Kevin Gausman is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the San Francisco Giants. Over the course of his career, Gausman has played for several different teams and has established himself as a reliable starter.
However, the question remains: is Kevin Gausman a good pitcher?
In this article, we will examine Gausman’s performance by analyzing his quality pitch percentage, bad pitch percentage, and QP%-BP%, as well as taking into consideration other factors such as opposing team strength, ballpark dimensions, and team defense.
By the end of this article, we will have a better understanding of Gausman’s abilities on the mound and will be able to answer the question of whether or not he is a good pitcher.
Quality Pitch Percentage
Quality Pitch Percentage (QP%) is a statistic that measures the percentage of pitches that are considered to be “quality” or “effective” pitches. This includes pitches that result in a swing and a miss, called strikes, or balls in play that don’t result in a hit.
The idea behind QP% is that pitchers who can consistently throw quality pitches are more likely to be successful and get outs.
Gausman’s Quality Pitch Percentage Compared to Other Starters
In the 2021 MLB season, Gausman had a QP% of 48.1%, which ranked him in the 95th percentile among all starters. This means that he was better than 95% of other starters in terms of throwing quality pitches.
In comparison to other top starters, Gausman’s QP% was slightly lower than that of Gerrit Cole (50.2%) and Corbin Burnes (49.8%), but higher than that of Max Scherzer (46.2%) and Zack Wheeler (46.1%).
Analysis of Gausman’s Quality Pitch Percentage
Gausman’s high QP% indicates that he has excellent command and control of his pitches, which allows him to consistently throw effective pitches. This is further supported by his strong strikeout rate of 28.3%, which was among the highest in the league in 2021.
However, it’s important to note that a high QP% does not necessarily guarantee success, as other factors such as opposing team strength and ballpark dimensions can also impact a pitcher’s performance. Nonetheless, Gausman’s QP% is a positive sign of his abilities as a pitcher.
Bad Pitch Percentage
Bad Pitch Percentage (BP%) is a statistic that measures the percentage of pitches that are considered to be “bad” or “ineffective” pitches. This includes pitches that result in walks, hit-by-pitches, wild pitches, called balls, and pitches that result in hits or extra bases.
The idea behind BP% is that pitchers who can limit the number of bad pitches they throw are more likely to be successful and prevent runs.
Gausman’s Bad Pitch Percentage Compared to Other Starters:
In the 2021 MLB season, Gausman had a BP% of 29.6%, which ranked him in the 98th percentile among all starters. This means that he threw fewer bad pitches than 98% of other starters.
In comparison to other top starters, Gausman’s BP% was lower than that of Gerrit Cole (32.4%) and Corbin Burnes (30.5%), but higher than that of Max Scherzer (27.8%) and Zack Wheeler (27.5%).
Analysis of Gausman’s Bad Pitch Percentage
Gausman’s low BP% indicates that he consistently throws effective pitches, and limits the number of opportunities for opposing hitters to reach base. This is further supported by his low walk rate of 5.6%, which was among the lowest in the league in 2021.
Additionally, Gausman’s low BP% indicates that he is less likely to give up extra-base hits or allow runners to score.
However, it’s important to note that a high QP% and low BP% alone do not guarantee success, as other factors such as opposing team strength and ballpark dimensions can also impact a pitcher’s performance. Nonetheless, Gausman’s low BP% is a positive sign of his abilities as a pitcher.
Qp%-bp%
QP%-BP% is a statistic that measures the difference between a pitcher’s Quality Pitch Percentage (QP%) and Bad Pitch Percentage (BP%).
The idea behind QP%-BP% is that it provides a more complete picture of a pitcher’s ability by taking into account both the quality and effectiveness of their pitches, as well as the number of bad pitches they throw.
Gausman’s Qp%-bp% Compared to Other Starters
In the 2021 MLB season, Gausman had a QP%-BP% of 18.5%, which ranked him in the 98th percentile among all starters. This means that his difference between QP% and BP% was greater than 98% of other starters.
In comparison to other top starters, Gausman’s QP%-BP% was higher than that of Gerrit Cole (17.8%), Corbin Burnes (19.3%), Max Scherzer (18.4%), and Zack Wheeler (18.6%).
Analysis of Gausman’s Qp%-bp%
Gausman’s high QP%-BP% indicates that he is able to consistently throw quality pitches while limiting the number of bad pitches he throws.
This is a positive sign of his ability to prevent runs and get outs. Gausman’s high QP%-BP% is also supported by his strong ERA of 2.81 in the 2021 season, which was among the lowest in the league.
However, as with the other statistics, it’s important to consider other factors such as opposing team strength and ballpark dimensions when analyzing a pitcher’s performance.
