Baseball
2025 ZiPS Projections: Insights on the San Francisco Giants
2024-12-05
The San Francisco Giants are set to face a new season with a mix of established players and promising prospects. In this in-depth analysis, we'll take a closer look at their batters and pitchers through the lens of the ZiPS projection system.

Unveiling the 2025 ZiPS Projections for the San Francisco Giants

Batters – Standard

The Giants' batting lineup holds a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talents. Matt Chapman, for instance, is a reliable force with his solid defensive skills and consistent offensive contributions. Patrick Bailey has emerged as a legitimate star behind the plate, showing great potential with his bat. Tyler Fitzgerald is also in the mix, with his skills adding depth to the lineup.

Heliot Ramos, Jung Hoo Lee, and David Villar bring different aspects to the table. Ramos is known for his offensive prowess, while Lee is looking to bounce back after injuries. Villar's performance remains a bit of a mystery, but he has the potential to make an impact.

Mike Yastrzemski, Casey Schmitt, Brett Wisely, and the rest of the batters form a group that is both average and capable of producing some standout moments. Their defensive contributions play a significant role in the overall team performance.

Batters – Advanced

When looking at advanced metrics, we see a more detailed picture of each batter's performance. Matt Chapman's numbers show his ability to drive in runs and contribute on both offense and defense. Patrick Bailey's advanced stats highlight his defensive value and his potential as a key player.

Tyler Fitzgerald, Heliot Ramos, and the others have their own unique profiles. Some are known for their on-base percentage, while others shine in terms of slugging percentage. Each batter's advanced stats provide valuable insights into their overall game.

The advanced metrics also help us understand how these batters compare to their peers and how they might perform in different situations.

Batters – Top Near-Age Offensive Comps

Comparing these batters to other players of similar ages gives us an idea of their potential. Matt Chapman is reminiscent of George Grantham and Corey Koskie in terms of his hitting style. Patrick Bailey draws comparisons to JD Closser and Leon Lee.

Each batter has their own set of comps that offer a glimpse into their future performance. These comparisons help us understand the strengths and weaknesses of each player and how they might fit into the team's overall strategy.

Batters – 80th/20th Percentiles

Looking at the 80th and 20th percentiles for each batter gives us a sense of their performance range. Matt Chapman stands out at the 80th percentile with his high batting average and on-base percentage. Patrick Bailey is also in a good position, while some batters are closer to the 20th percentile.

These percentiles help us understand how each batter performs relative to the rest of the league and how they might contribute to the team's overall success.

Batters – Platoon Splits

The platoon splits show how these batters perform against left-handed and right-handed pitchers. Some batters have a clear advantage against one type of pitcher, while others are more balanced.

Understanding these platoon splits is important for managing the batting lineup and maximizing the team's offensive output.

Pitchers – Standard

The Giants' pitching staff is led by Logan Webb, a reliable starter with a solid ERA. Ryan Walker and Robbie Ray also bring their own skills to the rotation. Kyle Harrison is a young pitcher with potential, while the rest of the starters have their own strengths and weaknesses.

The bullpen is also an important part of the team, with players like Camilo Doval and Erik Miller providing valuable relief innings.

Each pitcher's statistics and performance patterns give us an idea of how they might perform in different situations and against different opponents.

Pitchers – Advanced

Advanced pitching metrics provide a deeper understanding of each pitcher's performance. Logan Webb's advanced stats show his ability to strike out batters and limit walks. Ryan Walker and the other pitchers also have their own unique profiles.

These advanced metrics help us evaluate the pitchers' control, command, and overall effectiveness on the mound.

Pitchers – Top Near-Age Comps

Comparing the pitchers to other players of similar ages gives us an idea of their potential. Logan Webb is similar to Frank Lary and Marcus Stroman in terms of his pitching style. Ryan Walker draws comparisons to Raisel Iglesias and Roberto Hernandez.

These comps help us understand the pitchers' strengths and weaknesses and how they might develop in the future.

Pitchers – Splits and Percentiles

The splits and percentiles for the pitchers show how they perform against left-handed and right-handed hitters. Some pitchers are more effective against one type of hitter, while others are more balanced.

Understanding these splits is important for managing the pitching staff and making strategic decisions during games.

Overall, the 2025 ZiPS projections for the San Francisco Giants paint a detailed picture of the team's strengths and weaknesses. While there are areas for improvement, the team has a mix of players with the potential to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Aiming to Boost Baseball Globally
2024-12-07
Ohtani, a remarkable athlete, shared his thoughts with Bob Nightengale of USA Today. He expressed his humility and gratitude for the support he has received. Despite the attention, he remains focused on baseball and aims to get better each day.

Ohtani's Impact on Baseball and Dodgers' Growth

Baseball's Continued Popularity

Ohtani emphasized the importance of baseball's popularity. He hopes that the sport will continue to grow in different countries. After just one year in Los Angeles, he has already exceeded expectations, making the Dodgers one of the most popular teams in MLB. The Dodgers' fans are eagerly anticipating what's next for Ohtani in 2025.

Ohtani's arrival has not only brought excitement to the team but has also likely paved the way for the franchise's continued growth. The Dodgers have revealed plans for his two-way debut next season, joining a rotation with other aces like Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Blake Snell. This combination of talent is sure to make the upcoming season even more thrilling.

