Interesting Laird vs. Popup stat

by carterman on Aug 20, 2006 4:14 PM CDT

Catcher ERA:
Laird: 4.56
Popup: 4.74

I don't know if that really means anything, and I'm sure that some more research could be done to try and check the validity of those numbers beyond possibly being a coincidence, but hey, just throwing it out there as something for the "Barajas Sucks" crowd.

Which I consider myself a part of.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

i think

that thats too small of a differecne to draw any conclusions from

interesting though

ive cooled on laird though, he needs to show something against righties

by DShep on Aug 20, 2006 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

i did look at it a month ago.

The thing I tried to do was look at it on a pitcher by pitcher basis. For the most part, it was hard to tell because barajas has handled each pitcher so many more times than laird. However, laird definitely did better with millwood and laird had only three starts with padilla and all of them wree horrible (again, a month ago). Fairly interesting but for the most part, unless a pitcher really likes one over the other, it doens't make a difference.

by ab03 on Aug 20, 2006 4:56 PM CDT reply actions

I remember this

I believe I had asked the board for the stat. I think we came to the conclusion that Padilla should have Barajas as his personal catcher and Laird catch the rest.

I have always wondered which catcher the pitcher would pick most often if Buck just told the pitchers to choose. It would never happen and it would be an atom bomb to the clubhouse, but I am curious.

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Aug 20, 2006 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions

splits

Laird vs. lefties - 1.160 ops
Laird vs. righties - .722 ops
overall - .901

Popup vs. lefties - .640 ops
Popup vs. righties - .733
overall - .718

I think Laird will get better at righties in time. Even if he doesn't Buck has no reason to start popup over him at all, and he's still more than acceptable offensively as a catcher.

by t ball on Aug 20, 2006 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

p.s.

to actually respond directly to your diary, the catchers era is just one more reason for Buck to start playing Laird more, he really has no excuse

by t ball on Aug 20, 2006 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Come on man

you have to equate the trust factor thing.

by Nichols22 on Aug 20, 2006 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Also interesting

Rangers are the 7th best team in the majors, according to RPI

by Longhorn on Aug 20, 2006 7:59 PM CDT reply actions

RPI?

not familiar

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Aug 20, 2006 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Barajas

I think we should all admit that there are one or two little things that Barajas may do better than Laird. I don't think it makes up for the difference in hitting (not even close), but it's not like Barajas is just a complete waste. The guy's a pretty good catcher when it comes to tagging guys out and home and stuff, and he's not completely inept with the bat, either.

The future is an infinite succession of presence.

by Dustin on Aug 20, 2006 8:52 PM CDT reply actions

oh you're right

but I still want Laird out there more often. We have tended to exaggerate the differences, and popup is just such a good nickname

by t ball on Aug 20, 2006 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

me, too

I just thought I'd point out that Barajas is a pretty good player, himself. If he can just hit a little bit he's pretty valuable.

The future is an infinite succession of presence.

by Dustin on Aug 20, 2006 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I think

stats put Laird easily ahead of Pop-up. I think the biggest thing is Laird should be getting more experience and he is a spark plug. He puts pressure on a defense and his defense is better. He is also a lot more patient of a hitter and less likely to hit into a double play or a popup that cannot move runners.

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Aug 20, 2006 9:19 PM CDT up reply actions

it may

be too small of a difference to say one is better than the other in regards to calling a game or dealling with the pitchers. The thing about it is Barajas's "veteran leadership" is the case for Pop-up starting over Laird. If they are even then Laird's offense, arms and legs should make an overwhelming case for Laird.

"Stubbornness is usually considered a negative, but I think that trait has been a positive for me." ~ Cal Ripken Jr

by kwellborn on Aug 20, 2006 9:15 PM CDT reply actions