From the description this definitely sounds like a big step forward for stat-heads, scouts, and sabermetrically-oriented fans alike, and it's interesting to get a window into the new stats that some believe will increasingly be bandied about sites like this one (read the last sentence re: "effective velocity" and "spin rates"). But being only an aspiring sabermetrician, and barely one at that, I must defer to others to assess how important a development this is likely to be — Paul!!??!
Of course, I also like it because their example of the kind of pitcher whose previously-confounding effectiveness can now finally be explained is…wait for it…Dave Robertson! I know, I know – you were all wondering how it is that he dominates the way he does.
it would be interesting to see this analysis applied to the gyroball ;-)
The analysis would show it stinks.
Someone please make sure SF is nowhere near that gun-shop…