|
There is no statistical advantage in the game to being a groundball pitcher vs. a flyball pitcher- in terms of game mechanics, an out is an out.
The most important rating for a SP is MOV- there have been several well done discussions and statistical analysis done on this in PT 19 and 20. Since there is an expected number of home runs in each league to approximate a normalized season, you want to "push" those home runs given up away from your pitchers and onto someone else's. This is especially true for a Defense oriented team, since there is no defense for an opposing home run.
CTL has the second highest correlation to starting pitching success. Pitchers who give up less walks tend to give up fewer runs. Again, just like home runs, no great defense can compensate for a pitcher who gives up a lot of walks.
If any metric can be sacrificed for a defense oriented team, it is STF. There are more examples of high performing relivers than starters with a high STF, low MOV or CON combination.
Adjusting park factors to minimize runs, especially home runs, is one of the most important elements to running a successful defense oriented team, and is actually more important than groundball/flyball pitchers.
|