Here are the links for this week:

  • Statistically Speaking has a mind spinning look at Johan Santana that includes Pitch Fx and all types of other colorful graphs. I try to learn as much as a I can about various stats these days and stay knowledgeable regarding how to evaluate talent using them, but this is hard stuff. – (Source)
  • Sabernomics asks a very good question on his blog. “Where do we draw the line on performance enhancement?” Apparently the Olympics are ruling that his prosthetics are giving him an unfair advantage. Blah, that’s retarded. – (Source)
  • The Hardball Times has a piece on how to evaluate hitters, and uses the subjects of Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, and Tony Gwynn as examples. It’s an interesting concept. – (Source)
  • The Biz of Baseball has posted the complete Spring Training schedule for all of Major League Baseball in a handy PDF file. If you’re interested in downloading it, you can do so right from here. – (Get PDF)
  • Pinstripe Alley makes the case that Baseball should level the playing field between pitchers and hitters and raise the mound. – (Source)
  • The Hardball Times posts their results from a study of who had the best OF arm last year. Not only did Alfonso Soriano lead all left fielders, but he was head and shoulders above all of them. Check out how he stacked up against some of the right fielders as well, which is generally regarded as the position with the strongest arms in the outfield. – (Source)
  • Balls, Sticks, and Stuff released a new search option for Baseball called Baseboogle. It’s powered by Google and includes some of the top baseball sites around. They were even gracious enough to include us (blushing). I’ve linked to them in the sidebar as well. – (Source)
  • Flotsam presented an interesting post about the top 50 “grittiest” seasons of all time. He even goes into how he calculates it. I have to admit, the concept makes me laugh a little, but maybe the stat heads can even calculate the stuff that makes Ryan Theriot a fan favorite. – (Source) One reader even commented:

The Cubs may not ever win the world series(what, this gag’s been used before?) but Ryan Theriot will make his mark in the top 50 grittiest season performances before his career ends, you mark my words

  • Did you know that Matt Williams hit 62 home runs in a season? Stat of the Day Blog, which is run by Baseball Reference, actually compiled the strike shortened season with 2005 in the beginning and found this nugget. – (Source)
  • Bill Nye the Science Guy chimes in on why so many bats have been breaking in the games these days. – (Source)