Question for Pirates fans

by Matt Swartz on Aug 13, 2010 9:50 PM EDT

My name is Matt Swartz, and I’m an author at Baseball Prospectus. I’m doing some research on the infield shift (where three infielders play on the right side of second base for a left-handed hitter), and the data is a bit hard to come by. Since I know what a great resource the SBNation blogs are, being a former writer at one myself, I thought that some of you could give me some help.

I am curious who has gotten shifted against on your team MOST of the time, AND who your team regularly has shifted against in your division over the last 18 years. To jog your memory I am listing the lefties and switch-hitters that your team has had in the last 18 years that have hit at least 20 home runs.

Thank you for your help.

LHB

Adam LaRoche
Nate McLouth
Brian Giles
John Vander Wal
Al Martin

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Pablo Sandoval

Adrian Gonzalez,Howard,

by bucsreport on Aug 13, 2010 10:18 PM EDT reply actions

hmm

I think he was looking for our batters who had the shift put on them when up to bat.

We Pirate fans have a saying: "God created the Bucs to train the faithful." One cannot go against the word of God.

by shrowd on Aug 13, 2010 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m younger so I don’t remember much from too far back but I can’t think of anyone who opposing teams have shifted for, possibly Garrett Jones a few times last year. But this year within the division I can only think of Prince as the only one consistently shifted against. There may be others but that’s all I can think of within the central.

by thefutureisnear on Aug 13, 2010 10:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

That's sort of a depressing list...

Only 5 left handed hits with 20 hrs in the past 18 years…

by smoked on Aug 13, 2010 11:52 PM EDT reply actions

A couple teams tried the shift against Garrett Jones last year. He hit against it pretty successfully a couple teams and it seemed to go away.

Teams were shifting on Ryan Doumit from the left side a bit in 2008. It seemed to work fairly well, but I don’t remember anyone doing it since.

That’s about all I can think of from think of from the Pirates. I don’t think I remember it ever happening for LaRoche or McLouth, and I’d need help jogging my memory on the others. It’s been a while.

by ElDuce on Aug 15, 2010 1:03 AM EDT reply actions