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Taking a deeper look into the batted ball data . . .
In general, unless they go over the wall or hit it, fly balls are a poor outcome unless you’re a true power hitter. Ground balls are also a poor outcome, although those do go for singles and doubles at a higher rate than fly balls. Line drives are really the optimal result for almost any hitter because they have the best chance of raising batting average. How do the Cardinals stand in these categories? Let’s look to see if we have leaders in the top 50 (qualified hitters):
Fly Balls: Winn (46), Arenado (49)
Pretty good there. I’d like to see fewer fly balls from each, but overall the Cardinals aren’t hitting a lot of fly balls which is generally good.
Ground Balls: Contreras (25)
Only Willson makes this cut. I hate to see Contreras that high up there. But it’s good that nobody else makes the list. Remember I’m only looking at qualifying players so Walker isn’t in the equation.
Line Drives: Winn (7), Scott (11), Donovan (15)
Now we’re talking. That’s 3 everyday players getting great contacts results. Incidentally, Arenado is 77, Nootbaar is 83, and Contreras is 90 out of 164 qualifiers. Just 6 Cardinals hit the qualified level based off plate appearances. Elly de la Cruz is actually #164 with a line drive rate of just over 10%.
IF yesterday had been game 7 for all the marbles, that’s the battery and starting lineup members I would have wanted to start the game vs a righty.
Overall our hitting is fine. Batting average is not what it used to be. There are very few .300 hitters left. Today’s .275 is what .300 used to be. We could use some more power though.
Just because nobody else around the big leagues is hitting doesn’t change the fact that St. Louis doesn’t have much hitting.
Pitiful is pitiful.
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