The Angels Missing Situational Hitting Strategy

[Swordsman78]

5 hours ago, Angel Oracle said:

Strategy = see pitch and swing out of your heels at the pitch, unless it’s right down the middle.

That is funny (and true).  Angel hitters up there looking for an 0-2 fastball down the middle, or a 2-0 curve ball in the dirt.

[WicketMaiden]

On 8/28/2023 at 6:12 AM, VladimirTrout27 said:

I did a data project for fun from the beginning of the season through August 17th. Finding a baseline and helpful data took quite a bit of time. I didn't want to vomit too much data, but figured to share some data snapshots, such as specific counts being met and what follows. I hope this helps a little.

“We want our guys to be aggressive — aggressive in the zone,” said Angels hitting coach Marcus Thames. “Pitchers are trying to get ahead. So I want our guys’ mindset to be ready to go attack. If the ball’s in your zone, be ready to go.” - The Athletic

Looking at RISP, advanced data shows when the Angels have counts 0-1 & 0-2, and they're top in strikeouts and lowest in average. They're in the middle of the pack when they make contact in 0-2 counts. They’re close to average in 1-1 and 2-1 counts. Swinging early has put them in holes, causing them to slip further.

The Angels lead the league in 1^st pitch swing percentage, tied for the highest whiff percentage and worst zone contact in MLB. [Provided by Baseball Savant]

For example, in 0-2 counts, the Angels’ batting avg is 30^th (.136) and MLB avg is .177, OPS: 25^th (MLB avg is .478) Angels are .414. Batted balls in play, the Angels are 29^th, and most of the top offensive teams are in the top half. They’re 4^th in strikeout rate. When they make contact in 0-2 counts, they’re about average. Surprisingly, they're  2nd in walk % from 0-2 counts. [Found in Fangraphs].

I interpreted it as Angel hitters getting behind early, not making contact in the zone, and with each strike, they are one of the worst teams in the league, making contact as the count has additional strikes and whiffing often. They have too many guys who can’t make contact, miss too much in the zone, and can't adequately work counts. While they can get walks, they fail to put the ball in play and make decent contact. Aggression has made counts tougher to handle, as they’re too challenged as hitters. This could add to why they slump when they get so cold due to a lack of making contact. Maybe scouting is off, but it starts with preparation and putting hitters in better opportunities to succeed.

This is brilliant content. Thanks for putting in the work and sharing it with us.

Keep them coming @VladimirTrout27, and welcome to AW.

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

On 8/28/2023 at 8:06 AM, TroutField said:

It’s sad that some random poster can do the research in the flaws of the Angels and their approach, yet who knows if the angels are aware, and if they are aware, clearly aren’t able to fix or coach it down to the players. 
 

Meanwhile the Dodgers can turn every struggling player they acquire around into a productive player because whatever data they are receiving , they have the coaches that know how to put it to use. 

We've been talking about this and the pitching philosophy all season long... Some reply the hitters just suck. But, it's also the coaches and their hitting organizational philosophy as well.

Analytics can tell you what works or what doesn't in a specific outcome standpoint. Then you Focus your plan and voices towards the outcome that you desire that uses everything at your disposal.

Reminds me of a kid I coached in high school great swing best BP hitter ever 6-4 could fly great arm in the outfield. You watched BP you would say 5 Tool guy! Come game time he consistently swung through the strike zone chin dipped to chest couldnt see anything and he was a mess. I fixed him, in the cage nothing but tee-work, then soft toss and then live BP me gassing him throwing everything at him from 45 feet. Everything clicked!!! Another coach saw what he was doing and tried to place him back in his box and it went to shyt again!... And then I had to start all over and build up his confidence from point 1..

Got in his head and a kid who should have had a shot to play college ball. Got dycked out. 

[T-angel]

My hope is that the Angels adopt an approach to hitting that falls somewhere between Rod Carew's emphasis on line drives and Mickey Hatcher's approach of putting the ball in play. All the players swing out of their shoes on every swing decision including Andrew Velazquez (who should be trying to hit more like Chone Figgins but goes up there with an approach of a power hitter).  

[SlappyUtilityMIF]

5 hours ago, T-angel said:

My hope is that the Angels adopt an approach to hitting that falls somewhere between Rod Carew's emphasis on line drives and Mickey Hatcher's approach of putting the ball in play. All the players swing out of their shoes on every swing decision including Andrew Velazquez (who should be trying to hit more like Chone Figgins but goes up there with an approach of a power hitter).  

That's a Organizational Box approach Philosophy... Everyone do the same whether you're 5 foot tall or 6-3.

[ten ocho recon scout]

I vividly remember reading an article once about how the 02 team made it a point to foul off a lot of pitches in spring training. And how they went in to that year basically pesky as hell, driving up pitch counts, until they got something they could hit on a line.

And they had a phenom offense that year because of it. 

But then one time I was having drinks with one of the 02 guys, mentioned that and how cool I thought it was, and he was like "what the hell are you talking about? We didn't do that."

So I dunno.

[Tank]

11 minutes ago, ten ocho recon scout said:

I vividly remember reading an article once about how the 02 team made it a point to foul off a lot of pitches in spring training. And how they went in to that year basically pesky as hell, driving up pitch counts, until they got something they could hit on a line.

And they had a phenom offense that year because of it. 

But then one time I was having drinks with one of the 02 guys, mentioned that and how cool I thought it was, and he was like "what the hell are you talking about? We didn't do that."

So I dunno.

you should have blamed it on the miller lite.

you know, it's less filling.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

22 hours ago, Tank said:

you should have blamed it on the miller lite.

you know, it's less filling.

Tastes great.

[Chico]

Angels are third in MLB in HRs yet only have a measley 614 RBI. #1 and #2 HR teams have 751 and 731 RBI respectively. They're also 5th in Strikeouts (hitting) at 1248. The Angels swing for the fences in other words, and strike out a lot. They don't drive in runs as they should when they hit HRs. Seems pitchers let up on hitters with nobody on base. I'd like to know how many HRs the Angels have hit this year with nobody on base. I would guess the majority.

https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/home-runs

The pitching has been terrible too, needless to say. The Mariners have the #1 team ERA in all of baseball at 3.64. Then Angels are #23 (out of 30) at 4.68. They've given up the 8th top most runs in MLB at 684. (Seattle and Tampa have given up 532 and are tied for the least runs allowed)

https://www.mlb.com/stats/team/pitching?sortState=asc

So you hit a lot of HRs (with no men on base), you don't drive in a lot of runs and your pitching gives up almost the most runs in MLB. A formula for success? Hardly. I've said it before. The 2002 Angels strung a lot of singles, doubles and stolen bases together to construct big innings. They also had a formidable pitching staff. This blueprint should be Angel baseball. Instead, we have "Arte knows better."