Even the most devoted sabermetricians generally acknowledge that to understand the numbers often requires a willingness to look behind the numbers.
A case in point is right-handed pitcher Andrew Moore, recently ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the Mariners’ organization in the TNT Top 10. (And, really, that ranking might be too low, given his achievements.)
The eye test tends to undersell Moore who, at 22, is 6 feet and 195 pounds. More than that, he notably lacks the power velocity normally associated with successful right-handed pitchers in the major leagues.
And yet…
"Andrew has never not pitched well in his entire life," farm director Andy McKay said, "going back to high school, Oregon State, summer baseball and minor-league baseball.