Pitcher: Wandy Rodriguez (LHP)
Batter: John Baker (LHH)
Fielder: Jordy Mercer (SS)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 2-1
Pitch Type: 77-MPH knuckle curve
Fielder: Jordy Mercer (SS)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 2-1
Pitch Type: 77-MPH knuckle curve
John Baker is a backup catcher. His bat is nothing special. However, the Pirates used the shift against Baker. From 2012 to April 1, 2014, Baker hit 10 of 14 groundballs to the right side of the infield.
Date: April 6
Pitcher: Edinson Volquez (RHP)
Batter: Matt Holliday (RHH)
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 0-1
Pitch Type: 82-MPH knuckle curve
The bases were empty, but second baseman Neil Walker was in the double play position. This is an underrated play. You need to backhand a ball and fling it across your body. Walker made the play easily.
Clint Barmes took 2 steps toward the hole before Matt Holliday hit the ball. Spray Charts tell us that Holliday tends to hit the ball to SS/3B side. So it doesn't mean Barmes got a bad jump.
Date: April 6
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 0-1
Pitch Type: 82-MPH knuckle curve
Clint Barmes took 2 steps toward the hole before Matt Holliday hit the ball. Spray Charts tell us that Holliday tends to hit the ball to SS/3B side. So it doesn't mean Barmes got a bad jump.
Date: April 6
Pitcher: Edinson Volquez (RHP)
Batter: Johnny Peralta (RHH)
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 1-2
Pitch Type: 93-MPH four-seam fastball
Date: April 6
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 1-2
Pitch Type: 93-MPH four-seam fastball
Tony Sanchez wanted the pitch to the low outside corner but Volquez missed location. Fortunately, Johnny Peralta took a just-hit-baseball approach and couldn't brake the shift.
The Pirates used same shift against Peralta last year.
OH MAN, I SHOULD HAVE WORE STIRRUPS!!
Date: April 6
Pitcher: Jason Grilli (RHP)
Batter: Matt Adams (LHH)
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 2-1
Pitch Type: 86-MPH Change up
Matt Adams pulled a change up on the outside. Walker made a play on outfield grass.
Fielder: Neil Walker (2B)
Situation: Bases empty
Count: 2-1
Pitch Type: 86-MPH Change up
"They did seem to always have a guy in the right place"
"The hitters know the alignment when they step into the box, so I don't think the shift is having an effect on them. We just want our hitters to think about playing to their strengths instead of worrying about shifts."
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Format inspired by This Week's Wildest Swings/FanGraphs and This Week in Catcher Framing/Baseball Prospects.
Data courtesy of BrooksBaseball.net
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