Final 2012 Pitcher Efficiency Average Rankings

[Pea Hummer]

Whenever I attempted to evaluate pitchers in the “simple way” in the ‘Alphabet Soup’ land of Sabermetrics, it often lead me to a lot of wasted time and energy. So I decided to make it easy on myself and let the four winds blow EQUALLY on all home and away ‘Starting Pitchers’.


I formulated a ‘Pitcher Efficiency Indicator’ that establishes a ‘Pitcher Efficiency Average’ or (PEA) that ranks those who give up THE LEAST hits and walks while allowing the LEAST earned runs every time they take the mound.


The equation my "Indicator" was founded on, adds the Hits, Earned Runs and Walks allowed (HEW), then divides the total by their ‘Innings Pitched’, then the IMPORTANT part of the equation is that it multiplies that figure by 9 to get them ALL EQUAL, then divides that number by the SELDOM USED ‘Innings Pitched PER START’ or their IPPS.


It also gives us another ‘Key Indicator’ as to what Pitchers are controlling the zone and keeping their pitch counts DOWN that keeps ‘Captain Hook’ in the dugout and gives their ‘Bullpens’ a rest. This allows them more Innings Pitched Per Start that keeps their Pitching Efficiency Average down and atop the PEA daily/weekly rankings while keeping their $$ value up in ‘Fantasy Land’!


I have crunched the numbers against the traditional ‘Alphabet Soup’ favorites ERA, WHIP and WL rankings, along with the somewhat still ‘new kids’ on the block, the ERA+ and the FIP/xFIP rankings and the consensus end result was a ‘Pitching Efficiency Average’ that sits itself head and shoulders above them.


The ‘Pitching Efficiency Indicator’ EXPOSED an ‘ERA+ / Adjusted ERA+’ article on the Morrison Baseball Blog that ranked 50 pitchers peak performance years. As a proof text go to General Baseball Statistics, Analysis, & Sabermetrics The ‘all in one’ pitcher efficiency rater and the fourth reply for details.


Below are my final PEA rankings for the 2012 season. These qualified using the traditional 162 IP requirement. I set a baseline of a 2.40 PEA, I add and subtract daily from my rankings during the season those that keep their PEA under or above 2.40 and it usually flushes out to about 40 by year’s end.


RK----PITCHER------------TEAM---PEA---H------ER---W----HEW-----IP-----GS---IPPS
-1 Justin Verlander--------DET----1.69--192----70---60----322----238.1---33---7.22
-2 Clayton Kershaw -------LAD---1.71--170----64----63---297-----227.2---33---6.88
-3 R.A. Dickey-------------TOR---1.73- -192----71- -54----317-----233.2---33---7.07
-4 Matt Cain----------------SF----1.78—177-----68---51---296-----219.1—-32---6.85
-5 David Price--------------TB----1.83—165—---58- -57---280----203.2----30---6.77
-6 Jered Weaver-----------LAA---1.85—147—---59—45----251----188.2---29---6.49
-7 Cliff Lee-----------------PHL---1.88—-207—--74—28----309----211.0---30---7.03
-8 Felix Hernandez--------SEA---1.898--209----79---56----344---232.0---33---7.03
-9 Cole Hamels------------PHL---1.899--190----73---52----315---215.1---31---6.94
10 CC Sabathia------------NYY---1.91---184—--75—-44---303----200.0---28---7.14
RK----PITCHER-----------TEAM---PEA---- H-----ER---W----HEW-----IP-----GS---IPPS
11 Jake Peavy-------------CWS---1.97---188---79—-48----315----211.0---31---6.81
12 Kyle Lohse-------------STL----1.98----192---67---38—--297---211.0—-33---6.39
13 Chris Sale--------------CWS---2.00---167----65---51----283---192.0—-29---6.62
16 Johnny Cueto---------CIN-----2.05--- 200---65---49—--314---210.0—-32---6.56
17 Hiroki Kuroda---------NYY-----2.08--- 205---81---51----337---219.2—-33---6.64
18 Wade Miley-----------ARZ-----2.09--- 193---72---37----302---194.2—-29---6.70
19 Gio Gonzalez---------WSH----2.10----149---64---76----289---199.1— 32----6.22
20 J. Zimmermann------WSH----2.17--- 186---61---43----290---196.0—-32----6.13
RK-----PITCHER----------TEAM---PEA-----H------ER---W---HEW----IP------GS----IPPS
21 Mark Buehrle----------MIA----2.19----197---84---40---321----202.1—-31----6.52
22 Jason Vargas----------LAA----2.199---201—93----55—349----217.1----33---6.58
23 Mat Latos--------------CIN----2.20----179—81--- 64—324----209.1----33---6.34
24 Jonathon Niese-------NYM----2.203---174—72--- 49—295----190.1----30---6.34
25 Matt Harrison---------TEX----2.21-----210—78----61—349--- 213.1----32---6.67
26 A.J. Burnett------------PIT----2.25----189—79----62—330----202.1----31---6.52
27 Tim Hudson-----------ATL----2.27-----168--72---48-—288----179.0----28---6.39
28 Zack Greinke----------LAA----2.285---200---82---54---336----212.1----34---6.24
29 Ryan Dempster-------TEX----2.289---155---65---52---272----173.0----28---6.18
30 Clayton Richard-------SD-----2.29-----228—97---42---367----218.2—--33-- 6.61
RK-----PITCHER----------TEAM---PEA-----H----ER----W---HEW------IP------GS---IPPS
31 Scott Diamond------ MIN----2.30----184---68---31----283----173.0—27---6.41
32 Bronson Arroyo------ CIN----2.32----209---84---35----328---202.0—-32---6.31
33 Yu Darvish-------------TEX----2.344--156---83---89----328----191.1—-29---6.59
34 Homer Bailey--------- CIN-----2.344--202—85---52----339----204.0—-32---6.38
35 Ryan Vogelsong------ SF------2.371--171--71---62----304----189.2—-31---6.10
36 Ross Detwiler----------WSH---2.372--149--62---52----263----164.1----27---6.08
37 Jarrod Parker----------OAK----2.381--166--70---63----299----181.1----29---6.24
38 Jeff Samardzija--------CHC----2.384--157--74---56----287----174.2----28---6.22


