Continuing with the theme from yesterday, I present the updated list of Top 50 Minnesota Twins pitchers seasons by VORP, including updates from 2006 and 2007. This time, however, there really are updates from both seasons. After the jump, you have the list.
Comments on the original list are here.
| NUM | NAME | YEAR | G | GS | IP | H9 | BB9 | SO9 | HR9 | ERA | RA | VORP | BABIP | FIP |
| 1 | Johan Santana | 2004 | 34 | 34 | 228.0 | 6.16 | 2.13 | 10.46 | 0.95 | 2.57 | 2.72 | 89.9 | 0.252 | 2.03 |
| 2 | Frank Viola | 1987 | 36 | 36 | 251.7 | 8.23 | 2.36 | 7.05 | 1.04 | 2.90 | 3.25 | 82.2 | 0.276 | 3.40 |
| 3 | Bert Blyleven | 1973 | 40 | 40 | 325.0 | 8.20 | 1.86 | 7.14 | 0.44 | 2.52 | 3.02 | 82 | 0.296 | 2.28 |
| 4 | Johan Santana | 2006 | 34 | 34 | 234 | 7.16 | 1.8 | 9.44 | 0.9 | 2.77 | 3 | 79.6 | 0.273 | 3.03 |
| 5 | Frank Viola | 1988 | 35 | 35 | 255.3 | 8.32 | 1.90 | 6.80 | 0.70 | 2.82 | 2.82 | 73.1 | 0.288 | 2.79 |
| 6 | Johan Santana | 2005 | 33 | 33 | 231.7 | 6.99 | 1.75 | 9.25 | 0.85 | 2.87 | 2.99 | 73 | 0.265 | 2.12 |
| 7 | Joe Mays | 2001 | 34 | 34 | 233.7 | 7.90 | 2.47 | 4.74 | 0.96 | 3.16 | 3.35 | 71.5 | 0.249 | 4.10 |
| 8 | Kevin Tapani | 1991 | 34 | 34 | 244.0 | 8.30 | 1.48 | 4.98 | 0.85 | 3.10 | 3.10 | 66.9 | 0.266 | 3.43 |
| 9 | Brad Radke | 1999 | 33 | 33 | 218.7 | 9.84 | 1.81 | 4.98 | 1.15 | 3.75 | 3.99 | 65.7 | 0.299 | 4.01 |
| 10 | Jerry Koosman | 1979 | 37 | 36 | 263.7 | 9.15 | 2.83 | 5.36 | 0.65 | 3.38 | 3.69 | 64.6 | 0.303 | 3.61 |
| 11 | Camilo Pascual | 1963 | 31 | 31 | 248.3 | 7.43 | 2.94 | 7.32 | 0.76 | 2.46 | 2.75 | 59.8 | 0.266 | 3.16 |
| 12 | Brad Radke | 2004 | 33 | 33 | 214.7 | 9.35 | 1.01 | 5.91 | 0.96 | 3.48 | 3.77 | 59.6 | 0.296 | 3.07 |
| 13 | Bert Blyleven | 1974 | 37 | 37 | 281.0 | 7.81 | 2.47 | 7.98 | 0.45 | 2.66 | 3.17 | 58.1 | 0.294 | 2.29 |
| 14 | Dave Goltz | 1977 | 39 | 39 | 303.0 | 8.44 | 2.70 | 5.52 | 0.68 | 3.36 | 3.83 | 57.9 | 0.278 | 3.54 |
| 15 | Johan Santana | 2007 | 33 | 33 | 219.0 | 7.52 | 2.14 | 9.66 | 1.36 | 3.33 | 3.62 | 57.7 | 0.275 | 3.73 |
| 16 | Jim Kaat | 1962 | 39 | 35 | 269.0 | 8.13 | 2.51 | 5.79 | 0.77 | 3.14 | 3.55 | 57.3 | 0.273 | 3.50 |
| 17 | Bert Blyleven | 1975 | 35 | 35 | 275.7 | 7.15 | 2.74 | 7.61 | 0.78 | 3.00 | 3.40 | 57.3 | 0.263 | 3.01 |
| 18 | Camilo Pascual | 1962 | 34 | 33 | 257.7 | 8.24 | 2.06 | 7.20 | 0.87 | 3.32 | 3.49 | 56.9 | 0.282 | 2.97 |
| 19 | Jim Perry | 1969 | 46 | 36 | 261.7 | 8.39 | 2.27 | 5.26 | 0.62 | 2.82 | 2.99 | 56.6 | 0.276 | 3.35 |
| 20 | Frank Viola | 1984 | 35 | 35 | 257.7 | 7.86 | 2.55 | 5.20 | 0.98 | 3.21 | 3.53 | 56.2 | 0.25 | 4.02 |
| 21 | Dave Goltz | 1978 | 29 | 29 | 220.3 | 8.54 | 2.74 | 4.74 | 0.49 | 2.49 | 2.94 | 55.2 | 0.282 | 3.55 |
| 22 | Brad Radke | 2000 | 34 | 34 | 226.7 | 10.36 | 2.03 | 5.60 | 1.07 | 4.45 | 4.73 | 53.5 | 0.315 | 3.78 |
| 23 | Jack Kralick | 1961 | 33 | 33 | 242.0 | 9.56 | 2.38 | 5.13 | 0.78 | 3.61 | 3.76 | 53.2 | 0.303 | 3.67 |
| 24 | Bert Blyleven | 1987 | 37 | 37 | 267.0 | 8.39 | 3.40 | 6.61 | 1.55 | 4.01 | 4.45 | 52.7 | 0.267 | 4.75 |
