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By Steve Adams | at
Email a copy of 'NL Central Notes: Diaz, Kang, Cards, Hazelbaker, Cubs' to a friend
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jb226
Their strong ABs is an overlooked strength of this Cubs squad. The Cubs had the highest pitches/PA in baseball last year, and they added Zobrist and Heyward who, if memory serves, were both top 30 or so in that category as well.
Even if they’re not hitting well, those long at-bats will help to get the team into that juicy middle relief area that is a vulnerability for so many teams.
bravesfan88
Not to mention think how well it will serve them in a playoff series!!…
And I was already working on my comment before you posted yours, so just a few stats below if you care to take a look.
Pretty spot on memory though man!! Have to give credit where it is due lol…
But yes, I wholeheartedly agree, their prowess at working pitchers is definitely one of their most overlooked strengths!! In my opinion, it is their main strength, and with the youngsters already adapting this approach they are truly just going to get better and better!!
It also isn’t just wearing down pitchers, they are also able to see pitchers movement that day for paricular pitchers, and they are able to give better scouting reports for the hitters coming up behind them. It is an excellent strategy, and it is one that I am suprised does not get more publicity…I guess walks, and P/PA are not sexy stats…However, they are definitely two stats that will win you some ballgames, and the two are truly great for long-term, sustained success!!
bravesfan88
Last season, if a player had 43 walks, then he was considered to be in the top 100, for that category in the majors.
With that being said, the following is a list of some of the Cubs players and their walk totals:
Dexter Fowler: 84
Anthony Rizzo: 78
Kris Bryant: 77
++Ben Zobrist: 62 (Ranked 30th)
Miguel Montero: 59
++Jason Heyward: 56 (Ranked 44th)
Addison Russell: 42
Kyle Schwarber: 36
Jorge Soler: 32
Also, in the NL, Addison Russell was ranked 7th last year in P/PA, Dexter Fowler 10th, Bryant 11th, Rizzo 24th, and Heyward 34th, and Zobrist was ranked 15th in the AL.
Not to mention, if Schwarber would have qualified, he would have finished 5th in all of baseball averaging 4.26 P/PA. Now, obviously both these players had fewer at-bats, but Tommy La Stella also worked pitchers when he played by averaging 4.29 P/PA.
The Cubs are truly wearing down pitchers, seeing ALOT of pitches, giving their teammates good feedback, and overall doing an excellent job at truly making pitchers work to get them out!
The scariest part is that their younger players are really adapting this approach, and they will only get better as they gain more experience. It is scary to think how good this line-up can truly become, when all of the parts are moving together at the same time.
Obviously, by adding Zobrist, Heyward, and re-signing Fowler, their GM has a plan at the type of hitters he wants in his line-up. He wants his guys to work deep counts, take walks, see their arsenals, and ultimately he wants his guys to just slowly and steadily wear down the opposing pitcher.
This practice will pay HUGE dividends come playoff time, and I really see them as a definite force to be reckoned with for a long, long time, if they keep up this organization-wide approach!!
Otto371
read Einar Diaz at first glance. crazy.
hammer57
Cubs chased Simon in the first inning last night, after 49 pitches. They are fun to watch.
Robertowannabe
Well, Bucs may well look to extend Cervelli now. If Diaz were to be healthy, he would have been the bridge to McGuire. Now it looks like the Bucs will need Cervelli or someone else outside the organization to serve as that bridge.
thebare
Let’s do like the Royal fans did last year Chicago both Cubs