The WAR Room is back again, bringing you the 2015 advanced stats for every Cleveland minor leaguer. Though it is still early in the season, there are some interesting trends to watch and monitor as the season goes on. Join Jim Piascik as he breaks down Cody Anderson’s 2015 resurgence, James Ramsey finding his stride in Columbus, and much more as he takes you into The WAR Room.
As always, just like with scouting, it is always important to keep context in mind with these stats. A pitcher who is old for his level using that experience to succeed against young, inexperienced hitters must be taken with a grain of salt; the same goes when looking at these WAR totals.
But it is a useful tool to put each player’s performance into context and look at where they sit in regard to the rest of the league.
For reference on how I computed WAR, a reminder on the problems inherent in the stats, and everything else you need to know, click here. For a refresher on WAR and what it is, click here.
As a reminder, a 0.0 WAR per 162 games is replacement level — otherwise known as the kind of performance an average player from the level below could offer — a 2.0 WAR per 162 games is average, and a 5.0 WAR per 162 games is All-Star level.
Also, the lack of good defensive metrics for the minor leagues means we have to adjust for a range of defensive abilities. To account for this, I will give you each player’s WAR with a qualifier: either poor-defense WAR for a poor defender (-10 runs below-average per 162 games), average-defense WAR for an average defender (0 runs per 162 games), or great-defense WAR for a great defender (10 runs above-average per 162 games).
Additionally, note that pitchers have FIP-based WAR — which is based on peripherals like strikeouts, walks, home runs, etc. — and RA-based WAR — which is based on runs allowed.
One more thing, all “+” stats are averaged at 100. Anything over 100, like 110, is higher and means that player is 10 percent better than the league average. Anything under 100, like 90, is lower and means that player is 10 percent worse than the league average. In the case of any “-” stats — when lower is better, like with ERA — a 90 ERA- means that player is 10 percent better than the league average.
For the full stats, go ahead and click here. Stats are updated through Saturday, May 30.
It has reached the point where right-handed starter Cody Anderson’s struggles in 2014 seem to be the exception, not the rule, as he has come out firing on all cylinders this season. Though Anderson’s 1.56 ERA (41 ERA-) and 2.4 RA-based WAR in 52.0 innings are both not likely to be sustainable, the right-hander’s 3.05 FIP (80 FIP-) and 1.2 FIP-based WAR are both All-Star caliber performances. Continuing to gain consistency will be a key for Anderson over the rest of 2015, but provided he can keeping getting the ball over the plate (4.5% walk rate, 54 BB%+) and can maybe find a few more strikeouts (17.8% strikeout rate, 98 K%+), the right-hander looks ready to regain his top prospect standing and impact the major league team before too long. Read More…
From Indians Baseball Insider, June 1, 2015
Jim Piascik 