baseball-reference sim scores updated for 2009

by DavidRF on Nov 10, 2009 12:31 AM EST Comment 18 comments

Baseball-reference.com did their postseason update today.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/blog/archives/3276

The most entertaining part of the update is the sim scores and age-based sim scores are now updated through the end of 2009. Most are familiar with Sim Scores. They are a Bill James invention but they were purposely designed to mimic HOF induction behavior circa 1990 or so. Because of that, they don't include park/era effect and tend to rely mainly on the more traditional counting stats. His thinking at the time was that the BBWAA/VC didn't incorporate those things. So, sometimes you get some quirky comps, but even the quirky comps can be fun and even a bit telling (e.g. Jason Tyner's comps are predominantly dead-ball era players).

Caveats aside, here are the latest comps for our Twins:

Joe Mauer (26) -> Robinson Cano
Justin Morneau (28) -> Paul Konerko
Nick Punto (31) -> Frank O'Rourke
Orlando Carbrera (34) -> Julio Franco
Joe Crede (31) -> Kelly Gruber
Delmon Young (23) -> Carlos May
Carlos Gomez (23) -> Curt Welch
Michael Cuddyer (30) -> Milton Bradley
Jason Kubel (27) -> Jason Giambi
Denard Span (25) -> Homer Summa
Brendan Harris (28) -> Sandy Alomar, Jr.
JJ Hardy (26) -> Miguel Tejada

Nick Blackburn (27) -> Rheal Cormier
Scott Baker (27) -> Scott Bankhead
Francisco Liriano (25) -> Odalis Perez
Glen Perkins (26) -> Joe Saunders
Kevin Slowey (25) -> Edinson Volquez
Carl Pavano (33) -> Ramon Ortiz
Joe Nathan (34) -> Jeff Montgomery

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Jason Kubel (27) → Jason Giambi

Very interesting

http://twinkietalk.com
http://thecollegehockeyblog.com

by fetch9 on Nov 10, 2009 12:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yep. that's the funnest one, right?

Giambi proceeded to go absolutely nuts on the league for the next 5 years after that, with an MVP and 2 other top 5 finishes. Somehow I doubt Kubel starts walking 100+ times a year, but hey, I’d take it!

Hardy as Tejada is cool too.

Interesting one is Delmon Young—Carlos May. (They aren’t really that similar-May always drew walks). Both younger brothers of long-time major leaguers. Both viewed as being more talented than their siblings. May never fulfilled that and didn’t have the career his brother did, and Delmon might be on the same road.

by Eric in Madison on Nov 10, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, Kubel won't have the benfit of "supplements"

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Nov 10, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You never know

by Eric in Madison on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

either way

He’ll never be Eric Hinske.

formerly known in these parts as adamb

by ravenfly on Nov 11, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Gomez

CF for the Toledo Blue Stockings and St. Louis Browns of the Beer and Whiskey League.

I get a kick out of the more eclectic comps. Though I am glad to see that Mauer’s success has lasted longer than Shanty Hogan’s. :-)

by DavidRF on Nov 10, 2009 9:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

... and we just traded him for Miguel Tejada!

by DavidRF on Nov 10, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Miguel Tejada + Great Defense = Hall of Famer

by lookatthosetwins on Nov 11, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Do they take name into account?

Scott Baker/Bankhead is almost creepily close.

They definitely don’t take personality into account – Cuddyer has a reputation as one of the best clubhouse guys in the league, and his comp is Milton Bradley, who seems like he would be the biggest malcontent even in the California Penal League.

"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein

by BeefMaster on Nov 10, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ha

Didn’t realize that mauer is actually younger than Robinson Cano.

by lookatthosetwins on Nov 11, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

but Mauer

isn’t Rick Porcello (20 years old!!!)

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by 33MorneauMVP on Nov 11, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They tweaked the scores again...

Just a couple of points here and there, but enough to swap 1st and 2nd place on some players comp lists.

Mauer now closest to Tony Lazzeri
Gomez is now Jay Johnstone
Punto is now Dick Howser

I wonder what the tweak was… its a pretty simple formula that uses traditional stats. No big whoop, I suppose.

by DavidRF on Nov 11, 2009 5:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

"Punto is now Dick Howser"

So, do you suppose in school (in yearbooks and the like) or on rosters, that guy was listed as ‘Howser, Dick’?

Sorry.

by fischean on Nov 11, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That nickname for Richard sure is dead, isn't it?

Is there still a “Long Cadillac” in Saint Paul run by Dick Long? Most Cadillac dealerships sell Hummer’s these days, so you could potentially give Dick Long a Hummer in exchange for a Cadillac. If that guy is still around, I’m sure he’s heard them all.

Howser’s a fun comp for Punto though. Likeable journeyman infielder who went into coaching and then managing. Won a WS managing the Royals in ’85. Died young, though. LNP can skip that part of the comp.

by DavidRF on Nov 11, 2009 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs