The Crazy Joe Mauer Shift
Fangraphs has introduced a new section on their website for splits. One of the first players they checked out was Joe Mauer and he has some crazy hitting stats. Dave Cameron suggests a bizarre fielding arrangement to counteract Mauer's tendencies.
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Cameron is likely right
that Mauer would adjust, but it would still be pretty darn hilarious if anybody actually tried that shift.
People sort of
People sort of already have. i’ve seen the huge infield shift often and I’ve even seen it paired with the outfielders shaded the opposite direction…
"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane
"The Crazy Joe Mauer Shift"
I hope that becomes the official name. Crazy- because you are putting a shift on against a player that can drop the ball wherever he chooses to.
by Bert: Oh, we're live? on Feb 9, 2010 3:06 PM EST reply actions
Jacque Jones
Unrelated, but did anyone else see that we signed him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training?
Source?
That would be a fanshot on the front page.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Jason Pridie
Related, Pridie has been waived to make room for Hudson, he was claimed by the Mets according to MLBTR
I posted most of the statement in a fanpost if you want to check that out. There are in subsequent posts, one on Jones signing and the more recent one on Pridie being waived
How would that shift work with guys on base?
I think I’d like to have Span on second base in that scenario.
This would be awesome
If it became a common strategy, I think we’d see an even higher batting average out of Mauer as he learned to turn virtually any pitch into a ground ball to the left side for a single. He could look for a pitch he could pull and elevate early in the count, increasing his share of bombs onto the pavilion in right center at Target. And if he got behind, he could fall back on slapping singles to left Ichiro-style all day long. I suppose his doubles totals would go down, though. Small sacrifice.
This is not new.
Teams frequently used this shift against Mauer last season. We all know what the result was….Batting title #3
Play him to hit the oppostie way, he pulls it. Play him to pull, he hits the oppostie way
The only defense that really works is to bunch the infielders towards the middle. He hits a lot of balls right up the middle.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
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