Can Patience at the Plate Hurt

[GMinTraining]

When managers ask hitters to work pitch counts, do they also take the bats out of those same players hands?   Players are asked to take pitches for several reasons.  Sometimes it is to work a high pitch count on the starter and get to the bullpen.  Sometimes their own pitcher may have had a rough inning and they want for that same pitcher to have a chance to relax between innings (taking some pitches can lengthen those such innings).

 

1) Should and can this philosophy be used with all teams?  

2) If you have a team with a high strikeout rate, do you want them working with 2 strikes too often?

3) If you have a team with a mediocre OBP and/or BB rate do you want them working with 2 strikes as often?

4) Do you utilize this philosophy with those players who can maximize those situations best and not others?

 

I look at a player like Polanco who rarely takes a BB, but can hit with his eyes closed (great contact hitter).  I then look at a player like Walker who does take several pitches per AB, but also strikes out so often (not a great contact hitter).  Finally I look at a player like Sano who does take his share of BB, but also strikes out too often as well (not considered a contact hitter).  Should there be an organizational / managerial philosophy in terms of players taking pitches in various situations? or Should there be an allowance for those such players (non contact guys) to maximize their potential per AB?  

 

For me the game has changed.  Players don't get asked to hit and run anymore because they lack those skill sets.  Players are defended differently (Shifts) because they lack particular skill sets.  Asking these same players to take pitches and work pitch counts falls into the same category.  They lack the skill set do do so.  Thus the high strike out rate in professional baseball.  I say, if we are going to accept the changes in the game, in so many other areas, why not let your players play?  Maximize each AB for the skill set in which they bring to the table.  I'm not talking about swinging out of the zone.  I'm talking about swinging at strikes, and swinging early in counts. Maximizing particular skill sets or lack there of!

 

Thoughts..................

[ExpectMorePayLess]

I agree.   LET THE THUMPERS THUMP

[Willihammer]

Personally I haven't recognized any clear patterns, outside of 3-0 counts, where players repeat predictable swing/take behaviors, have you? (insert Mauer on first pitch joke here)

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think it can. I think patience more than anything else means laying off pitches that you cannot hit (typically out of the zone). You start taking too many strikes though, and put yourself in 2 strike situations where you have to swing at a borderline pitch.. yeah, that's not good.

[nicksaviking]

So in other words, camping out on either side of the extreme is a bad thing and this team just has a hard time finding guys who can sit right in the middle.

[kab21]

 

I think it can. I think patience more than anything else means laying off pitches that you cannot hit (typically out of the zone). You start taking too many strikes though, and put yourself in 2 strike situations where you have to swing at a borderline pitch.. yeah, that's not good.

I'm more in this camp when players are being told to be patient at the plate.  It's a benefit to do so for the reasons listed above (run up the pitch count, allow other hitters to see and time pitches, give the team a break, etc...) but the main motivation should be stay away from pitches where you can't make good contact.  In addition to that players should take advantage of hitter counts and look only for certain pitches that are most likely being thrown (like a fastball).  It's a lot easier to hit a 93 mph fastball if you aren't guarding against the chance of a curve/change or every location.  If it's not your pitch then let it go.