Home Run Rate Proves Justin Verlander's Totally Justified in Complaining About Juiced Baseballs
By Parker White
Justin Verlander has been a topic of conversation this week during MLB's All-Star break, as he harshly criticized the league and alleged that its baseballs are juiced to increase offensive production.
Verlander was chewed out by MLB "chief baseball officer" Joe Torre for his comments, but he's ultimately justified in his complaining because these changes to the baseballs have substantially affected his numbers this season despite still being one of the best pitchers in the game.
If you’re wondering why Justin Verlander might be so upset about the baseballs, consider this:
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) July 10, 2019
In 2019, Verlander has given up a higher percentage of his runs allowed via the long ball than any other pitcher in major league history. And he’s lapping the field. (1/2) https://t.co/qmggtkh0JV
Verlander is the only player in baseball HISTORY to give up a higher percentage of his runs on homers versus non-homers in a given season. Just over 60% of the runs JV allows this season are on long balls, truly a stunning stat.
The highest ratios of HR/R allowed by a pitcher in a season, minimum 100 innings:
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) July 10, 2019
1. Justin Verlander, 2019, .605
2. Wes Stock, 1964, .500
3. Clayton Kershaw, 2017, .469
4. Dave Boswell, 1965, .465
5. John Candelaria, 1977, .453
It's not even close. (2/2)
When Verlander gives up runs, it's usually because a hitter went deep. That's dizzying stuff, so you can understand why he's being a little sensitive on this topic. It's perhpaps the most compelling evidence available that something was done to the baseballs the MLB uses in order to jack up power numbers.