Jered Weaver

[Docwaukee]

If a player is able to get on base 50% of the time by bunting away from the shift, there is no way the numbers would support shifting.  The spray charts that presumably support the shift are likely constructed with data of where the batter hit the ball when the shift wasn't on.  Defensive alignments seem to presume that the hitter won't adjust.  I guarantee that the metrics will change once data is accumulated with the shift actually being performed.  

[Angels_Make_Me_Drink]

At this rate, when the rotation shift takes place at the ASB they are going to have to consider finally moving Weaver down to say the 3rd spot.

Maybe Richards, Wilson, Weaver, Skaggs, and Santiago by post-ASB?

 

I don't see Scioscia abandoning Weaver at the top of the rotation. Not his style...

[nate]

Did I misread the gun, or did Weaver throw a few 84mph FB's last night?

He has been all season

[AngelsFaninGA]

This might be controversial and Weaver himself obviously won't like it, but how about putting him on an inning limit since he does so well through the first 5-6 innings? It'll tax the bullpen a little more, but I'd rather have Weaver give up 0-1 runs in 5 innings and let the bullpen pitch 4 then have Weaver give up 4+ runs in 6 innings and give the bullpen less work. With Richards and Skaggs doing such a good job of eating innings so far it lessens the overall strain on the bullpen. 

[NrM]

This might be controversial and Weaver himself obviously won't like it, but how about putting him on an inning limit since he does so well through the first 5-6 innings? It'll tax the bullpen a little more, but I'd rather have Weaver give up 0-1 runs in 5 innings and let the bullpen pitch 4 then have Weaver give up 4+ runs in 6 innings and give the bullpen less work. With Richards and Skaggs doing such a good job of eating innings so far it lessens the overall strain on the bullpen. 

 

 

Dude is making like 17 million a year. He needs to pitch deep into games, or at least be given the opportunity too.

[Reveille1984]

If a player is able to get on base 50% of the time by bunting away from the shift, there is no way the numbers would support shifting.  The spray charts that presumably support the shift are likely constructed with data of where the batter hit the ball when the shift wasn't on.  Defensive alignments seem to presume that the hitter won't adjust.  I guarantee that the metrics will change once data is accumulated with the shift actually being performed.  

 

There's only so much adjusting a hitter can do.  Guys don't cognitively decide where to hit the ball, they just react to the pitch based on muscle memory and where the pitch is located.  It has been ingrained into these guys their entire lives.  Contrary to popular belief, bunting is not a super easy thing to do and place perfectly on a regular basis, especially for guys that literally never do it.  Players at the highest level of competition also have massive egos allowing them to tell themselves, "psh, f*** that.  I'll still get a hit even with your shift!"  Shifts are usually employed on power threats anyways.  You think if they keep shifting on Bautista, Pujols and Stanton they are going to start bunting on a regular basis?  Doubtful.

 

Obviously if every batter with previous heavy splits starts perfecting the opposite side slap bunt, things will change to fit the newly established pattern.