Article: Jake Mauer On Advanced Statistics, Shifts And Platoons

[Seth Stohs]

Earlier this week, I enjoyed the three-game, home-opening series in Cedar Rapids. It’s always enjoyable to watch the young players develop and see their improvement and success going forward. On Monday afternoon, I was able to enjoy a twenty-minute one-on-one interview with Kernels manager Jake Mauer. We discussed many topics (and some will be written in future articles), but today, here are some of his thoughts on advanced statistics, shifts, platoons and more.When I got to Perfect Game Field at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium on Sunday, hours before the Kernels home opener, I went to the press box and overlooked the field. The grass was perfectly green. The lines were chalked. The gigantic scoreboard in right centerfield looked amazing. The Kernels players were down the right field line, and the Kernels coaches were near the dugout, fungoes in hand, clearly eager to start their new season.

 

I went down to the field and was greeted by the manager Jake Mauer and hitting coach Tommy Watkins. I recognized the Kernels’ new pitching coach, Henry Bonilla. However, there was another young man in uniform, holding a fungo and fitting in with the coaches.

 

I asked Tommy Watkins who it was. He replied, “That’s Chris Glynn, Gene’s son. He’s going to be interning with us this summer. He’ll be in charge of video, but he also wanted to help hit fungoes and is willing to throw some batting practice.”

 

The Low-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins had never really had a person responsible for video. From time to time, you would see one of the starting pitchers in the stands taking video of the team’s hitters or the pitcher, but it wasn’t really a formal process.

 

Talking with Chris following one of the Kernels games, he said he loves what he’s doing. For that game, he had to upload and sync five cameras. He did the video for the Rochester Red Wings a year ago. He played college baseball and loves that he can stay in the game and be a valuable part of the team and the players’ development. He just enjoys being at the ballpark every day. He said that the players are already taking advantage of the video.

 

That the Twins were encouraging it, even at their lowest full-season affiliate was encouraging. I thought I would ask Mauer about video but also about how the team is using other advanced statistics and methods.

 

Regarding how Mauer envisions his players utilizing the video, he said, “We’re going to try to monitor it a little bit. You don’t want guys in there just looking at their home runs. Also, you don’t want guys to get overloaded with info or they turn robotic. You still have to go out and play. It’s a useful tool where we can look at different things and look at tendencies and be able to make adjustments.”

 

The use of defensive shifts has overtaken major league baseball. However, Mauer said that you won’t see much of it with the Kernels, and for good reasons.

 

“We’ll move guys somewhat. We don’t throw the ball where we want to enough to do an all-out shift. You do it to a point, but nothing to the point you would see a big league club do.”

 

That fact was on display on Tuesday night. Left-handed hitting Zach Granite came to bat for the Kernels. For some reason, the Beloit Snappers – now an affiliate of the Oakland A’s – had the third baseman playing up to protect against a possible bunt, but then they had the shortstop play right behind second base. That led to a huge opening on the left-side of the infield. First, Granite typically uses the whole field. As important, and to Mauer’s point, all four pitches in the at-bat were on or off the outside corner. As you would expect, Granite lined a single to left field, right about where the shortstop would normally position himself.

 

In the Midwest League, there typically will not be much advanced scouting and the sample size used for shifting is very small. However, I think that Mauer’s point about the pitchers not always having the control to pitch to the shift is the bigger issue.

 

What about platoons? How much will matchups come into play at this level?

 

“It depends on the guy. It depends on the situation,” Mauer said, “Rookie ball, here, even Ft. Myers, they’re still so young. They’ve got to get at-bats. They’ve got to get experience. You’re not going to worry about matchups. Nick Gordon is going to play pretty much whether it’s a left-handed or right-handed starter. We’re not going to worry about it. Zach Granite the same way. We hit two lefties first and second. They’re going to bring a lefty in. That’s fine, but they’re going to have to see lefties. They’re going to have to play and get that experience.”

 

In talking with both Jake Mauer and Tommy Watkins, they are all ears when it comes to statistical analysis, video and the like. There’s a sense that it is there and we want to use every piece of information that we can. However, there is a line there. How do you translate all the data? How much is too much.

 

The key is not getting overwhelmed by it all. “We’re exposed to a lot more statistical information. Video and things that we have access to that we never did, even in AA, AAA, we didn’t have it. It’s starting to work its way down which I think is good too because a lot of these guys get exposed to it here. There’s a right and a wrong way to look at it. You can get overwhelmed by the information. You can look at it, but it’s not necessarily a Bible. It’s a tendency. Sometimes these young guys take it as a Bible. They go out there. This guy throws 60% breaking ball and he’s throwing all fastballs“

 

That’s where Glen Perkins and his dream-job-of-the-future (shaping statistical analysis to help players) comes in, right?

 

It is encouraging to see that these things are being discussed and some are being implemented even at the Low-A level.

 

Click here to view the article

[brvama]

Thanks, Seth for another interesting article. Looking forward to the rest.

