Statheads believe that despite the recent surge in metrics and tools to evaluate and assess pitching performance in MLB, K/BB ratio is the best indicative of future success.
Yes: ERA does not always tell the complete story.
If you want to have a better idea of how dominant a pitcher is, look at his K/BB ratio.
A hurler who can strike out a lot of hitters and keep his walk count low will be better positioned to have future success than a guy with a 3.00 ERA in a vacuum.
The strikeout ability suggest bat-missing prowess, excellent command, or both; while the low walk totals can help a pitcher avoid putting too many runners on base on self-inflicted damage, thus improving his run-prevention stills.
This is the case with Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola.
Nola has been one of the most underrated pitcher in baseball for years.
The Ever-Consistent Nola Is Showing His Dominance
His ERA finishes are not always elite, but he is also among the pitchers with more strikeouts and fewer bases on balls.
He is leading MLB in the important K/BB category.
“MLB K/BB leaders: 8.3 – Aaron Nola (PHI); 7.4 – Kevin Gausman (TOR); 6.8 – Corey Kluber (TB); 6.1 – Shane McClanahan (TB); 5.9 – Justin Verlander (HOU),” MLB Network tweeted.
MLB K/BB leaders:
8.3 – Aaron Nola (PHI)
7.4 – Kevin Gausman (TOR)
6.8 – Corey Kluber (TB)
6.1 – Shane McClanahan (TB)
5.9 – Justin Verlander (HOU) pic.twitter.com/F1ct3UkOlX— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 7, 2022
Basically, Nola stikes out more than eight hitters for every walk he concedes.
That’s unbelievable.
He is comfortably ahead of Gausman, Kluber, McClanahan, and Verlander.
Most of those names are actually Cy Young candidates in their respective leagues, so yes: striking out a lot of batters and limiting walks is definitely tied to success on the mound.
Let’s see if Nola, who has a solid 3.35 ERA in 177.1 innings this season, can get the love he deserves in the Cy Young voting process.
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