The problem we face is that the two main measurements of overall pitcher ability approach the task from two different directions. Fangraphs WAR (fWAR) bases its number for pitchers on xFIP, a number calculated from a pitcher’s home-runs, walks and strikeouts only. The logic behind this decision is that those are the only three things which are strictly down to the the hitter/batter relationship. If you start looking at hits, runs, earned runs, etc. then those are dependent on how good the defense playing behind them is. If you’re trying to measure how good a pitcher is, you want to avoid that.
2016 Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher of the Year: Nominations open
