Randy Dobnak and the Rookie of the Year Race

Very interesting, Cooper. I always like to read good stuff about Dobnak because, well, most of what we have heard the past couple years has been good, very good.

I don't understand how WAR is calculated. But when I compare all the traditional stats between Dobnak and Sheffield there is no comparison. Yes, Sheffield has more strike outs but Dobber destroys him in the ERA, Walk and WHIP categories. Yet, their WAR is within a tenth of a point of each other.

That raises a big question in my mind of the value of WAR, especially when considering the the role of a pitcher is to keep runners off base (WHIP) and from scoring (ERA).

Very interesting, Cooper. I always like to read good stuff about Dobnak because, well, most of what we have heard the past couple years has been good, very good.

 

I don't understand how WAR is calculated. But when I compare all the traditional stats between Dobnak and Sheffield there is no comparison. Yes, Sheffield has more strike outs but Dobber destroys him in the ERA, Walk and WHIP categories. Yet, their WAR is within a tenth of a point of each other.

 

That raises a big question in my mind of the value of WAR, especially when considering the the role of a pitcher is to keep runners off base (WHIP) and from scoring (ERA).

First, my understanding is WAR is terrible for pitchers and a better stat for them is wins probability added is better, not sure though.  Maybe for starters it is better, but this year starters innings wont be much more than some relievers it would seem.  

Regardless when comparing Sheffield to Dobnak on start by start.  Sheffield gave his team 1 chance to win, his last start.  The other two he had a WHIP of 2 giving up 1 hit and walk per inning, and averaging a run per inning giving up 4 runs each start with 3 inning and 4.2 innings.  For me, giving your team a chance is more important than if you get a win or a loss.  Dobnak has done that.  

I also find it hard to give rookie of the year to a reliever unless they were unhittable and pitched nearly every day or at least 50% of teams games.  

I bet it goes to Reoberts barring him falling off completely because his hype will always be in voters minds.  Lewis if he can carry it through he will have a chance.  Overall it normally goes to hitters because they play every day and even if they slump for a week or two that gets forgotton about, normally with their hot streak being impressive.  Pitchers though, even more so this season, have two or three bad starts it will blow up all their numbers.  If Dobnak can keep going like he is, he should get the reward. 

I'm super-glad the kid's doing well, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. I bet the boyfriend that I would have to wear a Brett Favre Packers jersey for an entire day if Dobnak wins the ROY. His stuff isn't dominating enough to keep up these kinds of numbers even in a shortened season. Plus, we're playing a small amount of teams. Hitters are eventually going to figure him out. 

Unfortunately he'll have to pitch incredibly well throughout the rest of the season to get it. Hitters will always have the advantage on pitchers, so Robert would have to cool off big-time for it to not be him.

Very interesting, Cooper. I always like to read good stuff about Dobnak because, well, most of what we have heard the past couple years has been good, very good.

 

I don't understand how WAR is calculated. But when I compare all the traditional stats between Dobnak and Sheffield there is no comparison. Yes, Sheffield has more strike outs but Dobber destroys him in the ERA, Walk and WHIP categories. Yet, their WAR is within a tenth of a point of each other.

 

That raises a big question in my mind of the value of WAR, especially when considering the the role of a pitcher is to keep runners off base (WHIP) and from scoring (ERA).

The article is referring to fWAR (FanGraphs) which uses FIP. FIP only factors in strikes, walks, home runs, and infield fly balls so it tends to dock pitchers like Dobnak who manage contact well. bWAR (Baseball Reference) tells a different story with Dobnak at 0.9 bWAR and Sheffield at -0.1 bWAR.