Bulls’ (Offensive) Power Outage
The Durham Bulls opened the season 6-0 and now sit atop the standings with a 10-3 record, so it’s not shocking that the Bulls offensive woes have gone unnoticed. However, the truth is that some excellent Bulls pitching has been hiding slumbering bats.
Using the four basic hitting metrics (Avg, OBP, SLG, OPS) the Bulls’ hitting woes can be analyzed more thoroughly.First, a primer for those new to baseball stats: batting average (Avg.) is the most commonly known, simply being hits per at bat; on-base percentage (OBP) takes walks into account, calculating the number of times a player reaches base, via hit or walk, per plate appearance; slugging percentage (SLG) takes into account total bases, so the statistic reflects a batters’ extra base hits such as doubles and home runs; on-base plus slugging (OPS) combines on-base percentage and slugging percentage into an overall number representing both the ability to get on base and hit for power.
Back to the Bulls’ offensive issues. Early in the season the Bulls are worse off in all four categories than they were in 2008. Across the board the Bulls aren’t as offensively potent. They are both getting on base less and hitting for less power. Even when taking into account roster turnover, the “returnees” (players on both the 2008 and 2009 Durham Bulls) aren’t hitting as well.
Not to point fingers, but two Bulls have started the season in a hitting slump. Justin Ruggiano and Chris Richard are averaging .161 and .133 worse than last season, respectively. They’re also finding themselves unable to hit for power, with their slugging percentage dropping .281 and .306 respectively. On the other end of the spectrum, Reid Brignac and John Jaso have begun the season hitting above their 2008 averages on all four metrics. However, their positive improvement hasn’t outweighed the slumps of Ruggiano and Richard.
Overall, some fine pitching has the Bulls leading their division. Presently, the Bulls staff as a whole has a 1.93 ERA, a number any pitching ace would be happy posting. The Bulls also have a 1.15 WHIP (walks & hits per inning pitched), meaning they’re allowing just over one baserunner per inning. Both of these numbers have the Bulls off to an excellent start despite some relatively poor offensive output.
Tonight, the Bulls open a four-game stand in Norfolk, Va. against the Tides. First pitch is at 7:15.
Player statistics are here.
3 Comments
I’d add Elliot Johnson to the list of those in serious slumps (although he wasn’t all that great last year either). Richard, as noted elsewhere (http://watchingdurhambullsbaseball.blogspot.com/2009/04/chris-richard-is-back.html), may be breaking out. Agree that pitching is keeping us in the game. On the other hand, 10-3 ain’t bad.
— Chris 23 April 2009
By yet another metric that gets at the whole team, the Bulls total runs scored is 47 and their opponents is 28, for a difference of 19. Considering that last year at this time the difference was -24, things are looking pretty good. Nevertheless, if our pitching gets even a little bit off, we could be in trouble if the bats don’t come alive.
— Chris 23 April 2009
These numbers were taken from the team site as of Tuesday, so the last two games (6 and 7 runs at Gwinnett) weren’t included. The Bulls’ strength does seem to be pitching, with several strong young pitchers anchoring the rotation. As Adam Sobsey has pointed out Montoyo is doing an equally excellent job juggling a bullpen that gets little rest, often pitching 4 innings per night.
— Ryan Campbell 23 April 2009