[Lazarus]

Now if you can get Parker added onto Jake's staff to help the hitter's with their stride and pitcher's with their release points by using the video...any maybe help them with analyzing the spray charts. Knowledge you don't get in college...

[clutterheart]

They didn't have a video crew at CR until this year?

 

My goodness.

 

My nephew's travel team had video at least 2 years ago.

Maybe if the Twins stopped using CR as their nepotistic fiefdom they could actually be innovators instead of skeptical followers.

[Mike Sixel]

 

They didn't have a video crew at CR until this year?

My goodness.

My nephew's travel team had video at least 2 years ago.
Maybe if the Twins stopped using CR as their nepotistic fiefdom they could actually be innovators instead of skeptical followers.

 

I also found this baffling. Unreal even.

[bird]

nepotistic fiefdom. right. clear as day.

[rghrbek]

The Twins and one (or many) of their affiliates, late to the game, when it comes to video, or any type of advanced stats? Shocking.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Twins and one (or many) of their affiliates, late to the game, when it comes to video, or any type of advanced stats? Shocking.

 

For what it's worth, the Twins Low A affiliate had 5 cameras to get video from each game. The Oakland A's Low A affiliate had 0 cameras (that I saw) at the games.

 

A little perspective is important. 

[Mike Sixel]

Good to know they have it now, that's the key point. They are making progress, to me, it's hard to believe not everyone does it. In the grand scheme of the HUGH MONEY, this seems cheap to me.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

For what it's worth, the Twins Low A affiliate had 5 cameras to get video from each game. The Oakland A's Low A affiliate had 0 cameras (that I saw) at the games.

 

A little perspective is important. 

The games were in Cedar Rapids, so I wouldn't expect any Beloit cameras.

[Loosey]

I think Seth mentioned it in the article, they did do some ad hoc filming on their own.  But it's nice they do now have more of an official videographer.  That being said I would I don't think it needs to be used for advanced scouting of other teams tendencies since these players are all so young and still going through learning processes and may be either a completely different team next time they see them or players may change approaches, tendencies drastically during a season.

 

However, using it on their own players is something that should have been done once digital video became affordable 10 years ago.  In the Parker article the other day he mentioned how Brunansky is working with Arcia on dropping his hands, laying off high pitches, little things like that which have occurred during his time in the Majors.  If video was available while he was in the minors (and if they had someone qualified enough to analyze it) maybe some difficulties guys have once they get up to the Majors would be a little less drastic since they will know already what some of their bad habits are and would be able to look at the film to verify and then adjust.

 

But it's good the Twins are supporting this movement towards 21st century technology.

[ashbury]

 

Good to know they have it now, that's the key point. They are making progress, to me, it's hard to believe not everyone does it. In the grand scheme of the HUGH MONEY, this seems cheap to me.

 

In Hugh We Trust.

 

[Mike Sixel]

Sigh....though at least we got a cool $5 bill out of it....

[dxpavelka]

 

They didn't have a video crew at CR until this year?

My goodness.

My nephew's travel team had video at least 2 years ago.
Maybe if the Twins stopped using CR as their nepotistic fiefdom they could actually be innovators instead of skeptical followers.

Your nephew's traveling team probably had video manned by some overzealous parent who is convinced  his kid is the next Mike Trout.

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Your nephew's traveling team probably had video manned by some overzealous parent who is convinced  his kid is the next Mike Trout.

 

I laughed, good thing I was on mute on my conference call....

[Steven Buhr]

It's a significant step up, I agree, to have an intern assigned who has this kind of responsibility. Players and coaches, both of which are trying to better prepare themselves to do their jobs better as they get opportunities to move up higher in the organization, learn more about the benefits as they get more exposure to the technology.

 

As Seth mentioned, though, it would be wrong to assume it's the first year they've used video. Seeing last year's pitching coach, Ivan Arteaga, at the computer either by himself or along with various Kernels pitchers was certainly not a rarity. he would also man the video camera, himself, during some pitchers' bullpen sessions.

 

I've also been to Kernels road games in at least half a dozen other stadiums and there's only one that I recall seeing multiple video cameras set up. Kernels pitchers manning a video camera was a regular occurrence in the past, both at home and on the road.

[Thrylos]

Interesting stuff (but I did not read anything about advanced statistics )

 

At that level, some college players are still making the transition to wood, and everyone in general is pretty raw, positions are not determined yet, and they learn how to play the game in general.  Fundamentals and teaching situational hitting, pitching and fielding is much more important.

 

They got to develop that base before you go into more advanced.  And about 1/2 of the kids in the Midwest League will not make it to AA  and about 4/5 will not make it to the majors. 

 

[Jack Goin]

 

Now if you can get Parker added onto Jake's staff to help the hitter's with their stride and pitcher's with their release points by using the video...any maybe help them with analyzing the spray charts. Knowledge you don't get in college...

No offense to Parker but this is why we have a pitching coach and hitting coach at each level.  To help hitters hit and help pitchers pitch.

[Jack Goin]

 

The Twins and one (or many) of their affiliates, late to the game, when it comes to video, or any type of advanced stats? Shocking.

