http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pira ... 1506140157
The Pirates are able to track steps taken by their players, both in the field and on the bases. Strength and conditioning coach Brendon Huttmann presents Hurdle with a printout of the data each week and offers his thoughts on which players have worked the hardest.
Technology similar to PITCHf/x allows the Pirates to track batted-ball velocity. They show the relievers the amount of rest that corresponds with when they are most and least effective. They also record their players’ times running to first base during every game.
“You keep those numbers and then sometimes the numbers start going the wrong way, you bring them in,” Hurdle said. “You show them, ‘You look like you’re running as hard as you can run, you’re three-tenths of a second slower getting down to first. I believe there’s some fatigue. What do you think?’ Sometimes that opens up an opportunity for a different conversation.”
The conversation is the other aspect. Hurdle said he waits for a period where the player struggles, brings up what he sees and asks for the player’s impression.
“Through the process of conversation, we’ve gotten where we needed to go,” Hurdle said. “I get these guys to tell me what I believe is the truth.”
Interesting stuff.
