Article: MIN 13, TOR 7: Mauer Grand Slam Among 4 Twins Homers In Comeback Victory

[Blackjack]

 

that's what the minors are for, right?

Sure. But in order to be good at anything, you need to keep doing it in a high pressure, game situation. If you have a veteran player that hasn't bunted in a few years, how good will they be at it??  Bunt periodically to keep defenses honest and so you know how to do it when its really needed in a game situation.

[Cap'n Piranha]

Since the break, Buxton is fourth among all center fielders in WAR, and is actually outhitting Mike Trout (Buck has a better average and slug, with a much lower OBP). He also has only two fewer homers than Trout despite 68 fewer plate appearances. In other words, if Buxton hits like this the entire year next year, while holding his advantage in baserunning and defense, he will in all likelihood be a better player than Mike Trout.

[Doubles]

 

All those who put the loss on Molitor for not pulling Colon sooner should tip their hats to him today for letting Gibson continue. 

 

The two situations were not remotely similar.  

 

So..no.  

 

Chief, I love that you view baseball as it is-  a nuanced, situation-specific game.  So much more to it than, "Why did they  ________ tonight, when last night they did something completely different."

 

 

 

 

[brvama]

It was really nice to see Joe turn on that inside pitch. Here's hoping he can do that in Yankee Stadium a couple of times. I'm as happy for Joe as I'm for the Twins that he's hitting as well as he has. This season should help them tremendously going forward.

[DocBauer]

I didn't get to see or listen to the game, just monitor the game log and box. But hats off to Gibson for overcoming such a rough start and manning up for the next 6 innings. That was HUGE!

[yarnivek1972]

The two situations were not remotely similar.

 

So..no.

They may not bave been similar situations, but I honestly don't think anyone would have second guessed pulling Gibson after the second inning Donaldson HR. Especially with his track record.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Sure. But in order to be good at anything, you need to keep doing it in a high pressure, game situation. If you have a veteran player that hasn't bunted in a few years, how good will they be at it??  Bunt periodically to keep defenses honest and so you know how to do it when its really needed in a game situation.

I think the experience value of "periodic" (meaning infrequent) bunts is pretty much non-existent.  Just like you don't become a meaningfully better defender at a position if you only play it once every couple months.  That experience is just too infrequent to be meaningful.  Even if it's not "high pressure game situations", it probably comes down to practice plus innate skill and comfort.  And that's going to show up in the data -- a guy like Dozier who just isn't comfortable bunting isn't going to do it, even just once every couple months.

 

Also, for a good hitter, bunting is virtually never "needed" in a game situation.  Guys like Adrianza, Gimenez, rookie Granite, pitchers, sure.  But not good hitters.

[Blackjack]

 

I think the experience value of "periodic" (meaning infrequent) bunts is pretty much non-existent.  Just like you don't become a meaningfully better defender at a position if you only play it once every couple months.  That experience is just too infrequent to be meaningful.  Even if it's not "high pressure game situations", it probably comes down to practice plus innate skill and comfort.  And that's going to show up in the data -- a guy like Dozier who just isn't comfortable bunting isn't going to do it, even just once every couple months.

 

 

I guess it depends upon your definition of periodic.

 

---------------------------

Definition of periodic
1 a :occurring or recurring at regular intervals
b :occurring repeatedly from time to time

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To me periodic, in a baseball terms, would be weekly, since they play almost every day.

[Blackjack]

 

 

 

Also, for a good hitter, bunting is virtually never "needed" in a game situation.  Guys like Adrianza, Gimenez, rookie Granite, pitchers, sure.  But not good hitters.

Maybe not needed, but a bunt is another weapon to be used.

 

Back to the original Dozier bunt reference, he 'kept the line moving' by bunting, isn't that really what matters??

[jimmer]

Since the break, Buxton is fourth among all center fielders in WAR, and is actually outhitting Mike Trout (Buck has a better average and slug, with a much lower OBP). He also has only two fewer homers than Trout despite 68 fewer plate appearances. In other words, if Buxton hits like this the entire year next year, while holding his advantage in baserunning and defense, he will in all likelihood be a better player than Mike Trout.

yeah, as soon as he does it for 6 straight years...

 

Since the break, Trout has a 168 wRC+ in 250 PAs, Buxton is at 154 with 182 PA.

 

I love Buxton, but I refuse to put the pressure of living up to Trout's ability on Buxton. Trout could very well end up a top 5 position player ever when its all said and done.

Edited September 18, 2017 by jimmer

[Otto von Ballpark]

To me periodic, in a baseball terms, would be weekly, since they play almost every day.

You want good hitters to be bunting, in actual games, weekly?

[Blackjack]

 

You want good hitters to be bunting, in actual games, weekly?

Sure. Not the Sano's of the world but whats the difference if Buxton bunts for a hit and steals second or hits a double??

[Otto von Ballpark]

Sure. Not the Sano's of the world but whats the difference if Buxton bunts for a hit and steals second or hits a double??

Buxton is one of the fastest guys in the league. No one here has disputed he should be bunting for a hit sometimes. What about Dozier? Mauer? Stanton? You want them bunting weekly, regardless of results?

[Blackjack]

 

Buxton is one of the fastest guys in the league. No one here has disputed he should be bunting for a hit sometimes. What about Dozier? Mauer? Stanton? You want them bunting weekly, regardless of results?

Stanton? I said previously not the Sano's of the world.  Arguing for arguments sake.

 

This bunting discussion started because Dozier bunted for a hit when he saw the infield drawn back.  That's my point, take advantage for what the defense does. Bunt a few times, the defense moves in, making it easier to hit thru that hole, keep the defense honest, in the meantime getting a bunt hit and keeping the line moving. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

Stanton? I said previously not the Sano's of the world. Arguing for arguments sake.

 

This bunting discussion started because Dozier bunted for a hit when he saw the infield drawn back. That's my point, take advantage for what the defense does. Bunt a few times, the defense moves in, making it easier to hit thru that hole, keep the defense honest, in the meantime getting a bunt hit and keeping the line moving.

Sorry, I missed the Sano thing.

 

But notice that Dozier isn't bunting weekly. Also notice that you didn't say anything now about bunting just for the sake of bunting experience.

 

Again, no one here is quibbling with the idea of fast guys bunting for a hit sometimes, or a guy like Dozier catching the defense napping twice a season. But your "weekly experience" thing seemed to be arguing for more than that, which sounds like a good way for a lot of guys to give up regular PAs (and potential XBH) without much gain. Also have to factor in that regular bunt attempts will probably make defenses better at handling bunts, more than it will make any individual hunter better.