Dodgers News: Writer Floats Idea That Hitters Will Swing Less Following Vargas Recovery
Miguel Vargas has been on top of the world these past few months. Entering this season after some excellent play in the minor leagues, Vargas is finally going to suit up full-time for the Dodgers, and they have second base saved for him. He is already getting love in most Rookie of the Year predictions and analysts expect him to play a big role in whether LA can succeed this season.
Miggy's Spring Training did not get off to an ideal start, though, as he fractured his pinky finger during a workout and was not allowed to hit in games. He still was allowed to man the infield at second base but the coaching staff made him take pitches every time he stepped up to the plate.
However, it seems as though others were watching Vargas during this recovery period and saw how when he finally was cleared to hit, he did so at a higher rate. The incoming rookie was able to watch the pitchers load up multiple times and better prepare for future plate appearances, especially with the new clock.
Zach Rizer of Yahoo Sports brought up some interesting studies done after Vargas' recent play and suggested that players may be inspired to walk more than swing.
"It sounds like a farce," said Rizer. "And in many way ways it is, but it joins the adventures of New York Mets pitcher Robert Gsellman - also prohibited from swinging, though less publicly, in 2016 - in the annals of extreme samples that draw attention to a secret: Hitters might be better off swinging far, far less than they currently do. The latest study nudging hitters to watch pitches go by comes from Drew Haugen, an analyst at Down on the Farm who set out to quantify swing decisions."
Even if it does help players' stats a bit, swinging at less balls probably wouldn't be good for the overall theme of baseball. However, in terms of allowing players to look at pitches while recovering from injuries in spring training, I think the Dodgers may have found something here.
