| Authored by Christopher Reina - 15th January, 2009 - 2:44 pm
 If you could find a pitcher that struck out batters at a highly efficient clip while simultaneously keeping the bases clear, do you think that he would be successful long-term? Would you expect him to dominate? Would he compete for Cy Young awards?
Those answers should be obvious, and so I created a statistic called SWHIP that essentially combines WHIP with strikeouts per nine innings pitched, and it achieves precisely this.
SWHIP = (Walks + Hits + Hit Batters - Strikeouts) / Innings Pitched
Which pitchers have been the best historically?
By a fairly wide margin, Pedro Martinez has been the most dominant starting pitcher (with at least 1,000 career innings pitched) in terms of SWHIP. His career average of -0.020 is nothing short of utterly extraordinary and well ahead of Randy Johnson's 0.028.
There is an even bigger gap between Johnson and the third ranked Sandy Koufax. But what makes Koufax's presence so high on this list truly extraordinary is how far away he is from the other pitchers of his generation with Sam McDowell and Jim Maloney being his closest peers in SWHIP.
Rube Waddell pitched between 1897 and 1910 and was an extremely (stressing the word extremely) rare type of strikeout pitcher for his era.
Out of the 75 players on this list, 26 pitched in 2008, which includes the injured Jason Schmidtt and the recently retired Mike Mussina and Greg Maddux.
1. Pedro Martinez: -0.020
2. Randy Johnson: 0.028
3. Sandy Koufax: 0.083
4. Johan Santana: 0.094
5. Kerry Wood: 0.168
6. Curt Schilling: 0.198
7. Nolan Ryan: 0.216
8. Jake Peavy: 0.225
9. Sid Fernandez: 0.233
10. Roger Clemens: 0.255
11. John Smoltz: 0.299
12. Josh Beckett: 0.306
13. J.R. Richard: 0.324
14. Rube Waddell: 0.332
15. Sam McDowell: 0.347
16. Mario Soto: 0.365
17. David Cone: 0.372
18. Tom Seaver: 0.376
19. Ben Sheets: 0.378
20. A.J. Burnett: 0.399
21. Hideo Nomo: 0.403
22. Jim Maloney: 0.410
23. Roy Oswalt: 0.411
24. Javier Vazquez: 0.411
25. Bob Gibson: 0.412
26. Mike Mussina: 0.419
27. Jose Rijo: 0.423
28. Joe Wood: 0.431
29. Andy Messersmith: 0.433
30. CC Sabathia: 0.435
31. Ron Guidry: 0.446
32. Bob Veale: 0.451
33. Ferguson Jenkins: 0.451
34. Juan Marichal: 0.456
35. Jose DeLeon: 0.456
36. Jason Schmidt: 0.460
37. Dave Boswell: 0.461
38. Jim Bunning: 0.462
39. Steve Carlton: 0.464
40. Dwight Gooden: 0.465
41. Brandon Webb: 0.466
42. Don Drysdale: 0.468
43. Teddy Higuera: 0.470
44. Mickey Lolich: 0.475
45. Don Sutton: 0.481
46. Bert Blyleven: 0.485
47. Orlando Hernandez: 0.488
48. Carlos Zambrano: 0.491
49. Ted Lilly: 0.493
50. Bret Saberhagen: 0.494
51. Denny McLain: 0.497
52. Greg Maddux: 0.497
53. Don Wilson: 0.505
54. Mike Scott: 0.507
55. Aaron Harang: 0.511
56. Luis Tiant: 0.520
57. Roy Halladay: 0.524
58. Dean Chance: 0.528
59. Kevin Brown: 0.529
60. Andy Benes: 0.535
61. Sonny Siebert: 0.536
62. Kevin Millwood: 0.538
63. Mark Langston: 0.538
64. Gaylord Perry: 0.540
65. Harvey Haddix: 0.547
66. Melido Perez: 0.550
67. Juan Guzman: 0.552
68. Brett Myers: 0.553
69. Sam Jones: 0.553
70. Shane Reynolds: 0.554
71. Kevin Appier: 0.556
72. Randy Wolf: 0.557
73. John Lackey: 0.557
74. Al Downing 0.560
75. Dazzy Vance: 0.567
Who has had historical single seasons?
