Do left handed pitchers get more runners out trying to steal second base or do righties have the numbers?

Answer 1

Lefties are facing first base when they pitch from the stretch, so they have a natural advantage over right-handers in pickoffs and keeping the runner close.

I remember one year in the '70's, Phillies lefthander Steve Carlton picked off 16 runners. That's a LOT for one season.

Answer 2

It really depends on how good the pitcher is at controlling the run game. If he is quick to the plate (1.3 sec. or better) and changes his looks and tempo to the plate, then they will have success at shutting down the run game.

Lefties do have advantage because they can see them and sometimes runners can't get good jumps because of their deliveries. But there are some that are really bad at it and they are even easier to steal off of than a righty because they get lazy.

Andy Pettitte has one of the best pick off moves in the game, because of this it is hard for baserunners to steal because they are leary of the move.

Some lefties are "like a book", meaning they will look at the runner and go to the plate and then look at the plate throw over to first. These guys are real easy to steal off of because it is real easy to read them off of their first move and they usually take longer to get the ball to the plate.

Best thing to do for both righties and lefties is to change up the timing and the looks, then the runner will never get a consistent read and can't time the pitchers. I.e., come set and hold the ball for a second and throw the pitch, then come set and hold the ball for 3 seconds and throw a pitch. The more a pitcher changes his rythm the harder it is for runners to get good jumps.

Answer 3

It depends.....the catcher plays a huge factor too. If you have ivan rodriguez behind the plate, it wouldnt matter if the pitcher was a lefty or righty, cuz you would still catch guys steeling second.....and a pitcher can have an excellent pickoff move, but if victor martinez is the catcher, they can steal all day.....but numbers wise, i would say the stats lean towards lefties b/c they do have the built in advantage of being able to see the runner for longer.

Answer 4

In softball, the shortstop consistently covers 2nd on an tried scouse borrow no depend which area of the plate a batter is hitting from through fact if a lefty is up, the 2nd baseman has to have the potential to disguise first in a bunt undertaking and additionally be waiting for the p.c..-off if the 1st baseman is taking part in closer to residing house for the bunt. the only time the shortstop does not disguise 2nd is interior the slap bunt protection whilst the middle fielder might disguise the bag after the ball is hit and shortstop, taking part in deep, covers third at the same time as the third baseman is up for the available bunt. additionally, if there's a runner on third, many communities might have 1st and third performs with the intention to capture the runner at third off shield for the out, frequently no longer in touch in regards to the runner from 1st working to 2nd. In those circumstances, the two the 2nd basemen or shortstop will disguise 2nd finding on which play is being run.

Answer 5

Lefties do. In '06, 3 of the lead 4 pitchers in caught stealing (Zach Duke, Barry Zito, and Paul Maholm) and 5 of the top ten were left-handers, despite lefties making up a minority of starters.

Answer 6

Leftys because a lefty can pick off at first while in his motion so the runner has to be on more of a delay

Answer 7

Lefty's get more runners stealing to second, yet not third

Answer 8

A LEFTY CAN HOLD THE RUNNER ON 1ST BASE BETTER BECAUSE HE IS FACING THE BASE.

Answer 9

Depends on speed of Runner, speed of pitch, strength of Catcher, and also reaction of defese.

Answer 10

lefty pitchers do cuz they can see better in 2nd base