Welcome
Issue One Hundred And Sixty Three.
The NFL running back position is experiencing a decline in value, leading to fewer top draft picks, with research identifying five distinct clusters of running backs based on their performance and aging patterns. In baseball, distinguishing between Expected wOBA, which evaluates play outcomes, and Predictive wOBA, which assesses player talent, is essential for understanding a batter's potential, while Jim Albert's analysis highlights the importance of considering outliers when estimating home run ability.
This Week's Lineup
Investigating Running Back Archetypes and Player Trajectories – The Harvard Sports Analysis Collective
The NFL running back position is evolving, with a decline in value leading to fewer top draft picks, while analysis of player performance data reveals five distinct clusters of running backs based on their effectiveness and aging trajectories.
Introducing Predictive wOBA
Hitting a 450-foot home run and a 110 mph popup both reflect a batter's talent, with the former showcasing raw power and the latter indicating a near-miss, while distinguishing between Expected wOBA (which assesses play outcomes) and Predictive wOBA (which evaluates player talent) is crucial for understanding a batter's performance potential.
Estimating Home Run Ability By an Outlier Model
Jim Albert revisits his 1992 paper on estimating home run ability using a Poisson random effects model, emphasizing the importance of accounting for outliers and the parabolic nature of players' performance over their careers.
Identifying Fast Passers Using Data
Effective quick and accurate passing is crucial for youth soccer teams to maximize scoring opportunities and maintain possession.
QB ISO Percentage
QB ISO Percentage looks at which quarterbacks are assisted the most by the offense they play in.
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Unexpected Points Added is curated and maintained by Patrick Hayes.
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