since 2002
Umpire Factors
See how pitcher or hitter-friendly certain home plate umpires actually are. All data goes back to 2000.
| Umpire | Favors | Games | Hits/G | BB/G | SO/G | Vis Score | Home Score | Home Adv | BA | OBP | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryan Additon | Pitchers | 145 | 16.5 | 6.3 | 16.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 0.5 | .244 | .313 | .724 |
| Erich Bacchus | Pitchers | 83 | 15.4 | 6.2 | 16.8 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 0.0 | .233 | .306 | .693 |
| John Bacon | Pitchers | 41 | 16.2 | 6.6 | 17.3 | 5.0 | 4.4 | -0.6 | .241 | .311 | .717 |
| Jordan Baker | neither | 328 | 17.0 | 6.3 | 16.1 | 4.6 | 4.5 | -0.1 | .252 | .321 | .732 |
| Sean Barber | neither | 225 | 17.1 | 6.1 | 16.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .251 | .318 | .733 |
| Lance Barksdale | neither | 701 | 17.3 | 6.1 | 14.2 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 0.6 | .258 | .324 | .738 |
| Lance Barrett | Pitchers | 329 | 16.9 | 5.7 | 16.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.0 | .251 | .313 | .720 |
| Mark Barron | Hitters | 29 | 19.2 | 5.8 | 13.6 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 0.1 | .275 | .336 | .776 |
| Scott Barry | Pitchers | 413 | 17.3 | 5.9 | 15.2 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 0.3 | .256 | .320 | .729 |
| Ted Barrett | neither | 695 | 17.7 | 5.7 | 14.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 0.2 | .259 | .320 | .733 |
| Toby Basner | Pitchers | 81 | 17.0 | 5.8 | 16.5 | 4.8 | 4.5 | -0.3 | .246 | .311 | .701 |
| Adam Beck | Pitchers | 91 | 16.4 | 6.2 | 17.2 | 4.9 | 4.3 | -0.7 | .245 | .315 | .722 |
| Dan Bellino | Pitchers | 416 | 17.0 | 5.8 | 16.4 | 4.4 | 4.7 | 0.3 | .250 | .314 | .719 |
| Wally Bell | neither | 452 | 17.8 | 5.4 | 13.6 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 0.4 | .261 | .319 | .740 |
| Ryan Blakney | Pitchers | 251 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 17.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 0.1 | .241 | .306 | .711 |
| Cory Blaser | Pitchers | 358 | 16.6 | 5.5 | 16.0 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 0.3 | .248 | .309 | .705 |
| Joe Brinkman | Hitters | 169 | 18.3 | 5.9 | 12.6 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 0.1 | .267 | .329 | .756 |
| CB Bucknor | neither | 701 | 17.7 | 5.8 | 14.9 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.3 | .260 | .322 | .740 |
| Angel Campos | neither | 134 | 18.0 | 6.1 | 14.6 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.1 | .263 | .328 | .741 |
| Vic Carapazza | Pitchers | 386 | 16.9 | 5.8 | 16.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 0.0 | .248 | .312 | .713 |
| Mark Carlson | neither | 682 | 17.7 | 6.2 | 14.7 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 0.4 | .259 | .325 | .736 |
| Gary Cederstrom | neither | 611 | 17.7 | 5.9 | 14.2 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.2 | .260 | .324 | .742 |
| Nestor Ceja | Pitchers | 94 | 16.3 | 5.8 | 16.9 | 4.7 | 4.6 | -0.1 | .243 | .309 | .709 |
| Chris Conroy | neither | 328 | 17.5 | 5.8 | 16.2 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .256 | .320 | .737 |
| Eric Cooper | neither | 607 | 17.8 | 5.5 | 14.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 0.0 | .260 | .318 | .733 |
| Derryl Cousins | neither | 384 | 17.6 | 6.8 | 12.9 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | .258 | .329 | .744 |
| Terry Craft | Pitchers | 120 | 17.1 | 5.6 | 12.9 | 4.6 | 4.2 | -0.3 | .253 | .315 | .718 |
| Jerry Crawford | Hitters | 269 | 18.4 | 6.5 | 12.4 | 5.4 | 5.2 | -0.2 | .268 | .336 | .775 |
| Fieldin Culbreth | neither | 627 | 17.5 | 5.9 | 14.2 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.1 | .257 | .320 | .731 |
| Phil Cuzzi | Pitchers | 702 | 17.3 | 5.5 | 15.4 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 0.4 | .254 | .314 | .724 |
| Kerwin Danley | neither | 536 | 17.7 | 5.8 | 14.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.1 | .259 | .321 | .732 |
| Gary Darling | neither | 402 | 18.0 | 5.5 | 13.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .264 | .323 | .742 |
| Bob Davidson | Pitchers | 407 | 17.9 | 5.7 | 14.1 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 0.0 | .260 | .321 | .730 |
| Gerry Davis | neither | 611 | 17.5 | 6.3 | 13.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .258 | .324 | .743 |
| Ramon De Jesus | neither | 187 | 17.1 | 6.5 | 16.7 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 0.1 | .251 | .321 | .732 |
| Dana DeMuth | neither | 533 | 18.0 | 6.0 | 13.7 | 4.9 | 4.7 | -0.2 | .261 | .325 | .738 |
