Wilson Ramos' Walkoff Home Run

Heat map data taken from 2010-2011 (Click image to enlarge)

Last night, Wilson Ramos of the Washington Nationals hit a three run walkoff home run off Seattle Mariners' reliever David Pauley in the ninth inning.  The above image shows the pitch sequence superimposed on his slugging percentage heat map.  Pauley threw the Nationals' catcher a 1-1 changeup inside, right to Ramos' hot zone.  Dating back to the beginning of 2010, Ramos has a slugging percentage of .526 on changeups, with 4 doubles and 2 home runs in 41 plate appearances.

Most Squeezed Pitchers to Date

(2011 data through June 15th - Min. 150 pitches thrown within the strike zone)Brandon League of the Mariners remains near the top of the list.  However, Cubs' righthander Marcos Mateo has taken over the top spot.

And here's the flip side of the coin, pitchers with the highest percentage of strikes called on balls within the pitchFX defined strike zone:

(2011 data through June 15th - Min. 150 pitches thrown within the strike zone)Apparently, pitching in relief for the reigning World Series Champions helps umpires correctly identify strikes. 

Peguero Hitting Backwards

Carlos Peguero of the Seattle Mariners isn't hitting for a high average or getting on base much, but he is smacking the ball.  He slugs .457 with a .223 batting average, indicating that his average hit is better than a double.

Rookie batters are known for their ability to hit the fastball, but they need to learn to hit major league breaking pitches.  Minor league pitchers can throw hard, but what often keeps them in the minors is their inability to fool batters with off-speed pitches.  When young hitters reach the majors, they have not see very many good breaking balls and change ups. 

Peguero exhibits the exact opposite tendency.

Carlos Peguero, in play slugging percentage on fastballs, 2011.That's about as cold a strike zone as you'll see.  In 38 plate appearances ending in a fastball, Peguero owns a .176/.263/.176 slash line, good for a .219 wOBA. Lower the speed, however, and the zone lights up:

Carlos Peguero, in play slugging on change ups, curve balls and sliders, 2011.In 39 PA against these pitches, Carlos posts a .324/.359/.811 slash line with eight of his 12 hits going for extra bases and a .474 wOBA.  Until Carlos catches up to the fastball, there's no reason not to challenge him.