Article: Has Average Joe Returned?

[Dantes929]

I agree.  I just remember a decent stretch last year preceding an injury that prompted the Trib to write an article about how he was back.    I took it as a good sign but was not convinced.   I like that it looks like he is just trying to square it up rather than trying to pull or trying to hit it out.    I like his willingness to bunt for a hit if they shift him     I can live with the shift beating him on well hit balls as long as he continues to produce well hit balls.   SSS or not, these are the kinds of streaks that make me like watching Mauer.    I was never one to complain when he sits out with injuries.    I don't want him to play hurt and hit .260 even if it is better than the rest of the team because that is not special.    What is special is long streaks of him hitting .350 or better.

[DocBauer]

dxpavelka kind of stole my thunder. Very happy to see Joe looking like his old self again. And with that, until or unless someone else emerges, if Mauer actual is Mauer again, I'd keep him in the 3 spot I think.

 

With the overall RH-NESS of the lineup, and a fair number of SO'S projected for the season, he has the ability to break up a run of mostly RH bats, get on base, but also knock in runners with hits, doubles and the occasional HR.

 

I just think the lineup plays better 4 Sano, 5 Plouffe, and then a mix of Arcia-Park-Rosario 6-7.

[ken]

 

I agree. Normally, in a balanced lineup, I wouldn't care too much... But when your lineup looks like this:

 

Bad OBP

Bad OBP

Elite OBP

Bad OBP

Bad OBP

...

...

 

You better get the good on-base guy as far up that lineup as possible.

Over the last 5+ years, I believe slugging percentage has actually been a better indication of runs scored than OBP.  The game has changed and power is becoming what everyone is looking to get in the lineup.

 

The top part of the lineup really needs Dozier to pick up his game.  He had power, speed and he shown the ability to get on base.  If he doesn't start hitting, he becomes a problem in the lineup.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Over the last 5+ years, I believe slugging percentage has actually been a better indication of runs scored than OBP.  The game has changed and power is becoming what everyone is looking to get in the lineup.

 

The top part of the lineup really needs Dozier to pick up his game.  He had power, speed and he shown the ability to get on base.  If he doesn't start hitting, he becomes a problem in the lineup.

I don't recall which has a stronger correlation to runs scored but I know OBP and SLG are close.

 

My point wasn't so much about which stat correlates more closely, it was more about getting Mauer and his elite OBP as many PAs as possible throughout the season and letting the mashers behind him drive him home.

 

Mauer is going to have a hard time driving Sano home much of the time but in theory, Miguel will not have as much difficulty doing the same for Joe.

[jimmer]

 

I don't recall which has a stronger correlation to runs scored but I know OBP and SLG are close.

 

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/community/when-slugging-percentage-beats-on-base-percentage/

 

I thought I'd share this and let everyone's head explode.  :-)

Edited April 19, 2016 by jimmer

[David HK]

Great to see Joe looking like Joe again.  Plus, he got rid of that stupid-looking beard.  I'll bet it's some sort of Samson-in-reverse thing.

[h2oface]

 

Hard to see and appreciate the positives of an 0 and 9 start, but Mauer has to be one of them.  Escobar another one, except for defense.  And then, there's the starting pitching and runs allowed overall.

 

It didn't help that the Twins started on the road at, arguably, the two best AL teams.  Or that Chicago started hot.

 

It is what it is, but a OBP machine in the middle of the lineup is exactly what is needed to produce scoring opportunities.

 That would have to mean that Baltimore is one of the two best American League teams. I would argue that that is a total fallacy. A hot start does not mean that they are anywhere close to AL's best team. I believe a couple of short months will prove that. I also think that Minnesota's horrible performance was because they were horrible, and Baltimore reaped the benefit.

 

Mauer has certainly been impressive.

[Linus]

http://www.fangraphs.com/community/when-slugging-percentage-beats-on-base-percentage/

 

I thought I'd share this and let everyone's head explode. :-)

This was interesting. I'm curious why the head exploding thing?

[Brock Beauchamp]

http://www.fangraphs.com/community/when-slugging-percentage-beats-on-base-percentage/

 

I thought I'd share this and let everyone's head explode. :-)

Thanks. I thought OBP had a stronger correlation but for some reason, I was doubting myself after the earlier comment.

[big dog]

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/community/when-slugging-percentage-beats-on-base-percentage/

 

I thought I'd share this and let everyone's head explode.  :-)

I thought this was interesting- thanks. I learned things.

 

This sentence certainly conflicted with the tone of the rest of it, though:

"Again, this isn’t a really strong relationship, but you can kind of see it."  Hmmm...it is always tempting to use our eyes to do statistics when we don't get a strong enough result from the calculator.