51s coach crunches different numbers

A quick look at Jason Lane's batting average of .250 would lead most people to believe the 51s outfielder has struggled at the plate this season.

But based on other "offensive indicators" kept by Las Vegas hitting coach Ken Joyce, Lane has performed quite well.

Joyce considers a player's "hard-hit ball average" and "quality-plate-appearance percentage" to be more important than his batting average or home run total, and Lane has excelled in both categories, with a .361 HHBA and a QPAP of 470.

"Jason Lane is a great example," Joyce said. "His batting average certainly isn't where he wants it to be, but his HHBA has been as good as anybody's all season and his QPAP is as high as anyone's."

Entering Friday's 6-0 loss to Reno at Cashman Field, utilityman Joe Inglett, batting .363, led Las Vegas with a .477 HHBA and .590 QPAP.

Las Vegas second baseman Howie Clark, hitting .313, was second on the squad with a .411 HHBA and .530 QPAP.

Joyce started keeping the statistics when he worked for the Florida Marlins and said many other major league organizations also track them.

In a game predicated on failure, Joyce said the statistics can be a way to boost a player's confidence when he's struggling.

"The idea is to focus on performance over results," he said. "We try to let them understand if you're performing, putting the ball in play consistently hard and squaring balls up, that's a good thing.

"Don't worry about your hard numbers that show up on the scoreboard."

The other night, for example, 51s first baseman Brian Dopirak squared up four balls in five at-bats but finished with only one hit. The next day, he asked Joyce what he was doing wrong.

"I said, 'First of all, having this conversation,' " Joyce said. " 'What are you going to do, change things because you hit balls at people four times? You're trying to do too much. Keep the same approach.' "

A former starter for the Houston Astros, Lane has been heartened at times by his high HHBA and QPAP.

"When your numbers aren't where you want them, it's a good way to get some confidence and feel like you're having some success," said Lane, who is tied for second in the Pacific Coast League in doubles with 37. "I've been frustrated with my numbers. I feel like I'm having good at-bats, but they haven't translated into results.

"But it's helped me, when I've been frustrated, for Kenny to point out (my HHBA and QPAP)."

While it can be difficult to get some players to buy into the stats, unless they're struggling, Joyce said they're a good tool for him to use.

"No offense, but part of my job is to trick these guys into thinking they're the best hitters in the world," he said.

• NOTE -- USA Baseball named 51s outfielder Buck Coats to its 2009 World Cup team, which will play in Europe from Sept. 9 to 27.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.