Cubs f/x: 2008 Cubs PITCHf/x

Sunday, March 30, 2008

2008 Cubs PITCHf/x - Pitchers

What You'll Find Here

All data presented in this post is from 2007 games in Wrigley Field, unless otherwise noted. Many of the pitchers have been covered previously, so some of the following sections will be comprised of a link.

Explanation of the Charts

These charts are all from the catcher's perspective.

PFX - spin movement in inches
The two dimensions (pfx_x and pfx_z) tell you how much the ball moved based on spin alone - not trajectory or arm angle. It is impacted by weather and altitude.

The "x" tells you horizontal movement (in inches) and the "z" is vertical. Gravity is taken out of the calculation for pfx_z, so the movement is how much the ball moved up or down due to spin as opposed to gravity alone. A positive number does not mean the ball is literally rising. But it may be perceived as such by hitters. A number close to, or below, 0, for pfx_z is a pitch that drops quite a bit. In general, note the pfx_z value for a pitcher's fastest pitch, and consider the number of inches of difference between that and their other pitches.

Release Points and Plate Location (feet)
pretty much self-explanatory, measured as x0 and z0 (x and z location at time 0). Release points for all data in this analysis is from 50ft out (y0=50) - not exactly release point, but shortly thereafter. The black bar on the release charts shows the pitcher's height + 10 inches.

Plate location is when y=1.47ft. It's values (px and pz) are shown in the tables, charts are part of a later edition on hits and outs.

Starting with the injured Scott Eyre. Eyre throws a fastball (90-91), a slider (82-83) and a cutter/change-up (80-81).

Jon Lieber
Very limited data available, see here for a brief "analysis". I'll chart Jon once 2008 numbers pour in.

Bob Howry has either one, two or three fastballs. You be the judge.

Trip down memory lane (to September) for Carlos Marmol - here is an analysis of his two pitches. I call his slider a curve ball, but it is still nasty as all git'up. I need to revive the 5th graph from that post. Update: I've found some other analysis, more recent, that I forgot that I ran. He appears to have three pitches. I'll link that up later.

Our closer, Kerry Wood. Don't expect much of pitch #4 this year.

Carmen Pignatiello was covered recently right here.

Kevin Hart is on the team after a good showing last year and strong performance in camp. For now, I'll call it three pitches, but it could be two fastballs up there. I'll see what 2008 shows us.

Michael Wuertz is coveted by other teams, like the Tigers, as he his a key man in the bullpen, but keeps a low profile. He's got a fastball-slider-curve combo that is very effective.