Most over-rated skill in baseball - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Ltlabner · 11-13-2006, 10:54 AM

As I am often want to do, I started a thread a few weeks ago called, "the most important skill in baseball".

On the flip side; what is the most over-rated skill in baseball...and why?

George Anderson · 11-13-2006, 11:00 AM

The velocity on a fastball. If you have little control or little movement on the pitch then its not worth much.

Always Red · 11-13-2006, 11:26 AM

foot speed.

If you can't catch it, throw it or hit it, foot speed won't help you out all that much.

RedsManRick · 11-13-2006, 11:43 AM

"Athleticism"

You can put a pure, raw athlete in a football jersey or basketball shorts and pretty quickly turn them in a solid player, beating guys on their instincts. Baseball is much more skill based. Not that you don't need athleticism and natural talent, but it's just a different level. There are heaps of tremendous athletes (Ruben Mateo anyone) who were given plenty of opportunities but just never amounted to much. You just don't see that happen in other sports as much.

texasdave · 11-13-2006, 12:36 PM

Spitting sunflower seeds into a bucket. Sure that skill might just make you a chick magnet, but in arbitration hearings what is really worth? Besides, if you stop to think about it, you're probably only good at it because of all of the pine time you been putting in over the years.

RFS62 · 11-13-2006, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

The velocity on a fastball. If you have little control or little movement on the pitch then its not worth much.

I agree, unless the speed is in the high 90's.

Otherwise, late movement and command are infinitely more important.

BoydsOfSummer · 11-13-2006, 03:02 PM

Perceived defensive prowess.

Superdude · 11-13-2006, 03:17 PM

Pick off move.

Handofdeath · 11-13-2006, 03:21 PM

The ability to take a walk.

westofyou · 11-13-2006, 03:27 PM

Batters don't follow out their natural instinct to wallop the ball, but stall around the plate in the hope of drawing a base instead of hitting the ball hard.

Hap · 11-13-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Always Red

foot speed.

If you can't catch it, throw it or hit it, foot speed won't help you out all that much.

Johnny Footstool · 11-13-2006, 04:01 PM

Sacrifice bunting is incredibly overrated for anyone but a pitcher.

jimbo · 11-13-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handofdeath

The ability to take a walk.

If you are referring to an ability to take a walk because a hitter goes up to the plate simply looking for a walk, I probably agree. But if a high number of walks are the result of a hitter who has good plate discipline, then I couldn't disagree more. A hitter with good plate discipline is not only increasing his chances of a walk, but also his chances of making good contact because they will only swing at pitches that they have a high percentage of making good contact with. Walks are a by-product of good plate discipline in most cases and I can't see that as being a bad or overrated thing. Walks lead to baserunners who lead to runs scored.

As to the topic at hand, I would have to agree with a few other posters who mentioned a pitcher who throws heat. Throwing the ball hard, unless you can throw in the high 90s, will not be effective unless you can change speeds, put movement on the ball, and locate your pitches.

Handofdeath · 11-13-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Walks lead to baserunners who lead to runs scored.

If you have someone talented enough to hit you in.

Highlifeman21 · 11-13-2006, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handofdeath

If you have someone talented enough to hit you in.

Walks score runs too.

They avoid outs and acquire a base, which last time I checked is the main two objectives for EVERY PA. How something that accomplishes the main two objectives of every PA is overrated.... well, enlighten us.

11-13-2006, 10:54 AM	#1
Ltlabner 2009: Fail Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 7,441	Most over-rated skill in baseball As I am often want to do, I started a thread a few weeks ago called, "the most important skill in baseball". On the flip side; what is the most over-rated skill in baseball...and why? __________________ a super volcano of ridonkulous suckitude. I simply don't have access to a "cares about RBI" place in my psyche. There is a "mildly curious about OBI%" alcove just before the acid filled lake guarded by robot snipers with lasers which leads to the "cares about RBI" antechamber though. - Nate

11-13-2006, 11:00 AM	#2
George Anderson Beer is good!! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,184	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball The velocity on a fastball. If you have little control or little movement on the pitch then its not worth much.

11-13-2006, 11:26 AM	#3
Always Red nothing more than a fan Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4,100	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball foot speed. If you can't catch it, throw it or hit it, foot speed won't help you out all that much.

11-13-2006, 11:43 AM	#4
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,988	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball "Athleticism" You can put a pure, raw athlete in a football jersey or basketball shorts and pretty quickly turn them in a solid player, beating guys on their instincts. Baseball is much more skill based. Not that you don't need athleticism and natural talent, but it's just a different level. There are heaps of tremendous athletes (Ruben Mateo anyone) who were given plenty of opportunities but just never amounted to much. You just don't see that happen in other sports as much. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

11-13-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
texasdave Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 9,809	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball Spitting sunflower seeds into a bucket. Sure that skill might just make you a chick magnet, but in arbitration hearings what is really worth? Besides, if you stop to think about it, you're probably only good at it because of all of the pine time you been putting in over the years.

11-13-2006, 03:02 PM	#7
BoydsOfSummer So Long Uncle Joe Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hamilton,Ohio Posts: 3,849	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball Perceived defensive prowess. __________________ 0 Value Over Replacement Poster "Sit over here next to Johnathan (Bench)...sit right here, he's smart."--Sparky Anderson

11-13-2006, 03:17 PM	#8
Superdude Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,470	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball Pick off move.

11-13-2006, 03:21 PM	#9
Handofdeath Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,361	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball The ability to take a walk.

11-13-2006, 03:27 PM	#10
westofyou breath Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: PDX Posts: 39,662	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball Batters don't follow out their natural instinct to wallop the ball, but stall around the plate in the hope of drawing a base instead of hitting the ball hard.

11-13-2006, 04:01 PM	#12
Johnny Footstool Churlish Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 13,676	Re: Most over-rated skill in baseball Sacrifice bunting is incredibly overrated for anyone but a pitcher. __________________ "I prefer books and movies where the conflict isn't of the extreme cannibal apocalypse variety I guess." Redsfaithful

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode