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The move A.J. Hinch executed had little significance in last Saturday's 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, but it showed just how committed the Detroit Tigers' manager is to analytically getting the best possible matchup.
Here was the situation at Comerica Park:
Attempting to protect a 1-0, fourth-inning advantage, White Sox right-handed reliever Tyler Davis walked the bases-loaded, between a pop out and an infield line out. White Sox manager Will Venable called for left-hander Joe Rock to face lefty Kerry Carpenter. When announced, Hinch called back Carpenter in favor of slumping Jahmai Jones.
It's the way the Tigers' roster is constructed. If there's a chance to seize control of a game and Hinch, who tends to make more in-game moves than most managers, senses a way to enhance the scoring opportunity, he'll make a move.
Despite Carpenter remaining as one of the Tigers' top power threats, Hinch wanted a right-handed hitter to face Rock with the bases loaded.
Jones struck out on four pitches. The .138 hitter heard the jeers as he walked back to the home dugout.
The move may not have worked out in the short-term, but the player who replaced Jones, center fielder James Outman went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
Hinch remains one of the MLB's most aggressive managers. His Manager Influence Index rating marked him as the skipper who attempted to impact a game the most through a variety of metrics, including pinch-hitting, line-up changes, defensive positioning, starter hooks and bullpen usage.
Are they the right moves?
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch looks for moves to count
Hinch may make the most moves, drawing an .837 manager influence rating, but his roster's composition drew its challenges during a 6-22 May. The Tigers' hitting against left-handers has been a season-long struggle.
Jones remains the one bench player Hinch needs. To maneuver his way through a matchup, Hinch needs to have confidence in having a quality right-handed hitter on the bench. With the visiting Yankees opening the three-game series with two left-handed starters, the Tigers turned to a little-known minor-leaguer, Ben Malgeri, who chipped in two hits off lefties during his MLB debut Tuesday, a 4-3 defeat.
Like the Jones move last Saturday, many of Hinch's moves this season have not worked out. His Adjusted Manager Decision Success Rate ranked No. 30 (minus-2.01).
With a 47.3 percent decision success rate, Hinch ranked No. 25.
Here are the lowest-ranked managers for managerial moves related to pinch hitting and bullpen moves on a game's win probability:
Rank, Manager (Team), Percentage
- 28, Pat Murphy (MIL), 40.4 percent
- 29, Hinch, 39.8
- 30, Kurt Suzuki (LAA), 38.3
As much as Hinch relies on analytics for his in-game decision-making, the Tigers' organization provides mid-level investments in the department that consists of 15 employees.
Maybe the Tigers should make more moves.
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