Judge: An introduction to Deserved Run Average values
From Jonathan Judge at Baseball Prospectus on August 26, 2015:
Deserved Run Average (DRA) is, as you know, the new pitcher-value metric here at Baseball Prospectus. DRA reflects our best estimate of the runs each pitcher “deserved” to allow in a given season. The number of deserved runs above or below average is used to calculate BP’s pitcher Wins Above Replacement Player (WARP).
By popular demand, we’ve now extracted the estimated effect, in runs, that various external factors have had on individual pitchers. You can get a direct link from the main site by clicking “DRA Run Values” from the Statistics pull-down menu, or by clicking here.
Overall feedback on DRA has been very positive, and we expect these run values will provide even more insight into the challenges various pitchers have faced. In other words, rather than simply knowing that DRA takes into account things like score differential and temperature, you can now see for yourself how those components have affected (or not affected) individual pitchers.
From the Run Values page, you’ll learn that Zack Greinke has benefited from terrific catcher framing, but also dealt with poor defense. You’ll see that his teammate, Clayton Kershaw, has lost about nine total runs from factors beyond his control, and that Dallas Keuchel has grabbed six free runs, largely from the parks in which he has pitched. You’ll also see a glossary on top of the entire table that briefly explains each column.
Read the full article here (subscription required): http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=27321
Originally published: August 26, 2015. Last Updated: August 26, 2015.