Back in 2009, we began a series of research articles looking at hard-hit data for both batters and pitchers. The research confirmed what you might expect—pitchers with lower hard-hit rates (HH%) generally had better results: higher Dom, lower hr/f rates, and subsequently, lower ERAs. However, at the time of that original research, we didn't have enough years of data to conclude whether pitchers actually had any control over their hard-hit rates. Now we do.

Hunting? In April? Absolutely. The following analysis focuses on the hunt for new closers, with specific focus placed on the timing of transition from one closer to another. Once the hunt is complete and we have satisfied our craving for saves, we will return to the picture above to see if it holds any hidden meaning after all.

In this article, we will outline a brief study of WP and HBP, how they connect to various other metrics, if at all, and how we might improve our ability to identify the pitchers we want — and don’t.

The baseball positions (other than pitcher) may be laid along a defensive spectrum. For players with long careers, they often tend to shift positions during their careers, but the defensive shifts are predominantly in the direction from more difficult to easier positions. Shifts in the other direction are less common for good reason: they "almost never work."

Translating ADP data into likelihood that a player is available at a given draft position...