| 25 | Brad Radke | 1997 | 35 | 35 | 239.7 | 8.94 | 1.80 | 6.53 | 1.05 | 3.87 | 4.28 | 52 | 0.29 | 3.34 |
| 26 | Doug Corbett | 1980 | 73 | 0 | 136.3 | 6.73 | 2.77 | 5.88 | 0.46 | 1.98 | 2.05 | 51.9 | 0.248 | 3.14 |
| 27 | Allan Anderson | 1988 | 30 | 30 | 202.3 | 8.85 | 1.65 | 3.69 | 0.62 | 3.11 | 3.11 | 51.4 | 0.278 | 3.60 |
| 28 | Brad Radke | 1996 | 35 | 35 | 232.0 | 8.96 | 2.21 | 5.74 | 1.55 | 4.46 | 4.85 | 51.2 | 0.268 | 4.51 |
| 29 | Johan Santana | 2003 | 45 | 18 | 158.3 | 7.22 | 2.67 | 9.61 | 0.97 | 3.07 | 3.18 | 51.1 | 0.274 | 2.58 |
| 30 | Francisco Liriano | 2006 | 28 | 16 | 121 | 6.62 | 2.4 | 10.7 | 0.7 | 2.16 | 2.3 | 51 | 0.285 | 2.58 |
| 31 | Bert Blyleven | 1971 | 37 | 37 | 271.3 | 8.69 | 1.92 | 7.13 | 0.70 | 2.82 | 3.08 | 50.5 | 0.306 | 2.69 |
| 32 | John Smiley | 1992 | 34 | 34 | 241.0 | 7.66 | 2.43 | 6.09 | 0.63 | 3.47 | 3.47 | 49.7 | 0.266 | 3.16 |
| 33 | Brad Radke | 2001 | 33 | 33 | 226.0 | 9.36 | 1.04 | 5.46 | 0.96 | 3.94 | 4.18 | 48.3 | 0.299 | 3.23 |
| 34 | Camilo Pascual | 1961 | 35 | 33 | 252.3 | 7.31 | 3.57 | 7.88 | 0.93 | 3.46 | 4.07 | 47.1 | 0.256 | 3.50 |
| 35 | Jim Kaat | 1966 | 41 | 41 | 304.0 | 8.01 | 1.63 | 6.06 | 0.86 | 2.75 | 3.37 | 46.8 | 0.263 | 3.15 |
| 36 | Scott Erickson | 1991 | 32 | 32 | 204.0 | 8.34 | 3.13 | 4.76 | 0.57 | 3.53 | 3.53 | 46 | 0.275 | 3.83 |
| 37 | Jack Morris | 1991 | 35 | 35 | 246.7 | 8.25 | 3.36 | 5.95 | 0.66 | 3.90 | 3.90 | 45.4 | 0.281 | 3.66 |
| 38 | Mike Marshall | 1979 | 90 | 1 | 142.7 | 8.33 | 3.03 | 5.11 | 0.50 | 2.65 | 2.96 | 45.3 | 0.288 | 3.57 |
| 39 | Jim Perry | 1970 | 40 | 40 | 278.7 | 8.33 | 1.84 | 5.43 | 0.65 | 3.04 | 3.62 | 44.9 | 0.272 | 3.15 |
| 40 | Geoff Zahn | 1978 | 35 | 35 | 252.3 | 9.27 | 2.89 | 3.78 | 0.64 | 3.03 | 3.60 | 44.3 | 0.293 | 4.15 |
| 41 | Eric Milton | 1999 | 34 | 34 | 206.3 | 8.29 | 2.75 | 7.11 | 1.22 | 4.49 | 4.84 | 43.4 | 0.274 | 3.81 |
| 42 | Dick Stigman | 1963 | 33 | 33 | 241.0 | 7.84 | 3.02 | 7.21 | 1.20 | 3.25 | 3.36 | 41.8 | 0.261 | 3.87 |
| 43 | Mike Smithson | 1984 | 36 | 36 | 252.0 | 8.79 | 1.93 | 5.14 | 1.25 | 3.68 | 4.04 | 41.2 | 0.264 | 4.15 |
| 44 | Bert Blyleven | 1986 | 36 | 36 | 271.7 | 8.68 | 1.92 | 7.12 | 1.66 | 4.01 | 4.44 | 41.1 | 0.27 | 4.08 |
| 45 | John Butcher | 1984 | 34 | 34 | 225.0 | 9.68 | 2.12 | 3.32 | 0.72 | 3.44 | 3.92 | 41 | 0.289 | 4.08 |
| 46 | Jim Merritt | 1967 | 37 | 28 | 227.7 | 7.75 | 1.19 | 6.36 | 0.83 | 2.53 | 2.85 | 40.9 | 0.261 | 2.81 |
| 47 | Brad Radke | 1998 | 32 | 32 | 213.7 | 10.03 | 1.81 | 6.15 | 0.97 | 4.30 | 4.59 | 40.8 | 0.32 | 3.36 |
| 48 | Eric Milton | 2001 | 35 | 34 | 220.7 | 9.05 | 2.49 | 6.40 | 1.43 | 4.32 | 4.45 | 40.6 | 0.278 | 4.24 |
| 49 | Dave Goltz | 1979 | 36 | 35 | 250.7 | 10.13 | 2.48 | 4.74 | 0.79 | 4.16 | 4.45 | 40.3 | 0.315 | 3.86 |
| 50 | Bert Blyleven | 1972 | 39 | 38 | 287.3 | 7.74 | 2.16 | 7.14 | 0.69 | 2.73 | 2.91 | 40.1 | 0.278 | 2.78 |
Liriano’s effort was remarkable, considering the number of innings pitched. And for those who think that Johan’s 2007 season was disappointing, consider this: in the 47 year history of the club, only 11 seasons have been better (excepting Johan’s other seasons).
