http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=29085

This is exactly what I was looking for. I was wondering how often the shift actually works and its effect. Thanks

Seemed to me that Castro laid down a nice bunt against the Twins yesterday.  I mean if you know teams are going to shift you, you should be practicing bunting at least an hour every day.  If then continue to run the shift out there and you can bunt successfully against it, a hitter will probably get at least 1 extra hit per month, add 6 - 7 hits on to any one of the Twins averages last year and I bet their overall hitting averages go up fairly significantly.  All this whining about shifts makes me sick. 

 

7 extra hits for Joe Mauer last year takes him from .265 to .277.  I mean how stubborn are these hitters.  Start bunting or drag bunting or pushing the ball into open spots if they aren't going to fill them.  Obviously with a guy on 3rd and the team needs a fly ball to score him you hit away.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by Twodogs

 

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=29085

 

Seems like this study is only looking at infield shifts.  I would consider the way opposing OF's line up against Mauer a shift as well, one that caused his issues.

 

I think reason #1 on the BP analysis is accurate.  Teams are likely over-shifting a bit now, due to pressure, etc.  But a guy like David Ortiz, whose career pull % is near 50% had career lows in BABIP in 2013 and 2014.  If a guy is pull happy and doesn't change his approach, then it would seem almost impossible for having three infielders on the one side to not be effective.

Edited May 3, 201610 yr by tobi0040

No, way.  Let them shift all they want.  The only rule (which I'm sure already is one) would be the pitcher pitches from the rubber and catcher behind home plate.  Other than that, let them put 7 guys on 3rd base if they think it will help defensively.

 

Hitters need to adapt.  Personally I would think the shift would make hitting easier.  Say you are a right handed hitter and they shift to the left side of the field, leaving the whole right side open.  That should essentially tell the hitter he is going to be pitched inner half of the plate that at bat.  If the pitcher makes a small mistake and leaves a pitcher down the middle or outside, the batter just needs to hit a roller to where the 2nd baseman would normally play and he has a hit.