Phillies Breakfast Links, November 24, 2009: Utley Rules, Whippersnappers!

by WholeCamels on Nov 24, 2009 8:21 AM EST

Lauber: Newfangled pitching stat shows Cole Hamels wasn't much different than last season
FIP FIP FIP FIP FIP

NL MVP: It’s gotta be Albert, right?
At least the writers in St. Louis appreciate Chase Utley.

The Hardball Times book excerpt - Pat Moran.

Cool piece from Chris Jaffe on the manager of the 1915 National League Champion Phillies.

STRONG CANDIDATE - Ryan Howard puts together another MVP caliber season
I love Ryan Howard -- I do! -- but his presence on the roster just takes MVP attention away from Chase Utley, who is a better player. But it's a moot point, Albert Pujols should win this thing unanimously.

Bill Conlin: Big gray area for MLB free agents

The rocket-armed veteran gave Ryan Howard letter-high throws at first and was the most productive No. 7 hitter in the NL with 82 RBI while leading the Phillies with a .336 average when batting with runners in scoring position.

Please tell me he didn't just cite those stats.

Phils' training staff honored with award

Despite injuries to guys like Brett Myers, Raul Ibanez, and Jamie Moyer, the team's core has been remarkably durable.

Phillies FA Preview: Third Base

According to Baseball-Reference.com, the Phillies converted just 29 percent of their opportunities for a productive out, the third-worst percentage in the National League. With a man on third and less than two out, the Phillies scored just 48 percent of the time, which ranked in the bottom half of the NL.

Over the last three years, Polanco has converted on 32.8 percent of his opportunities for a productive out. DeRosa, on the other hand, has converted on 29.5 percent. Polanco also hits for a higher average, strikes out less, and has 13 sacrifice hits over the last two years compared to DeRosa's seven.

And the Phillies were so bad at "productive outs" that they led the league in runs scored! Two of the past three seasons!

Pitcher Park Rides Rocky Road
ENGLISH DONG-A!

No rest for Phillies prospects this winter | phillies.com: News
OK, I'm really worried about Domonic Brown... not.

Victorino pours his heart into charity golf event
Good guy!

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Comments

That productive out snippet

is what gives using stats a bad name.

by David S. Cohen on Nov 24, 2009 9:02 AM EST reply actions

one chair

I don’t know what’s worse; that Productive Out bit, or Conlin citing Feliz’s RBI and RISP AVG. His favoritism is just amazing.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Nov 24, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

At least his man-love for Amaro may be starting to wane just a bit…

by Boundforbeach on Nov 24, 2009 10:26 AM EST up reply actions

See, this is the kind of shit that makes it impossible for me to take seriously anything that Jabba the Hut…er…Conlin writes.

I mean, how mainstream does a stat need to get before he’s willing to cite it? And conversely, how much does a stat need to be discredited before he’s not willing to cite it anymore? OBP, SLG, and OPS are mainstream enough for the ESPN broadcast to include them.

This is the problem with leaving writing about a highly statistical game like baseball to people who have no knowledge of statistics whatsoever. I understand there is a middle ground, but Conlin writing about baseball from his pseudo-statistical perspective is like a doctor with no understanding of biology trying to diagnose someone.

by FuquaManuel on Nov 24, 2009 11:11 AM EST reply actions

The Prospects article got me realizing how many top prospects the Phillies have who were late round picks (for the record, I say late round because in an interview Billy Beane did with John Sickels the other day he called round 5 and beyond the late rounds of the draft). 20th round, 11th round, amateur free agent that’s good scouting and development work.

by Cormican on Nov 24, 2009 11:16 AM EST reply actions

Someone with more knowledge of prospects than I would be able to say how many of these guys were more about signability than talent.

Still a great point, though.

by Aphilfan on Nov 24, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

I could live without a calendar anywhere, and at least know when it’s September, because that’s when Ryan inevitably creeps into the “MVP picture”.

by Walcott on Nov 24, 2009 11:37 AM EST reply actions

although its regular season based

i could live without a november calendar because that’s when ryan howar creeped OUT of the mvp picture for me.

www.WorldF-ingChampions.com

by sixrfan on Nov 24, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions

november

But your vote would have been cast already.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Nov 24, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions

Nice news about Mathieson. I’m becoming a fan and rooting hard for him.

by Wet Luzinski on Nov 24, 2009 6:32 PM EST reply actions

I've been a fan for years

…and I’m thrilled that he looks to get another shot at the majors. Doesn’t hurt that he’s apparently throwing harder than ever.

by phatj on Nov 24, 2009 11:13 PM EST up reply actions

The health is a huge assumption, but as far as 2009 goes, so far so good, and if he stays that way could be a good upgrade over Durbin or Myers. If Romero reverts to his good form, all of a sudden we look both deep and effective in the pen.

by Wet Luzinski on Nov 25, 2009 7:05 PM EST up reply actions