TruMedia has added several new passed ball & wild pitch metrics to the MLB product as part of the Advanced Analytics package. These metrics are based on a TruMedia model that tags each pitch with a probability of being a passed ball or wild pitch (PBWP) based on pitch results from 2016 to 2022, using the following factors:
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Pitch location
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Pitch velocity
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Pitch type
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Count
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Batter hand
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Pitcher hand
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Men on or bases empty
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Swing or take by the batter
New Stats
For catchers, these PBWP model-derived metrics are now on the native Catcher Defense report and available to be added to any custom report:
|
Label |
Name |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
PBWPAA |
Passed Balls + Wild Pitches Prevented Above Average |
How many PBWP a catcher prevented, compared to what our model expected the average catcher to allow; positive numbers indicate good defense |
|
PBWP+ |
Passed Balls + Wild Pitches Plus |
Converts the PBWPAA number to a rate stat, to account for the number of pitches; a player with a PBWP+ of 186% saved 86% more PBWP over expectation |
|
PBWPRAA |
Runs Above Average |
Converts the PBWPAA number into runs, factoring in the situations of the PBWP saved or allowed |
|
CatBlock |
Catcher Blocks |
Blocked pitches that crossed the plate at 6 inches or lower with a 5%+ chance of PBWP; particularly useful for finding video |
New Filters
Two related filters are also available, to find pitches with a certain chance of being a PBWP, for either catchers or pitchers.
|
Filter Name |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Prob of PB/WP |
Input the desired PBWP likelihood on a 0-to-1 scale (5% = .05, etc.). |
|
PB or WP possible |
Yes = pitches with at least a 5% PBWP chance; No = all other pitches |
Filter + Stat Examples
This example uses the Prob of PB/WP filter on a leaderboard page to show the catcher with the most blocks on pitches with a PBWP of 10% in the 2023 season.
This example uses the PB or WP possible filter on a leaderboard page to show the pitchers with the most curveballs with 5%+ PBWP in the 2023 season.