Gunner Leger Back on Board

[CrazyCajun]

I don’t know what exactly is meant by the title, but Wake Forest, who led the NCAA in pitching by a MILE, has implemented a very intricate analytics approach with their pitchers.

They study things with different arm slots, spin rates from different arm slots, etc to maximize what pitches each guy should throw and from the best corresponding arm slot to make them successful. It’s the same premise that the Astros have used with their pitchers for the last 6-7 years. “Tunneling” being a catch phrase, meaning being able to throw multiple different types of pitches from the same “tunnel” or arm slot, to make initial pitch recognition as difficult as possible. And analyzing data (spin rate, movement, vertical drop, etc) for each pitch and slot gives them the base line to work from.

It may sound like hogwash to some, but the results are there.

I know it’s not the only reason, shortened draft has an effect, but pitching overall is down since analytics and TrackMan showed up. A lot of greats that have come through here probably don’t get recruited By todays analytic standards. Our team ERA has dropped every year since installing TrackMan here.

[sportsfanatic21]

I know it’s not the only reason, shortened draft has an effect, but pitching overall is down since analytics and TrackMan showed up. A lot of greats that have come through here probably don’t get recruited By todays analytic standards. Our team ERA has dropped every year since installing TrackMan here.

I don’t disagree at all. You’re spot on.

But I think what we may be dealing with now, if this is the kind of thing Gunner will be doing, is taking those velos and spin rates and maximizing their benefits.

Basically instead of saying “we have a guy that throws hard and can spin the crap out it”, it’ll be using tools to take those abilities and implement them into actually pitching.

[CajunVic]

I don’t disagree at all. You’re spot on.

But I think what we may be dealing with now, if this is the kind of thing Gunner will be doing, is taking those velos and spin rates and maximizing their benefits.

Basically instead of saying “we have a guy that throws hard and can spin the crap out it”, it’ll be using tools to take those abilities and implement them into actually pitching.

Agree 1000%

[CrazyCajun]

I don’t disagree at all. You’re spot on.

But I think what we may be dealing with now, if this is the kind of thing Gunner will be doing, is taking those velos and spin rates and maximizing their benefits.

Basically instead of saying “we have a guy that throws hard and can spin the crap out it”, it’ll be using tools to take those abilities and implement them into actually pitching.

Exactly, it’s a tool to make you better, it shouldn’t be relied on as the philosophy.

[babysitter]

This hire is about one thing; the "development of pitchers within this program". Whether Gunner will be in the dugout or out the dugout, he will be working with the pitchers on a consistent basis. That I know 100%. As for the analytics part, none us have a clear answer for that. That's a Deggs-Gunner issue. My question would be, will Seth now become the "assistant pitching coach" or "in game" pitching coach. It is a bit confusing.

[Cajunsmike]

This hire is about one thing; the "development of pitchers within this program". Whether Gunner will be in the dugout or out the dugout, he will be working with the pitchers on a consistent basis. That I know 100%. As for the analytics part, none us have a clear answer for that. That's a Deggs-Gunner issue. My question would be, will Seth now become the "assistant pitching coach" or "in game" pitching coach. It is a bit confusing.

Yesterday, Anthony Babineaux discussed this with Billy Ryckman. He said Gunner is taking over a role someone previously had. Don’t recall the name of that person but the guy is moving on. Bab indicated all other coaches are remaining. He also said Gunner cannot recruit off campus in that position. Now of course things can change

[Dad04]

Yesterday, Anthony Babineaux discussed this with Billy Ryckman. He said Gunner is taking over a role someone previously had. Don’t recall the name of that person but the guy is moving on. Bab indicated all other coaches are remaining. He also said Gunner cannot recruit off campus in that position. Now of course things can change

So much of recruiting contact is via text, email and phone anyway. This move will be very helpful in Lake Charles baseball where he is basically a household name.

[BeauCajun]

Yesterday, Anthony Babineaux discussed this with Billy Ryckman. He said Gunner is taking over a role someone previously had. Don’t recall the name of that person but the guy is moving on. Bab indicated all other coaches are remaining. He also said Gunner cannot recruit off campus in that position. Now of course things can change

He’ll probably still be able to continue his day time job in this capacity.

[MelRock]

He’ll probably still be able to continue his day time job in this capacity.

This is Gunner's daytime job. My understanding he left his other job some time back.

[CrazyCajun]

This is Gunner's daytime job. My understanding he left his other job some time back.

He did leave a while back.