Not late. We have used video for about 7 years now. We have just formalized the process like Seth mentioned over the past 3 or 4 years. There are teams that have cut their minor league video programs and teams that only use it at their two highest levels. What advanced stats do you think are valuable in the Midwest League?

[Jack Goin]

 

The games were in Cedar Rapids, so I wouldn't expect any Beloit cameras.

Why not? Some of our video interns travel.

[Jack Goin]

 

It's a significant step up, I agree, to have an intern assigned who has this kind of responsibility. Players and coaches, both of which are trying to better prepare themselves to do their jobs better as they get opportunities to move up higher in the organization, learn more about the benefits as they get more exposure to the technology.

 

As Seth mentioned, though, it would be wrong to assume it's the first year they've used video. Seeing last year's pitching coach, Ivan Arteaga, at the computer either by himself or along with various Kernels pitchers was certainly not a rarity. he would also man the video camera, himself, during some pitchers' bullpen sessions.

 

I've also been to Kernels road games in at least half a dozen other stadiums and there's only one that I recall seeing multiple video cameras set up. Kernels pitchers manning a video camera was a regular occurrence in the past, both at home and on the road.

You are correct here. We introduced the more formal video program in 3A and 2A a few years ago. We expanded it to Ft. Myers last season. With the completion of two state-of-the-art video rooms on the Minor League side and inside the stadium in FL we expanded the intern program this year to Cedar Rapids. We have approximately 5 interns and a full-time guy. We showed our coaches and other staff how the program would work and expanded it at a responsible pace.

[USAFChief]

Jack: thanks for the factual info.

[Shane Wahl]

That's way more promising, Jack!

[clutterheart]

...responsible pace.

This is the most Twinsesque phrase ever. What does "responsible pace" really mean?

My guess is nothing. But I wouldn't be surprised to see it emblazoned on the office walls.

[Jack Goin]

 

This is the most Twinsesque phrase ever. What does "responsible pace" really mean?
My guess is nothing. But I wouldn't be surprised to see it emblazoned on the office walls.

Jamming change down peoples' throats usually doesn't work too well.  So we started in 3A and 2A for a reason - to get players who were closer to the big leagues familiar with the same video system they would be using upon their arrival in Minnesota. After our Minor League coordinators and coaching staff saw the benefits at those levels we expanded the program. Responsible pace means we made sure people who were going to be affected by the change in video operations were aware of how the tool could be used and could benefit them. Once a group likes what is going on with the program it becomes easier to implement in other affiliates because they are familiar with it. If we tried to change the way we did video at four affiliates at once and it was disorganized or bombed, people were not going to use it. We needed to create buy in from players and more importantly coaches and coordinators. So we concentrated our efforts in two spots. We didn't do Cedar Rapids last season because we knew we were going to have a brand new video room in Ft. Myers for 2015 and wouldn't need the thousands of dollars in equipment there this season. We still had video in CR just not on the same program.

[Jack Goin]

 

Jack: thanks for the factual info.

You're welcome. 

[Jack Goin]

 

That's way more promising, Jack!

Thanks Shane. I would say it's more than promising. We believe it is going very well. A group of us have spent a lot of time planning out the most effective uses for the video and creating a thorough program. I thought our Spring Training video crew did an excellent job this year, capturing a lot of Major League and Minor League video for various numbers of instructional purposes.

[bird]

Having access to advanced video has got to be way way way more important to coaches and players than advanced stats, especially in the minors, where most stats have more limited value and meaning.

 

Right here among us TD'ers, we love Parker's video stuff. We learn something. On the other hand, at least for some of us anyway, our eyes glaze over when we see a recitation of a bunch of advanced metrics involving minor leaguers.

Edited April 18, 2015 by birdwatcher

[JB_Iowa]

Thanks for the info, Jack.

 

If you pop your head back in, do you know when they might start televising Lookouts home games?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Jamming change down peoples' throats usually doesn't work too well.  So we started in 3A and 2A for a reason - to get players who were closer to the big leagues familiar with the same video system they would be using upon their arrival in Minnesota. After our Minor League coordinators and coaching staff saw the benefits at those levels we expanded the program. Responsible pace means we made sure people who were going to be affected by the change in video operations were aware of how the tool could be used and could benefit them. Once a group likes what is going on with the program it becomes easier to implement in other affiliates because they are familiar with it. If we tried to change the way we did video at four affiliates at once and it was disorganized or bombed, people were not going to use it. We needed to create buy in from players and more importantly coaches and coordinators. So we concentrated our efforts in two spots. We didn't do Cedar Rapids last season because we knew we were going to have a brand new video room in Ft. Myers for 2015 and wouldn't need the thousands of dollars in equipment there this season. We still had video in CR just not on the same program.

Thank you, Jack. As someone who has been a technical lead on more projects than I can count, it can't be overstated how useless tools are unless you get the tool users to buy into said tool.

 

And that takes time... and often, many compromises that techies don't like to make.