Every once in a while I get the strange notion that something KFAN might be worth listening to on the way home from work... and then I hear some BS like Hartman ripping Johan for having a bad year and I'm cured.
As great as the top end is on this list, the ones that really impress me are Corbett's 1980 season (42 PRAA in 136.3 relief innings) and Mike Marshall's 1979 season (39 PRAA in 142.67 -- and one start? in 90 appearances).
Interesting that Carlos Silva couldn't crack the top50 since he racked up a fair amount of VORP in 3 out of his 4 years as a Twin. I'm guessing he's got 3 seasons that fall in the 51-60 category. SBG, you continuing on with the top40 VORP countdown or are you waiting for Gleeman to start his?
This is just me remembering what I've seen and making totally non-researched guesses, but I don't think Carlos Silva has ever had a season where his VORP was close to 50.
I'm hoping to finish up with the TOP 40 VORP this offseason. I have grandiose plans for the TOP 20, but I'm not finding the time to do the research.
Why? It's not like you have a job or a new house or a kid to think about. We're all very disappointed.
I figured you were on it, and with most of those top20 guys, they've done quite a bit to seperate themselves from the rest of the list meaning even more research. Did you get the spreadsheet I emailed to you yesterday?
I didn't see it until now. I'll comment after I have a chance to see it.
Thanks for sending it to me.
No problem. Anybody see this letter to Sportsguy? Its pretty much 90% fabricated. Its like the Hollywood version of the 1984 Twins. After reading this I feel similar to how I felt after watching Glory Road
Your revamped Levels of Losing to include the 2007 Mets was right on, but I think there should be a side note on that one to include the 1984 Minnesota Twins. The Twins led the division through the entire season behind rookie Kirby Puckett and a patch-work pitching staff led by young lefty Frank Viola, and got the magic number down to two with three games left. Ah, but the Twins had a closer named Ron (expletive) Davis, who had a rare knack for giving up game-losing home runs in the ninth inning. R.D. blew three straight saves against Cleveland in the first three games of a four-game set in Cleveland, when one win would have given the Twins the division title. In the last one, the Twins had a 9-0 lead cut to 9-8 in the ninth, when R.D. serves up a division-title losing grand slam to Jaime Quirk! Come on. Jaime Quirk??!? A couple of years ago, good ol' R.D. was back at the Dome for a reunion weekend and got to throw out the first pitch. The fans booed him. Loudly. Afterward, R.D. gave the greatest quote of his career: "When it's 20 years later and the fans still hate you, now that's charisma."
-- Joel, Windom, Minn.
How about this comment, culled from the PiP:
heh. Cool find, NTR.
Tale of the Tape: The Twins lost their last 6 games that year.
