Sabermetrics: Magnum Start Value, Cy Young Controversy and Combimetrics

October 2016

Justin Verlander

10/2 @ Atlanta Braves: 7 IP, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 2.5 (L, Tigers lose 1-0)

Speaking of October, any time a month does not have more than three starts altogether it cannot be calculated into MMT or MMA. The only portion of the formula it can be added to is YMT or YMA. Therefore, this outing is off limits to any short-term analysis.

Once all of the data is compiled, it seems as though Verlander’s MSV competition was not from Porcello but a division rival instead. Kluber performed near the level of Verlander in many categories, as both posted a Yearly Magnum Total (YMT) of around 60 (63.65 for Kluber and 59.53 for Verlander). Meanwhile Porcello failed to crack 50 (49.65 to be exact), which is just 1.50 when his YMA is calculated.

Moving on to the new addition of MSV, let’s take a look at each pitchers’ Yearly Magnum Percentage (YMP). Verlander was phenomenal, as he qualified for a Magnum Start half the time during the 2016 season. Kluber performed very well himself, considering he tossed a Magnum Start 40.3 percent of the time (always round to the tenths place). Porcello brought up the rear, by only hurling one in a third of his outings.

So, should Porcello have won the Cy Young award? That answer looks to be no from these results however they just take one aspect of statistics into account. While MSV looks heavily at the dominance of the starter, it fails to evaluate his subpar outings. Do writers vote on elite starts only? Highly doubtful, but keep in mind journalists fill out their ballot on familiarity as well, and the Red Sox are on national television a lot. Unfortunately, ignorance can hurt a pitcher who performs better but fails to be seen.

All in all, I think bringing the concept of combimetrics into baseball will aid statistics due to the fact that it combines two different aspects of analysis. Anytime sabermetrics can be crossed with a regular form of statistics, it assists those evaluating the worth of player in ways that usual assessment does not. While combimetrics is fairly straight forward, it has a twist that adds an element of complexity to what seems simple. How will it be used? Time will tell, but make sure to stick around as more is forthcoming.