Remember the "key" to the PEA Indicator equation is getting ALL starting pitchers EQUAL then dividing that number by their SELDOM USED Innings Pitched Per Start or IPPS.

Have fun and let the ‘four winds blow’ and may our Hot Stoves burn quickly! Pea Hummer, founder of the ’Berns Pitching Efficiency Indicator’-

[Jackaroo Dave]

PR, multiplying a bunch of numbers by 9 doesn't change their rank order or their proportions to one another. It just makes them bigger. You are using the words "get," "all," and "equal" in ways that are unfamiliar to me as a native speaker of English.

Dividing by average innings pitched per start does convert them into rates, which are then directly comparable. But whether you multiply by 9 or not, the rankings are unchanged.

What you could do is take earned runs, divide them by innings pitched, and add to WHIP. That would give you a little more accurate version of the same thing, and you could multiply by 9 if you wanted. But why you want to weigh runs equal to hits equal to walks is beyond my ken.

I think it's great that you're working up a new stat, but I think this one still could use a little more work.

[Pea Hummer]

Dave, thanks for the tip,

I’ve skipped the multiply by 9 step in the equation and divided by the IPPS and while the PEA numbers changed, the rankings remained intack, here are the 'Top 7' final Pitcher Efficiency Averages for 2012.

1 Justin Verlander DET 1.87 192 70 60 322 238.1 33 7.22
2 Clayton Kershaw LAD 1.90 170 64 63 297 227.2 33 6.88
3 R.A. Dickey NYM 1.92 192 71 54 317 233.2 33 7.07
4 Matt Cain SF 1.97 177 68 51 296 219.1 32 6.85
5 David Price TB 2.04 165 57 58 280 203.2 30 6.77
6 Jered Weaver LAA 2.05 147 59 45 251 188.2 29 6.49
7 Cliff Lee PHL 2.08 207 74 28 309 211.0 30 7.03

You've eliminated a step, making it simpler, I like that Dave and nothing is taken away from the formula that divides by the LITTLE USED Innings Pitched Per Start, the TRUE EQUALIZER.


The IPPS gives us another ‘Key Indicator’ as to what Pitchers are controlling the zone and keeping their pitch counts DOWN that keeps ‘Captain Hook’ in the dugout and gives their ‘Bullpens’ a rest.

This allows them more Innings Pitched Per Start that keeps their Pitching Efficiency Average down and atop the PEA daily/weekly rankings while keeping their $$ value up in ‘Fantasy Land’!


Eliminating that step does not affect the numbers I have crunched against the traditional ‘Alphabet Soup’ favorites ERA, WHIP and WL rankings, along with the somewhat still ‘new kids’ on the block, the ERA+ and the FIP/xFIP rankings and the consensus end result was a ‘Pitching Efficiency Average’ that sits itself head and shoulders above them.

Thanks again Dave and let the "four winds blow" on that Hot Stove Fire, Pea Hummer

[Zito75]

PR, multiplying a bunch of numbers by 9 doesn't change their rank order or their proportions to one another. It just makes them bigger. You are using the words "get," "all," and "equal" in ways that are unfamiliar to me as a native speaker of English.

Dividing by average innings pitched per start does convert them into rates, which are then directly comparable. But whether you multiply by 9 or not, the rankings are unchanged.

What you could do is take earned runs, divide them by innings pitched, and add to WHIP. That would give you a little more accurate version of the same thing, and you could multiply by 9 if you wanted. But why you want to weigh runs equal to hits equal to walks is beyond my ken.

I think it's great that you're working up a new stat, but I think this one still could use a little more work.