Game 157 at CHISOX: John Butcher and Ed Hodge combined to allow 7 runs in the second, Twins lose 8-4
Game 158 at CHISOX: Ken Schrom gives up 5 runs on 5 hits in the 3rd, Twins lose 9-3
Game 159 at CLE (att: 3,752!): RD replaces Smithson with no outs and a man on first with the Twins leading 3-1 in the 8th. Walk, sacrifice, GO to score a run, single and E4 to score the tying run, walk, fly out to end the 8th. In the 9th, two Ks, then the Quirk walkoff.
Game 160 at CLE (att: 6,106): Twins lead 10-0 going into the bottom of the second and 10-2 going into the bottom of the 6th with Frankie V cruising. In the 6th: Carter fly out, Thornton HR, single, single, walk, single, K, Brett Butler double, Rick Lysander replaces Frankie, E5, walk, single, fly out. 7 runs on six hits, 2 LOB.
Pete Filson gives up a solo shot to Joe Carter in his second inning of work to tie the game in the 8th. RD enters the tie game in the 9th to face the 6-7-8 hitters. Walk, K, walk; Ed Hodgson replaces RD; single, single, game over.
Game 161 at CLE (att: 7,769 on a saturday): Twins get out to a 3-0 lead in the first, but Butcher can't hold it. Tied 3-3 in the 7th, GO, single, single (runner advances on throw to third), Filson replaces Butcher with runners at 2nd and 3rd; IBB to load the bases, walk, single scores two more; Lysander replaces Filson; FO, GO. Twins trail 6-3, losing 6-4.
Game 162 at CLE (att: 8,239 to see Bert face Ken Schrom): Twins lose 7-4 with Schrom giving up 6 runs in 5.3.
Hodge, btw, was a 26-year old rookie who never again played in the majors. The lefty went back to AAA Toledo in 1985 and had a characteristic 4.50 ERA season (152 innings). In 1986, he split time between Toledo and Richmond (ATL's AAA franchise -- after getting released?)
It was game 160 that mathematically eliminated the Twins that season. Viola and a 10-0 lead... and it didn't hold up. But, yes, no Jamie Quirk grand slam. And no one win would have clinched. What isn't mentioned, though, is that Joe Morgan got his first major league hit in that game.
We are not worthy, Boss!
It still boggles my mind how Joe Mays was so good in 2001.
I guess that fluke BABIP helps quite a bit.
Poor Mays... he was a victim of the 2001 All-Star jinx... himself, Guzman and Eric Milton. Those guys are now as far from All-Star as you can get, although Guzman did put up a .328/.380/.466 line in 46 games this year but I'm going to chalk that up to sample size error.
I just don't understand how Mays was so good in 2001.
He didn't do one thing outstanding...it's not like he was a ground ball machine as he averaged 1.28 ground balls per flyball out...while that's a OK rate, it's not like he was making up for his 4.74 K/9 rate.
Fluke years...I guess they do happen...because boy, he was god awful after that.
Well, he had injuries, including a TJ surgery that he never really recovered from. The Twins handed him a $20 million contract based on that one year (and like you say, he had unimpressive peripherals). Perhaps Bill Smith will look at those numbers before handing out eight figure contracts.
Find it hard to believe that Mudcat Grant's '65 campaign didn't make the list.
Grant was at 37.5 VORP. I've wondered before if VORP overvalues more recent pitchers.
Wider variance in the post-mound lowering, steroid-fueled era???
Small parks, harder ball, etc. and so forth. I think it's true.
plus rapid expansion and the demise of the lower minors (B, C, D) in the 1960s?
and, perhaps, the growth of specialization in bullpens (so more short outings by starters more? of which are really bad or really good outings instead of being allowed to regress back toward the mean??).
I wish I was a live to watch Bert Blyeven pitch. Maybe FSN should dig up some old games and air them in the off season.
Or, you know, package them on a DVD set with some Viola starts and maybe a coupla others...
That sort of thing can be kind of a Big Deal...
I wish I was a live to watch Bert Blyeven pitch
Don't. Cause then you'd be old. Like Bert. And many of the WGOM Moustache Petes.
*covers mustache*
I remember Bert from all the way back. Particularly his biting his tongue out the side of his mouth as he delivered.
Personally I liked Jim Kaat better, probably because he was such a d@mned good fielder. And those Fielding Grammy's he got were earned, at least most of them.
The person I wish I could have watched was Camilo Pascual. I know him by reputation only. He was really pretty decent, and he sure racked up the K's.
I believe the tongue thing was only on the curveball, and it was still unhittable. Still the best curveball I've ever seen, by a wide margin. Bert was all arms and legs and heart. A great big-game pitcher.
I only know Jim Kaat because he was in the broadcast booth.
Maybe its broadcasting rights or just cant find any useable footage is the reason stations dont replay vintage baseball games