Shifts

[Rebbiv]

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/160183180/shifts-may-change-way-baseball-is-scored

Some form employed

2015 = 18,000

2010 = 2,400


Employing a shift is not normal for right-handed hitters and almost a common place now for left-handed hitters, especially pull hitters. The First-baseman will never play on the opposite side of second-base, where the Third-basemen has played on the opposite of second-base.

These shifts have effected the stats of certain players.

 

[Mitchrapp]

Infielder defense adjusted, now the offensive players need to adjust. I guess they can't learn to hit the other way after pulling for so long. Need to do some check swing bunting.. That'll beat it. Unfortunately those "pullers" can't even do that. Either that or singles are too good for them.

 

[Rebbiv]

Infielder defense adjusted, now the offensive players need to adjust. I guess they can't learn to hit the other way after pulling for so long. Need to do some check swing bunting.. That'll beat it. Unfortunately those "pullers" can't even do that. Either that or singles are too good for them.

But it largely only effects lefthanded hitters and mostly when the bases are empty or no force is in place. There was a few times this year that Victor slapped the ball down 3rd base line. But that is Victor.

AL vs RHP as L

2007 = .352 OBP .439 SLG .790 OPS
2008 = .349 OBP .432 SLG .781 OPS
2009 = .350 OBP .444 SLG .794 OPS
2010 = .342 OBP .417 SLG .759 OPS

2011 = .328 OBP .414 SLG .742 OPS
2012 = .331 OBP .425 SLG .756 OPS
2013 = .329 OBP .417 SLG .746 OPS
2014 = .323 OBP .392 SLG .715 OPS
2015 = .323 OBP .415 SLG .738 OPS


AL vs RHP as R

2007 = .320 OBP .404 SLG .724 OPS
2008 = .323 OBP .411 SLG .734 OPS
2009 = .321 OBP .416 SLG .737 OPS
2010 = .315 OBP .409 SLG .724 OPS

2011 = .312 OBP .403 SLG .715 OPS
2012 = .308 OBP .402 SLG .710 OPS
2013 = .311 OBP .396 SLG .708 OPS
2014 = .306 OBP .388 SLG .694 OPS
2015 = .310 OBP .413 SLG .723 OPS


While there is a falloff with Right-handed hitters, it is not as pronounced as lefties against RHP.

Hence why I believe DET is not pursuing any Left-handed hitters. There used to be a substantial difference and now there isn't as much and that is due to the shifts that are being employed.

 

[Mitchrapp]

That's good stuff. But I would still think a lefty would help just based on the P's would see a different hand now and again. Or go grab a lefty who can go to different fields. Easier said than done I know.

As I'm thinking about it, I wonder if there's many LH hitters who go to all fields - probably not as prominent as RH hitters.