Stats With Steven: bbFIP For Opening Week

Apr 6, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ernesto Frieri (49) and Los Angeles Angels catcher Chris Iannetta (17) congratulate each other after beating the Texas Rangers at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The Angels won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

A few weeks ago I introduced bbFIP, or batted-ball fielding-independent pitching, here on Halo Hangout. Where-in I promised weekly bbFIP updates, and today will be the first installment of these updates. Just a few things before getting into the data. If you are interested in reading about what bbFIP is, I have a primer and an introductory post you can sink your teeth into. All data is complete through games played on Saturday, April 6th and is provided by FanGraphs. Lastly, this is a very small sample size, and not something to make serious judgments from. There will be some funky looking numbers and even some “negative” values.

Flying High
In a week of somewhat mediocre pitching from the Angels, Ernesto Frieri continued where he left off last season. Frieri pitched two innings facing eight batters, walking one and striking out four. When the ball was put in play he induced two groundballs and one flyball. This was good for a -0.53 bbFIP one of the highest marks in baseball in this earliest of samples.

The second pitcher of note this week is Kevin Jepsen. The hard throwing right hander came in and pitched in some tough, high leverage situations and as usual was terrific by bbFIP standards. Jepsen posted a 0.17 bbFIP, highlighted by his 5-0 strikeout to walk ratio and a trio of flyballs that were accompanied by a walk and line drive when hitters actually made contact. However, given his performance last night, that number will be inflated now. Thanks Mike Scioscia.

Wingless Angels
Offseason acquisition Jason Vargas may have only given up one run in his start against the Rangers last week, but bbFIP isn’t so kind to the soft-tossing southpaw.  Jason Vargas gave up nine line drives, second only to Minnesota’s Liam Hendriks in terms of single start numbers. Vargas did post a 2-1 K/BB though while inducing six groundouts. Vargas’ bbFIP was 6.71 over 5 2/3 Innings.

Overall as a team, the Angels posted a 3.67 bbFIP, due to a 21.5 K% and a 7.2 BB%. As for balls in play they came through with a 38.6% groundball-rate, 37.1% Flyball rate, 21.2% line-drive rate, and a 3% popup rate.

Here is the full team numbers including component statistics for the week of April 1st to 6th.

IP

BB

SO

GB

FB

LD

PU

bbFIP

Ernesto FrieriAngels

2.0

1

4

2

1

0

0

-0.53

Kevin JepsenAngels

3.0

0

5

1

3

1

0

0.17

Sean BurnettAngels

2.2

2

4

3

1

1

0

2.42

Garrett RichardsAngels

3.2

1

4

6

1

4

0

3.09

Tommy HansonAngels

6.0

0

4

5

10

3

2

3.22

Jered WeaverAngels

6.0

2

4

6

5

2

2

3.36

Mark LoweAngels

4.0

1

4

2

3

3

0

3.40

Joe BlantonAngels

5.0

1

4

6

11

1

0

3.67

C.J. WilsonAngels

6.0

4

4

9

8

2

0

3.86

Scott DownsAngels

2.1

0

1

5

1

2

0

4.88

Jason VargasAngels

5.2

2

4

6

5

9

0

6.71