Midseason Statistics & Thoughts

[stringer bell]

MI won't even get into BABIP, LD% or stuff like that. I just looked at some statistics of the Twins at the midpoint of the season. There are some interesting numbers embedded in the disappointment of another losing season.

 

1. We shouldn't be griping about Mauer hitting into double plays. Joe has grounded into only three double plays all season. However, the reasons however are mixed: a) Mauer has mostly hit second in the lineup and leadoff hitters just haven't been getting on base. Joe has hit more balls in the air this year than any year previous and c) Mauer is on pace to strike out at nearly twice as many times as he ever has in one season. He's already fanned 66 times this year and his record in a single season is 88.

 

2. Noted slugger Brian Dozier has more walks in fewer plate appearances than Justin Morneau. Morneau has fewer free passes than Ryan Doumit and Chris Parmelee as well. What does this indicate? It appears that the league no longer fears Morneau. I recall vividly Tiger manager Jim Leyland refusing to pitch to Morneau in game situations, now the league is unafraid no matter the score. Morneau has sliced his strikeouts and hit well with runners on base, but big blows have been few and far between.

 

3. With home run leader Josh Willingham on the DL, probably until mid-August, the Twins don't have a single active player with double-digit home runs. However, they have four players (Doumit, Mauer, Plouffe, and Parmelee) with 8 homers. Three more guys have six or more. I do like seeing a lineup where every player is at least a modest threat of hitting the ball over the fence. My own personal pet peeve is seeing a succession of Twins with virtually no power. Seeing outfielders play in several steps for Carroll, Revere, and a bunch of middle infielders so much so that runners couldn't score from second on a single has bugged me no end.