstars, balanced off with some truly horrible players or a team of mostly mediocre players?
August 30, 2002
by Keith Woolner
This week's question comes from Sam Grossman, who writes:
What percentage of "quality starts" results in Ws, Ls and NDs for the starting pitcher? What about Ws and Ls for the team?
Has this been consistent across time (effect of bullpens, etc.)?
July 18, 2002
by Keith Woolner
This week's question comes from Chuck Valenches, who writes:
I am the broadcaster for the Pirates' Triple-A club, the Nashville Sounds. We do a promotion where fans are encouraged to write in and "Ask the Sounds".... One question we received we cannot find an answer for.
Q. Has there ever been a game in which both teams scored at least one run in every inning, and when was the last time it happened?
July 12, 2002
by Keith Woolner
More mailbag.
June 26, 2002
by Keith Woolner
Many people brought up the point that strikeouts can only kick in at three pitches, and walks at four pitches.
by Keith Woolner
June 11, 2002
by Keith Woolner
Looking at which length of a plate appearance favors the hitter, the pitcher, or neither
by Keith Woolner
June 6, 2002
by Keith Woolner
PAP Q&A
June 5, 2002
by Keith Woolner
May 29, 2002
by Keith Woolner
May 7, 2002
by Keith Woolner
This week's question comes from Robert Shore, who asks:
Like many people, I was mightily impressed by Voros McCracken's work, which strongly suggested that pitchers have essentially no effect on the conversion of balls in play to outs. It occurred to me to wonder about the converse question. Are some batters better than others in converting balls in play to base hits?
by Keith Woolner
Starting today, we will be periodically running some of the best content from the new, super-charged Baseball Prospectus archives. Those new to BP may be reading this content for the first time. Long-time readers can rekindle old debates. We begin today with Keith Woolner's look at the conversion of balls in play into outs, from 2002. To do your own mining, go to BP's Search function. To request a specific article from the archives, e-mail jkeri@baseballprospectus.com.
May 3, 2002
by Keith Woolner
April 1, 2002
by Keith Woolner
This week's question comes from A.F., who writes:
I recently found an article from last season by Joe Morgan that I don't quite understand...
by Keith Woolner
February 12, 2002
by Keith Woolner
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