1. Pedro Martinez, 2000: -0.507
2. Pedro Martinez, 1999: -0.502
3. Randy Johnson, 2001: -0.409
4. Sam McDowell, 1968: -0.305
5. Randy Johnson, 1995: -0.299
6. Pedro Martinez, 1997: -0.294
7. Randy Johnson, 1999: -0.288
8. Sandy Koufax, 1965: -0.268
9. Randy Johnson, 1997: -0.268
10. Randy Johnson, 2000: -0.254
11. Randy Johnson, 2004: -0.241
12. Curt Schilling, 2002: -0.239
13. Randy Johnson, 2002: -0.204
14. Johan Santana, 2004: -0.202
15. Pedro Martinez, 2002: -0.201
16. Curt Schilling, 1997: -0.189
17. Dwight Gooden, 1984: -0.183
18. Mike Scott, 1986: -0.182
19. Hideo Nomo, 1995: -0.152
20. Andy Messersmith, 1969: -0.148
21. Nolan Ryan, 1991: -0.139
22. Luis Tiant, 1968: -0.136
23. Nolan Ryan, 1989: -0.134
24. Sandy Koufax, 1962: -0.125
25. Kerry Wood, 1998: -0.120
26. Nolan Ryan, 1987: -0.118
27. Ben Sheets, 2004: -0.114
28. Randy Johnson, 1998: -0.107
29. Sandy Koufax, 1963: -0.100
30. Erik Bedard, 2007: -0.099
31. Curt Schilling, 2003: -0.089
32. John Smoltz, 1996: -0.079
33. Sandy Koufax, 1964: -0.072
34. Nolan Ryan, 1990: -0.069
35. Curt Schilling, 2001: -0.062
36. Johan Santana, 2005: -0.052
37. Tom Seaver, 1971: -0.049
38. Johan Santana, 2006: -0.034
39. Greg Maddux, 1995: -0.033
40. Sam McDowell, 1965: -0.033
41. Randy Johnson, 1993: -0.031
42. Roger Clemens, 1997: -0.030
43. Roger Clemens, 1998: -0.030
44. Jason Schmidt, 2004: -0.027
45. Jason Schmidt, 2003: -0.024
46. Roger Clemens, 1988: -0.023
47. Oliver Perez, 2004: -0.020
48. Pedro Martinez, 2003: -0.016
49. Mark Prior, 2003: -0.014
50. Sonny Siebert, 1965: -0.005
51. Bob Gibson, 1968: -0.003
52. Vida Blue, 1971: 0.000
53. Sandy Koufax, 1966: 0.003
54. Dwight Gooden, 1985: 0.004
55. Pedro Martinez, 2005: 0.009
56. Curt Schilling, 1998: 0.011
57. Mario Soto, 1982: 0.012
58. Jake Peavy, 2007: 0.013
59. Nolan Ryan, 1972: 0.014
60. Jake Peavy, 2005: 0.015
61. Johan Santan, 2007: 0.018
62. J.R. Richard, 1979: 0.027
63. Tim Lincecum, 2008: 0.031
64. Kerry Wood, 2003: 0.033
65. Randy Johnson, 1994: 0.035
66. Ron Guidry, 1978: 0.044
67. Roger Clemens, 1986: 0.047
68. David Cone, 1990: 0.047
69. Jim Maloney, 1963: 0.048
70. Pedro Martinez, 1998: 0.051
71. Sid Fernandez, 1985: 0.059
72. Nolan Ryan, 1986: 0.062
73. Sam McDowell, 1966: 0.067
74. Kerry Wood, 2001: 0.069
75. Nolan Ryan, 1973: 0.074
For the sake of context, here is the top-10 in career K/9 for starting pitchers with at least 1,000 innings on the books and a WHIP under 1.300.
1. Randy Johnson: 10.67
2. Kerry Wood: 10.39
3. Pedro Martinez: 10.08
4. Nolan Ryan: 9.55
5. Sandy Koufax: 9.28
6. Johan Santana: 9.26
7. Jake Peavy: 8.96
8. Curt Schilling: 8.60
9. Josh Beckett: 8.56
10. Roger Clemens: 8.55
- One area in which the SWHIP can be especially effective is identifying outstanding promising prospects in the minors. Not surprisingly, there are quite a few names below that have become household, some that became Cy Youngs, many that flamed out due to injuries or a host of other factors, and one improbable name of Rick Ankiel.