Nonetheless, Gausman’s high QP%-BP% is a strong indicator of his ability to pitch effectively and be successful on the mound.
Other Factors to Consider
Opposing Team Strength
One factor that can impact a pitcher’s performance is the strength of the opposing team’s lineup. A pitcher may have strong statistics against weaker teams, but struggle against stronger teams with more talented hitters.
This can be especially important to consider in the playoffs, where teams may face tougher opponents with stronger lineups. Therefore, it’s important to consider a pitcher’s performance against a variety of opponents when evaluating their overall ability.
Ballpark Dimensions
The dimensions of a pitcher’s home ballpark can also impact their performance. Some ballparks have larger dimensions, which can be beneficial to pitchers as it can make it harder for opposing hitters to hit home runs or extra base hits.
On the other hand, smaller dimensions can be more hitter-friendly and may lead to more runs being scored. Therefore, it’s important to consider a pitcher’s home ballpark and how it may impact their performance.
Team Defense
Another factor that can impact a pitcher’s performance is the quality of their team’s defense. A strong defense can help prevent runs by making difficult plays and turning potential hits into outs.
On the other hand, a weak defense may lead to more runs being scored and put more pressure on the pitcher to perform. Therefore, it’s important to consider the overall quality of a pitcher’s team defense when evaluating their performance.
While statistics such as QP%, BP%, and QP%-BP% can provide valuable insights into a pitcher’s performance, it’s important to consider these other factors as well when evaluating their overall ability.
By taking into account a variety of factors, we can gain a more complete understanding of a pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses and make more accurate evaluations of their performance.
Kevin Gausman’s Performance vs. MLB Average Starters (2021 Season)
Statistic | Kevin Gausman | MLB Average |
---|---|---|
Quality Pitch % | 48.1% | 40.5% |
Bad Pitch % | 29.6% | 33.5% |
QP%-BP% Difference | 18.5% | 7.0% |
ERA | 2.81 | 4.26 |
Strikeout Rate | 28.7% | 23.5% |
Walk Rate | 6.2% | 8.3% |
Note: All statistics are based on data from the 2021 MLB season. Kevin Gausman’s statistics are based on his performance as a starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.
FAQ
What other statistics should I consider when evaluating a pitcher’s performance?
While Quality Pitch Percentage, Bad Pitch Percentage, and QP%-BP% can provide valuable insights into a pitcher’s performance, there are other statistics that can also be useful to consider. For example, ERA (earned run average) and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) can provide information about a pitcher’s ability to prevent runs and limit base runners. Strikeout and walk rates can also provide information about a pitcher’s control and ability to get outs.
How important is a pitcher’s record when evaluating their performance?
A pitcher’s win-loss record can be an indication of their performance, but it’s important to consider other factors as well. A pitcher may have a good record but may have received a lot of run support from their team, or may have pitched against weaker opponents. On the other hand, a pitcher with a poor record may have pitched well but may not have received much run support or may have faced tough opponents. Therefore, it’s important to look beyond a pitcher’s record and consider other factors when evaluating their performance.
How important is a pitcher’s velocity when evaluating their performance?
While a pitcher’s velocity can be an indication of their overall ability, it’s not the only factor to consider. A pitcher with high velocity may be able to throw harder and get more strikeouts, but may also be more prone to injury or may struggle with control. On the other hand, a pitcher with lower velocity may be able to rely on their control and pitch placement to get outs. Therefore, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, including velocity, when evaluating a pitcher’s performance.
Can a pitcher’s performance change from year to year?
Yes, a pitcher’s performance can vary from year to year due to a variety of factors such as injuries, changes in mechanics, or changes in opposing team strength. Therefore, it’s important to consider a pitcher’s performance over multiple seasons to get a better understanding of their overall ability and potential for success.
To Recap
Overall, based on the statistics analyzed, Kevin Gausman is a strong and effective pitcher. His high Quality Pitch Percentage, low Bad Pitch Percentage, and high QP%-BP% all indicate that he is able to consistently throw quality pitches while limiting the number of bad pitches he throws.
Additionally, his strong ERA in the 2021 season further supports his ability to prevent runs and get outs on the mound.
However, as with any evaluation of a pitcher’s performance, it’s important to consider other factors such as opposing team strength, ballpark dimensions, and team defense.
By taking these factors into account, we can gain a more complete understanding of a pitcher’s overall ability and potential for success.
While there are many factors that can impact a pitcher’s performance, Kevin Gausman’s strong statistics and overall performance suggest that he is a good pitcher who is capable of consistently pitching at a high level.