The Dodgers' popularity is a testament to Ohtani's influence. His skills on the field have captured the hearts of fans around the world. As he continues to shine, the team is likely to attract even more supporters and become a force to be reckoned with in the MLB.

Ohtani's Focus on Baseball

Ohtani remains committed to the sport he loves. He will continue to focus on baseball and give his all on the field. His dedication and hard work are evident in his daily routine.

Each day, Ohtani lays it all on the line, striving to improve his skills and performance. He understands the importance of continuous growth and is willing to put in the effort to achieve his goals. His passion for baseball is infectious, inspiring both his teammates and fans.

Whether it's hitting home runs or pitching with precision, Ohtani's focus on the game is unwavering. He sets an example for other athletes, showing that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

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Longwood Men's Basketball Faces Mary Baldwin on Sunday
2024-12-07
Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia, is set to host Mary Baldwin on Sunday night as part of a thrilling tripleheader at the Joan Perry Brock Center. This busy weekend will feature a total of eight basketball games over four days, with the Lancer men kicking off the action against Maryland Eastern Shore before the women's team hosted the Shirley Duncan Classic. Longwood's depth is evident, as their bench leads the Big South in bench points per game at 33, ranking 26th nationally. Five players average at least eight points per game for the Lancers, adding to their offensive firepower.

Last Time Out: A Comeback Win

In their last game, Longwood erased an early 11-point hole to defeat a hot-shooting Maryland Eastern Shore team that shot better than 60 percent from the floor. Colby Garland scored a career-high 22 points, and Michael Christmas chipped in a 19-point, 10-rebound, five-assist double-double, leading Longwood to an 80-76 victory. The duo of Christmas and Johan Nziemi racked up 11 offensive rebounds, and the Lancers pounded the offensive glass for 19 offensive boards in the contest. Garland went 6-7 from the floor and a perfect 8-8 from the foul line, while Christmas and Nziemi each had 10 rebounds apiece. This offensive rebounding prowess, coupled with forcing 21 turnovers, allowed Longwood to weather the offensive explosion by UMES.Longwood stayed unbeaten at home by erasing the 11-point deficit against Maryland Eastern Shore, improving to 6-0 at the Joan Perry Brock Center this season. Under head coach Griff Aldrich, the Lancers have won at least 10 home games four times in the previous six seasons. Beginning in the 2021-22 season, Aldrich has led Longwood to a remarkable 47-7 record in Farmville. Johan Nziemi and Michael Christmas each grabbed 10 rebounds in a game against December 5 against Maryland Eastern Shore, becoming the first teammates to each post at least 10 boards in a game since Christmas and Szymon Zapala accomplished the feat to open the 2023-24 season at St. Bonaventure. Longwood has boarded at least 40 percent of its own misses three times this season, including in back-to-back games. The Lancers have also outshot their opponents from the foul line in nine of the 10 games they have played this season, and they are 7-2 in such contests. Longwood ranks second in the Big South in free throw attempts (26.6) and makes per game (20.1), and the team is also second in the league in free throw percentage (75.6). The Lancers rank 15th nationally in free throw attempts per game and seventh nationally in makes. Longwood's defense has forced at least 20 turnovers in a game three times. The Lancers rank first in the Big South in turnover margin (+4.3), and the team is second in turnovers forced per game (16.9), which ranks 13th in the nation. Longwood also leads the Big South in fastbreak points per game (14.8).

Series History: A Dominant Rivalry

In the only meeting between Longwood and Mary Baldwin in 2022, Longwood won 112-60. Five players scored in double figures in the game for Longwood, and the Lancers ripped off better than 50 points in each half. Among the returners, Michael Christmas had 12 points in that game, and Leslie Nkereuwem had 15 points to lead the Lancers. Longwood holds an all-time record of 1-0 against Mary Baldwin under Coach Aldrich and has a current winning streak of 1.

Stats Comparison: A Closer Look

In the 2024-25 season, Longwood has a record of 8-2 with 77.9 points per game and a scoring margin of +8.5. Mary Baldwin has a 4-3 record with 79.3 points per game and a scoring margin of +1.1. In terms of rebounds, Longwood averages 35.2 rebounds per game with an offensive rebounding margin of +3.2, while Mary Baldwin has 31.7 rebounds per game and a negative rebounding margin of -6.1. Longwood's field goal percentage is.447 compared to Mary Baldwin's.449. The 3-point percentages are.288 for Longwood and.368 for Mary Baldwin. Longwood makes 6 3-point field goals per game compared to Mary Baldwin's 9.7. In free throw percentage,.756 for Longwood and.644 for Mary Baldwin. Longwood makes 20.1 free throws per game while Mary Baldwin makes 9.6. In terms of assists, both teams have 12.7 per game. Longwood has 12.6 turnovers per game and forces 16.8 turnovers, while Mary Baldwin has 10.6 turnovers and forces 17.4 turnovers. Longwood's assist/turnover ratio is 1, and Mary Baldwin's is 1.2. In steals, Longwood has 8.2 and Mary Baldwin has 10. Blocked shots are 2.8 for Longwood and 1.4 for Mary Baldwin.#GoWood #HorsePower
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