WHIP: Why This Statistic Is ✅KEY For Pitchers (and how to improve it)

Coach Dan Blewett
4 May 202108:39
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative video, Coach Dan Blewett discusses the significance of WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) in baseball, emphasizing its predictive value for a pitcher's success. He explains that a lower WHIP correlates with better performance and offers strategies to reduce it, such as pitching to the middle and halves of the plate to minimize walks, and developing a reliable 'outpitch' for strikeouts. Coach Blewett's insights aim to help pitchers improve their game and contribute to their team's victories.

Takeaways
  • 📊 WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) is a crucial pitching statistic that measures a pitcher's effectiveness and is a strong predictor of success.
  • 🏆 Top MLB pitchers usually have WHIPs around 1.00 or slightly below, with 1.2 and below considered good, and 1.00 or below exceptional.
  • 🚫 A high WHIP can indicate reliance on luck, as it measures the number of base runners allowed, which affects the likelihood of runs being scored.
  • ⚾️ Controlling weak contact is key to reducing runs, but managing base runners is more within a pitcher's control than the outcome of batted balls.
  • 🎯 Pitching strategy should focus on reducing walks by targeting the white of the plate more often early in the count to allow for margin of error.
  • 🔄 Understanding plate coverage, using the middle half, third, and corners effectively, can help pitchers achieve more strikes and fewer walks.
  • 🌀 Developing a reliable 'outpitch' or secondary pitch is essential for getting swings and misses, which helps in reducing base runners and improving WHIP.
  • 🏌️‍♂️ Coaches should encourage young pitchers to focus on mastering one or two pitches rather than trying to perfect multiple pitches simultaneously.
  • 📈 WHIP can serve as an indicator of a pitcher's true performance, distinguishing between good luck and skill in their statistics.
  • 💡 Improving WHIP through better pitch strategy and an effective outpitch can lead to fewer runs allowed and increased chances of winning games.
  • 🗣️ Coaches and players should consider WHIP as a valuable metric for evaluating and improving pitching performance.
Q & A

  • What does WHIP stand for in baseball statistics?

    -WHIP stands for Walks plus Hits, divided by Innings Pitched. It is a measure used to evaluate a pitcher's effectiveness by quantifying the number of base runners allowed per inning.

  • How is WHIP calculated?

    -WHIP is calculated by taking the total number of walks and hits a pitcher allows and dividing it by the number of innings pitched. For example, if a pitcher walked four and gave up two hits in six innings, their WHIP would be 1.00 (6 base runners / 6 innings).

  • What is considered a good WHIP in baseball?

    -A good WHIP is typically anything around 1.2 or below. If a pitcher's WHIP is 1.25 or 1.3, they are doing okay, but a WHIP of 1.2 or below is considered very good, and a WHIP of 1.00 or below is exceptional.

  • Why is WHIP an important statistic in baseball?

    -WHIP is an important statistic because it is a strong predictor of success. Pitchers with lower WHIPs tend to be more successful, as it indicates they allow fewer base runners, which can lead to fewer runs scored against them.

  • How does WHIP relate to the number of runs a pitcher allows?

    -WHIP is a good predictor of how many runs a pitcher is likely to allow because having fewer base runners on base makes it easier to prevent those runners from scoring. A lower WHIP indicates better control over the number of base runners, which can translate to fewer runs given up.

  • What is the significance of the order of operations in hits in an inning?

    -The order of operations in hits can significantly affect the number of runs scored in an inning. For example, a single followed by a home run results in three runs, while a home run followed by two singles results in only one run, despite the same number of hits and outcomes.

  • How can a pitcher reduce their WHIP?

    -A pitcher can reduce their WHIP by focusing on reducing walks, particularly by pitching in the strike zone more often early in the count. They should also work on developing a reliable 'outpitch' or secondary pitch that can consistently get swings and misses.

  • What is meant by 'pitching in the white of the plate more often early in the count'?

    -Pitching in the white of the plate early in the count means aiming for the center of the strike zone when the count is even (e.g., 1-0, 2-0). This strategy allows for a larger margin of error for the pitcher, increasing the chances of getting a strike while still being effective in limiting walks.

  • Why is it beneficial for a pitcher to have an 'outpitch'?

    -An 'outpitch' is a secondary pitch that a pitcher can rely on to get swings and misses. Having such a pitch is beneficial because it allows the pitcher to get out of jams or difficult situations by inducing strikeouts, thus reducing the number of base runners and potential runs scored.

  • What is the advice for young pitchers regarding the number of pitches they should focus on?

    -Young pitchers should focus on perfecting a limited number of pitches rather than trying to master too many. For example, focusing on a fastball and one effective secondary pitch like a changeup is more beneficial than attempting to perfect a wide variety of pitches with limited success.

  • How can a coach help their team improve their WHIP?

    -A coach can help their team improve their WHIP by emphasizing the importance of pitching strategy, such as targeting the middle and halves of the plate early in counts to reduce walks, and by assisting players in developing a reliable 'outpitch' for getting strikeouts.

  • What can a high WHIP indicate about a pitcher's performance?

    -A high WHIP can indicate that a pitcher is allowing too many base runners, which could be due to a lack of control or poor pitch selection. It might also suggest that the pitcher has been somewhat lucky in terms of runs allowed, as the number of runs scored can be influenced by factors beyond the pitcher's control, such as the defense or the opposing team's hitting luck.

