Effective Wildness : Part 3

So, ending off last time I teased an EF equation that produced a record of 928 – 575 (.617) So what was it? Well, it was;

(SO/BB Ratio) / (EF)

To produce a rate over 1.00, a pitcher has to produce a low EF ratio. In the history of Major League Baseball, a total of 53 pitchers have produced SO/BB €“ EF ratio over 1 in 67 different seasons in the history of MLB baseball. Here’s the list, in order;

This ratio is VERY dependant on low walk totals, as both half’s of the equation deal with walks. Does a low SO/BB €“ EF ratio produce a better record than a let’s say a SO/BB ratio? How about a low BB/IP ratio. Let’s see by using the top 67 seasons (to match up with our previous equation) of each equation.

What does this all mean? Obviously low walk totals can lead to good things, as evidenced by the BB/IP, and SO/BB ratios. The low end of SO/HBP was predictable, as low K totals coupled with high HBP totals spell out no control. On the other hand, the high end of SO/HBP was pretty surprising, producing the highest win total (18.2 on average). So this group of pitchers obviously didn’t need to hit anybody to gain success. This group averaged a SO/IP ratio of 7.1 and a SO/HBP ratio of 197.5.

So, in the end, is having a high EF important to success? Well, I think that it can in-fact help out control pitchers with less than spectacular stuff, it won’t hurt a bully either. The low walks are a huge driving force, there’s no doubt. But I’d like to see some proof in a modern setting. This will come in the form of an added part four, which will look a selection of control and power pitchers from the past three seasons, their respective EF’s, and their overall level of success.