SWHIP Leaders of the Minors By Year
2008
1. Ozzie Rodriguez: -0.341
2. Santo Luis: -0.250
3. Madison Bumgarner: -0.227
4. Thomas Hanson: -0.188
5. Netfali Feliz: -0.102
6. Wilkins De la Rosa: -0.085
7. Trevor Cahill: -0.081
8. Derek Holland: -0.040
9. Michael McCardell: -0.030
10. Victor Garate: -0.026
2007
1. Joba Chamberlain: -0.522
2. Clay Bucholz: -0.392
3. Fautino De Los Santos: -0.336
4. Ian Kennedy: -0.151
5. Jacob McGee: -0.129
6. Mark DiFelice: -0.105
7. Gio Gonzalez: -0.080
8. James McDonald: -0.075
9. Clayton Kershaw: -0.057
10. Edinson Volquez: -0.055
2006
1. Rich Hill: -0.520
2. Paul Estrada: -0.404
3. William Inman: -0.315
4. Philip Hughes: -0.288
5. Matt Garza: -0.259
6. Yovani Gallardo: -0.213
7. Kevin Slowey: -0.182
8. Clay Bucholz: -0.160
9. Alexander Smit: -0.102
10. Homer Bailey: -0.050
2005
1. Rich Hill: -0.453
2. Chuck James: -0.335
3. Radhams Liz: -0.276
4. Justin Verlander: -0.245
5. Alexander Smit: -0.179
6. Francisco Liriano: -0.167
7. Joey Zumaya: -0.146
8. Gio Gonzalez: -0.145
9. Tyler Clippard: -0.130
10. Troy Patton: -0.092
2004
1. Yusmeiro Petit: -0.540
2. Jeff Francis: -0.381
3. Chuck Tiffany: -0.250
4. Anthony Reyes: -0.229
5. Brandon McCartney: -0.221
6. Travis Chick: -0.150
7. Chuck James: -0.120
8. Kyle Davies: -0.113
9. Thomas Pauly: -0.107
10. Jonathan Papelbon: -0.100
2003
1. Cole Hamels: -0.465
2. John Maine: -0.384
3. Joel Zumaya: -0.211
4. Scott Kazmir: -0.202
5. Rich Hill: -0.103
6. Joe Blanton: -0.101
7. Chin-hui Tsao: -0.097
8. Neal Cotts: -0.093
9. Brandon McCarthy: -0.050
10. Lenny DiNardo: -0.024
2002
1. Francisco Rosario: -0.162
2. Jesse Fopper: -0.086
3. Travis Blackley: -0.050
4. Luke Robertson: -0.033
5. Cory Stewart: -0.016
6. Andy Boutwell: 0.025
7. Rich Harden: 0.033
8. Clint Nageotte: 0.042
9. Tyler Johnson: 0.050
10. Ryan Cameron: 0.050
2001
1. Rick Ankiel: -0.901
2. Josh Beckett: -0.621
3. Jake Peavy: -0.361
4. Erik Bedard: -0.353
5. Dennis Tankersley: -0.294
6. Boof Bonser: -0.194
7. Tim Redding: -0.194
8. Rafael Soriano: -0.109
9. Nick Neugebauer: -0.076
10. Matt Smith: -0.061
2000
1. Chin-hui Taso: -0.193
2. Ryan Baerlocher: -0.121
3. Ryan Anderson: -0.077
4. Christian Parra: -0.057
5. Jovanny Cedeno: -0.038
6. Jake Peavy: -0.030
7. Jon Rauch: 0.000
8. Justin Reid: 0.000
9. Roy Osawalt: 0.017
10. Dave Williams: 0.022
1999
1. Rick Ankiel: -0.248
2. Mike Meyers: -0.243
3. John Stephens: -0.200
4. Jason Norton: -0.118
5. Winston Abreu: -0.072
6. Eric Gagne: 0.006
7. Scott Sobkowiak: 0.014
8. Scott Cassidy: 0.018
9. Rene Vega: 0.021
10. Edwin Gonzalez: 0.023
1998
1. A.J. Burnett: -0.563
2. Rick Ankiel: -0.410
3. Clayton Andrews: -0.216
4. Brad Penny: -0.207
5. Alan Webb: -0.198
6. John Sneed: -0.179
7. Ryan Bradley: -0.118
8. Luke Prkopec: -0.096
9. Octavio Dotel: -0.060
10. Courtney Duncan: -0.049
1997
1. Joel Bennett: -0.150
2. Paul Ah Yat: -0.130
3. Bruce Chen: -0.123
4. Ramon Ortiz: -0.088
5. Brian Fuentes: -0.084
6. Ted Lilly: -0.074
7. Stephen Shoemaker: -0.006
8. Ted Rose: 0.023
9. Javier Vazquez: 0.039
10. Matt Clement: 0.101
1996
1. Mike Villano: -0.450
2. Britt Reames: -0.180
3. Nelson Figueroa: -0.124
4. Elvin Hernandez: -0.095
5. Curt Lyions: -0.077
6. Octavio Dotel: -0.035
7. Ethan McEntire: -0.034
8. Randy Knoll: -0.012
9. Cliff Pilitte: 0.027
10. Matt Beech: 0.027
1995
1. Josh Bishop: -0.427
2. Scott Gardner: -0.230
3. Bartolo Colon: -0.171
4. Marino Santana: -0.110
5. Jason Isringhausen: -0.063
6. Glendon Rusch: -0.018
7. Paul Wilson: -0.011
8. Amaury Telemaco: 0.020
9. Larry Wimberly: 0.030
10. Joe Atwater: 0.077
1994
1. Jay Witasick: -0.223
2. John Ericks: -0.110
3. Tony Runion: -0.101
4. Billy Wagner: -0.092
5. Jim Musselwhite: 0.043
6. Shigeki Noguchi: 0.051
7. Alan Benes: 0.059
8. Rich Pratt: 0.085
9. Juan Acevedo: 0.109
10. Blaine Beatty: 0.138
- Chris Reina is the executive editor of RealGM.com and creator of several statistics such as the Reina Value (measures performance in relation to contract) and the Trench Counter (rates efficiency of football teams) |
