A Common Theme

Coincidentally, the John Dewan stat of the week this week happens to correspond quite nicely with my Schrodinger's Bat column titled "Clearing the Decks" posted today on Baseball Prospectus. John talks about the best bunters of 2007 and in my column I do a little of that in relation to the Tattered Cover book signing that I pariticpated in several weeks ago before moving on to the minor leagues best bunters from 2005 through 2007.

In additon I take a look at the concept of "free bases" recently discussed by Rangers' staff as well as the recent 2008 Scout's Honor Results posted on MLB.com. It's in that section that I revisit the topic of bunting a little and have this to say on the scout's choices in that category.

Best Bunter: Juan Pierre, with Ichiro Suzuki runner-up. Near and dear to the first topic discussed this week. While Pierre is the most prolific bunter over the past six years (320 attempts), his success rate ranks 16th out of the 18 players with 75 or more attempts during that span, with a success rate of 41 percent. Suzuki doesn't bunt nearly as often, but does succeed more frequently at 59 percent in 59 attempts. No, Willy Taveras would clearly be the better choice with Luis Castillo (54 percent in 84 attempts) and Corey Patterson (51 percent in 128 attempts) undoubtedly better as well.

Of course I critique a few of the other choices as well...