from Amazon
Friday, January 12, 2007
Switch Hitters
I recently learned that Google lets you easily publish spreadsheets online. It’s very cool and nice. Check out this handedness data, historically. This is how to read the first line:
In 2006, 15% of AB+BB were from switch hitters. 29% were from lefty hitters and 56% from righty hitters.
27% of innings were from lefty pitchers and 73% from righty pitchers.
The next two columns were estimated. It says that 60% of AB+BB for a batter were with him as a righty. It’s an attempt to distribute the switch hitting PA based on how often he sees a lefty or righty pitcher.
The real interesting part is the switch hitters. Up until 1962, less than 5% of PA were from switch hitters. After that, it was a steady rise, until it reached 20% in 1992. It’s dropped down since, and has levelled off at 15% or so.
Lefty Pitchers have gained ground, as teams realize that they’d like to have the platoon advantage, with a steady rise from 20% to a high of 36% in 1949, which quickly plummetted down to 23% in 1957, and it again slowly marched back up to 34% in 1990, as it has slowly gone back down to 27% today.
So, it’s very interesting to me how the talent is brought into the league, and how it’s trying to be countered.