Outlines
00:00
📈 Introduction to WHIP and its Importance in Baseball

Coach Dan Blewett begins the video by introducing the concept of WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched), emphasizing its significance in evaluating a pitcher's performance. He explains the calculation of WHIP and provides examples to illustrate the statistic. Coach Blewett also discusses the correlation between a low WHIP and success in major league baseball, highlighting that top pitchers typically have WHIPs around one or below. He further explains that a good WHIP is 1.2 and below, with 1.0 being exceptional. The coach stresses that WHIP is a predictor of runs allowed, as pitchers can control weak contact but not the order of operations or luck involved in baseball. He concludes the paragraph by hinting at strategies to reduce WHIP, such as reducing walks and improving command.

05:02
🎯 Strategies for Reducing WHIP and Developing an Effective Pitching Arsenal

In the second paragraph, Coach Blewett delves into strategies for reducing a pitcher's WHIP. He advises focusing on pitching in the white of the plate more often early in the count to reduce walks, which is the primary way to lower WHIP. He explains the concept of pitching to the middle and halves of the plate, which allows for margin of error and encourages youth pitchers to follow this strategy. The coach also emphasizes the importance of developing a reliable strikeout pitch, or 'outpitch,' to get swings and misses. He suggests focusing on one secondary pitch for effectiveness and cautions against trying to master too many pitches at once. Coach Blewett concludes by reiterating the impact of a good command and strategic pitching on reducing WHIP and improving overall pitching performance.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡WHIP
WHIP is a baseball statistic that stands for Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched. It measures the number of baserunners a pitcher allows per inning. In the video, coach Dan Blewett emphasizes the importance of a low WHIP, indicating better control and fewer runs allowed, with a good WHIP being 1.2 and below, and exceptional around 1.00 or less.
💡Walks
Walks refer to the number of times a pitcher allows a batter to reach base without hitting the ball due to an infraction such as throwing four balls outside the strike zone. Reducing walks is crucial for lowering a pitcher's WHIP, as each walk contributes to the total number of baserunners.
💡Hits
Hits are times when a batter successfully makes contact with the ball and reaches a base safely. In the context of WHIP, hits are one of the two components that contribute to the statistic, along with walks. Minimizing hits is essential for a pitcher to maintain a low WHIP and prevent runs.
💡Innings Pitched
Innings Pitched refers to the number of complete innings a pitcher has played in a game. This metric is part of the WHIP calculation, where the total number of walks and hits a pitcher allows is divided by the number of innings pitched to determine their WHIP.
💡Baserunners
Baserunners are players who are running the bases after reaching base safely, either by a hit, walk, error, or other means. The video emphasizes that controlling the number of baserunners is key to reducing a pitcher's WHIP and preventing runs, as more baserunners increase the likelihood of scoring.
💡Strikeouts
Strikeouts occur when a batter accumulates three strikes during an at-bat and are considered outs. While not directly part of the WHIP calculation, strikeouts are important because they reduce the number of baserunners and potential runs, contributing to a pitcher's overall effectiveness.
💡Outpitch
An outpitch is a specific pitch in a pitcher's repertoire that they can reliably use to get swings and misses, effectively ending an at-bat. Developing a good outpitch is crucial for a pitcher to reduce walks and keep baserunners to a minimum, thus improving their WHIP.
💡Plate Strategy
Plate strategy refers to the approach a pitcher takes when deciding where to aim the ball during an at-bat. A smart plate strategy can help a pitcher get ahead in the count, reduce walks, and increase the chances of strikeouts, all of which contribute to a lower WHIP.
💡Luck
In the context of the video, luck refers to the unpredictable elements of baseball, such as where the ball goes when it's put in play or the order in which hits occur. While pitchers can control aspects like walks and strikeouts, they have less control over the luck factor, which can influence the number of runs they allow.
💡ERA
ERA, or Earned Run Average, is a statistic that measures the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched. While ERA is a common measure of pitching performance, the video suggests that WHIP can be a better indicator of a pitcher's true effectiveness because it accounts for both walks and hits, not just earned runs.
💡Youth Coaching
Youth coaching in the context of the video refers to the guidance and instruction given to young baseball players, focusing on developing their skills and understanding of the game. Coach Blewett shares his insights on WHIP and pitching strategies specifically aimed at youth pitchers and their coaches.
Highlights

WHIP is a crucial pitching statistic that measures walks plus hits divided by innings pitched.

A low WHIP, around 1.00 or below, is considered exceptional, while 1.2 and below is considered good.

WHIP is a strong predictor of success, as top pitchers in Major League Baseball typically have WHIPs around one or slightly below.

Controlling weak contact and swings and misses can reduce the number of runs a pitcher allows.

Multiple baserunners make it difficult to prevent runs, as there is an element of luck involved in baseball.

Pitchers have limited control over the order of operations, which can affect the number of runs given up despite similar outcomes.

Major League data shows that pitchers cannot significantly alter their performance when runners are on base.

Reducing baserunners on base is key to giving up fewer runs, as it minimizes the role of luck.

To reduce WHIP, focus on reducing walks by pitching in the strike zone more often early in the count.

Pitchers should aim for the middle and halves of the plate to allow for margin of error and still secure strikes.

Coaches should call more pitches to the middle and halves early in counts to help young pitchers reduce walks.

Developing a reliable strikeout pitch or 'outpitch' is essential for a pitcher's success.

An 'outpitch' is a secondary pitch that a pitcher can rely on to get swings and misses.

Avoid developing too many pitches, focus on mastering one or two for better command and effectiveness.

Good command and smart strategy, such as pitching to the plate earlier in the count, can reduce walks and improve WHIP.

Having a good outpitch allows a pitcher to keep runners off the base paths and not rely on luck.

WHIP can indicate if a pitcher is benefiting from luck or if they are genuinely performing well.

WHIP is a valuable indicator for coaches and pitchers to assess performance and make strategic adjustments.

Transcripts

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