No offense, but I agree with Dave here. What software package are you using to massage the "alphabet soup" as you call it?

[BondsOverBabe]

RK----PITCHER------------TEAM---PEA---H------ER---W----HEW-----IP-----GS---IPPS
-1 Justin Verlander--------DET----1.69--192----70---60----322----238.1---33---7.22
-2 Clayton Kershaw -------LAD---1.71--170----64----63---297-----227.2---33---6.88
-3 R.A. Dickey-------------TOR---1.73- -192----71- -54----317-----233.2---33---7.07
-4 Matt Cain----------------SF----1.78—177-----68---51---296-----219.1—-32---6.85
-5 David Price--------------TB----1.83—165—---58- -57---280----203.2----30---6.77
-6 Jered Weaver-----------LAA---1.85—147—---59—45----251----188.2---29---6.49
-7 Cliff Lee-----------------PHL---1.88—-207—--74—28----309----211.0---30---7.03
-8 Felix Hernandez--------SEA---1.898--209----79---56----344---232.0---33---7.03
-9 Cole Hamels------------PHL---1.899--190----73---52----315---215.1---31---6.94
10 CC Sabathia------------NYY---1.91---184—--75—-44---303----200.0---28---7.14
RK----PITCHER-----------TEAM---PEA---- H-----ER---W----HEW-----IP-----GS---IPPS
11 Jake Peavy-------------CWS---1.97---188---79—-48----315----211.0---31---6.81
12 Kyle Lohse-------------STL----1.98----192---67---38—--297---211.0—-33---6.39
13 Chris Sale--------------CWS---2.00---167----65---51----283---192.0—-29---6.62
16 Johnny Cueto---------CIN-----2.05--- 200---65---49—--314---210.0—-32---6.56
17 Hiroki Kuroda---------NYY-----2.08--- 205---81---51----337---219.2—-33---6.64
18 Wade Miley-----------ARZ-----2.09--- 193---72---37----302---194.2—-29---6.70
19 Gio Gonzalez---------WSH----2.10----149---64---76----289---199.1— 32----6.22
20 J. Zimmermann------WSH----2.17--- 186---61---43----290---196.0—-32----6.13
RK-----PITCHER----------TEAM---PEA-----H------ER---W---HEW----IP------GS----IPPS
21 Mark Buehrle----------MIA----2.19----197---84---40---321----202.1—-31----6.52
22 Jason Vargas----------LAA----2.199---201—93----55—349----217.1----33---6.58
23 Mat Latos--------------CIN----2.20----179—81--- 64—324----209.1----33---6.34
24 Jonathon Niese-------NYM----2.203---174—72--- 49—295----190.1----30---6.34
25 Matt Harrison---------TEX----2.21-----210—78----61—349--- 213.1----32---6.67
26 A.J. Burnett------------PIT----2.25----189—79----62—330----202.1----31---6.52
27 Tim Hudson-----------ATL----2.27-----168--72---48-—288----179.0----28---6.39
28 Zack Greinke----------LAA----2.285---200---82---54---336----212.1----34---6.24
29 Ryan Dempster-------TEX----2.289---155---65---52---272----173.0----28---6.18
30 Clayton Richard-------SD-----2.29-----228—97---42---367----218.2—--33-- 6.61
RK-----PITCHER----------TEAM---PEA-----H----ER----W---HEW------IP------GS---IPPS
31 Scott Diamond------ MIN----2.30----184---68---31----283----173.0—27---6.41
32 Bronson Arroyo------ CIN----2.32----209---84---35----328---202.0—-32---6.31
33 Yu Darvish-------------TEX----2.344--156---83---89----328----191.1—-29---6.59
34 Homer Bailey--------- CIN-----2.344--202—85---52----339----204.0—-32---6.38
35 Ryan Vogelsong------ SF------2.371--171--71---62----304----189.2—-31---6.10
36 Ross Detwiler----------WSH---2.372--149--62---52----263----164.1----27---6.08
37 Jarrod Parker----------OAK----2.381--166--70---63----299----181.1----29---6.24
38 Jeff Samardzija--------CHC----2.384--157--74---56----287----174.2----28---6.22

Extremely skeptical of stat that rates Tim Hudson as having been better than Madison Bumgarner

[Bothrops Atrox]

Extremely skeptical of stat that rates Tim Hudson as having been better than Madison Bumgarner

Extremely skeptical of any stat that uses hits allowed with no consideration of park, team defense, or batted ball luck.

[filihok]

Extremely skeptical of a stat that purports to measure pitchers that kept their pitch counts down that has Justin Verlander as #1

Ranking qualified major league starters from 2013 by number of pitches/batter faced
Justin Verlander was 78th.
#1 was Clayton Richard


I'm also skeptical of a stat in which the 'IMPORTANT PART' is removed to no difference.

I'm also skeptical of a stat that incorporates ERA but doesn't adjust for AL/NL differences.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Also skeptical of a stat that tries to gauge pitcher efficiency, but uses ERA instead of RA.