Statcast: Great technology to isolate the variety of ingredients that make up a great play

http://m.mlb.com/video/v36800753

This technology allows a great isolation look at some of the small details that make a play great.

Great base-running by Duffy as well as what I would refer to as a "masterpiece, work of art AB" by Joe Panik. He started the count 0-2 facing Rosenthal and just spat on two borderline 98 MPH heaters at the bottom of the strike zone and then one heater busting in on the hands -- where they have been attacking him lately -- to get the count to 3-2 and allow the rolling lead by Duffy.

That kid Panik is going to be a great hitter someday ;)

from Bleacher Report:
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/df8KK?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=san-francisco-giants

Statcast tracking technology has provided a whole new way of analyzing the postseason, and Game 2 of the National League Championship Series between the Giants and Cardinals on Sunday night gave us plenty of fodder. In one of the wilder plays of an already wild 2014 postseason, Giants pinch-runner Matt Duffyraced all the way home from second base on a wild pitch to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning.

With the Giants trailing by a run and down to their final out, Duffy represented the potential tying run at second base. Juan Perez was also at first base as Joe Panik awaited a 3-2 pitch from Cardinals closer Trevor Rosenthal.

The full count allowed Duffy, who Statcast shows extended his lead to a full 10 feet as Rosenthal went into his delivery, to break for third base on the pitch. Duffy accelerated to full speed in just 1.76 seconds, then rounded third and raced toward home, reaching a top speed of 20.3 mph as he barreled toward the plate.

The ground-breaking Statcast technology demonstrates how Duffy's sizable lead, quick acceleration, perfect baserunning angles and 20-plus mph speed over the last 90 feet allowed him to slide in just ahead of the throw, tying the game at 4.Kolten Wong's walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth that gave St. Louis a 5-4 win could make Duffy's dash an eventual footnote, but it's not every day you see someone score from second on a wild pitch.