In one of the most interesting interviews I have heard in a long time, Royals pitcher Brian Bannister talked about how he has changed his study habits thanks to the new technology. Bannister has always been one of the most SABR interested players, openly talking about how he studies the newer stats to work on improving his game.
During the interview he talks about how he no longer reads scouting reports on the opposing team or watches scouting videos. He instead relies on the Pitch F/X data to figure out which of his pitches are the most effective to batters. He completely scrapped using his 4 seamer after finding out it was rising and relies much more on his cut fastball due to the sinking motion and his change-up that Pitch F/X showed to have as much sink as Webb's sinker. The results so far have been excellent. His HR rate is way down, his groundball rate is way up.
It is really refreshing as a Royal's fan to know that all hope is not lost. While our GM and scouting department seem almost out to prove a point that the SABR stats don't mean much, there are some in the organization who still have a clue. I'm all for crowning Bannister as the first modern era Player/GM/Manager.
I heard that interview as well and loved it. Bannister knows more about GB%, FB%, FIP, xFIP, BABIP, etc, etc, etc, as 98% of anyone in here....it was awesome to hear a major leaguer talk SABR like he did....very cool!
Last edited by J35J on Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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by Tavish » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:19 pm 