| Laz Diaz | Pitchers | 715 | 17.5 | 5.8 | 14.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .256 | .318 | .730 |
| Mike DiMuro | Pitchers | 412 | 17.6 | 6.0 | 14.0 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 0.0 | .258 | .322 | .729 |
| Adam Dowdy | Hitters | 73 | 18.8 | 5.8 | 13.5 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 0.7 | .273 | .333 | .763 |
| Rob Drake | neither | 653 | 17.4 | 6.0 | 15.1 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .256 | .321 | .734 |
| Bruce Dreckman | Pitchers | 523 | 17.5 | 6.0 | 14.9 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 0.0 | .255 | .321 | .727 |
| Doug Eddings | Pitchers | 723 | 17.3 | 4.9 | 15.5 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 0.1 | .254 | .310 | .716 |
| Paul Emmel | neither | 599 | 17.7 | 5.8 | 14.2 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .259 | .321 | .732 |
| Mike Estabrook | Pitchers | 419 | 17.2 | 5.7 | 16.2 | 4.6 | 4.4 | -0.2 | .252 | .314 | .723 |
| Mike Everitt | neither | 592 | 17.7 | 5.7 | 14.7 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.3 | .258 | .319 | .735 |
| Clint Fagan | neither | 127 | 17.1 | 6.3 | 15.4 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.3 | .253 | .319 | .732 |
| Chad Fairchild | neither | 518 | 17.4 | 6.1 | 15.4 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 0.1 | .254 | .321 | .735 |
| Mike Fichter | Hitters | 94 | 18.0 | 6.4 | 13.5 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | .264 | .332 | .766 |
| Andy Fletcher | neither | 673 | 17.6 | 6.0 | 14.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | -0.1 | .258 | .323 | .734 |
| Marty Foster | neither | 599 | 17.7 | 5.7 | 14.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 0.1 | .257 | .318 | .733 |
| Bruce Froemming | Hitters | 233 | 18.2 | 6.4 | 13.0 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | .266 | .333 | .755 |
| Greg Gibson | neither | 631 | 17.7 | 6.4 | 14.2 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 0.0 | .259 | .327 | .744 |
| Tripp Gibson | Pitchers | 292 | 16.7 | 5.9 | 17.2 | 4.6 | 4.4 | -0.3 | .245 | .311 | .714 |
| Manny Gonzalez | neither | 341 | 17.4 | 6.1 | 16.2 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 0.0 | .256 | .321 | .738 |
| Brian Gorman | Pitchers | 563 | 17.5 | 5.5 | 14.6 | 4.6 | 4.4 | -0.2 | .257 | .316 | .724 |
| Chris Guccione | neither | 717 | 17.7 | 5.8 | 14.7 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 0.2 | .260 | .322 | .739 |
| Tom Hallion | neither | 504 | 17.7 | 6.0 | 14.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .259 | .322 | .739 |
| Adam Hamari | Pitchers | 302 | 16.6 | 5.5 | 16.6 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 0.1 | .246 | .308 | .713 |
| Angel Hernandez | neither | 706 | 17.6 | 5.8 | 14.8 | 4.7 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .257 | .319 | .734 |
| Ed Hickox | Pitchers | 447 | 17.2 | 5.8 | 15.2 | 4.8 | 4.6 | -0.2 | .252 | .316 | .724 |
| John Hirschbeck | Pitchers | 388 | 17.4 | 5.7 | 14.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 0.2 | .255 | .316 | .720 |
| Mark Hirschbeck | Pitchers | 70 | 16.6 | 5.9 | 13.4 | 3.9 | 3.9 | -0.1 | .247 | .312 | .691 |
| Pat Hoberg | Pitchers | 277 | 16.9 | 6.3 | 16.5 | 4.8 | 4.4 | -0.4 | .248 | .317 | .725 |
| Bill Hohn | neither | 223 | 17.7 | 6.1 | 12.7 | 4.9 | 4.3 | -0.6 | .260 | .325 | .740 |
| Sam Holbrook | neither | 550 | 17.8 | 6.2 | 14.2 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 0.1 | .260 | .326 | .747 |
| Matt Hollowell | Hitters | 110 | 18.2 | 6.8 | 11.7 | 5.4 | 5.0 | -0.4 | .265 | .334 | .760 |
| James Hoye | neither | 570 | 17.7 | 6.2 | 15.2 | 5.0 | 4.6 | -0.4 | .258 | .323 | .738 |
| Marvin Hudson | neither | 719 | 17.7 | 6.1 | 14.9 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .259 | .324 | .736 |
| Dan Iassogna | neither | 707 | 17.5 | 6.0 | 14.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .256 | .321 | .735 |
| Emil Jimenez | neither | 27 | 17.1 | 5.8 | 16.7 | 4.8 | 4.4 | -0.4 | .258 | .324 | .741 |
| Adrian Johnson | neither | 495 | 17.5 | 6.2 | 15.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | -0.1 | .256 | .322 | .738 |
| Jim Joyce | neither | 468 | 17.8 | 5.9 | 13.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .261 | .323 | .739 |
| Jeff Kellogg | neither | 565 | 17.8 | 6.0 | 13.9 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .260 | .323 | .745 |
| Kevin Kelley | Hitters | 57 | 17.9 | 6.0 | 12.4 | 4.9 | 4.7 | -0.3 | .264 | .328 | .756 |
| Justin Klemm | neither | 26 | 18.9 | 5.3 | 12.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 0.1 | .273 | .326 | .748 |
| Brian Knight | neither | 498 | 17.5 | 6.2 | 15.2 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .256 | .323 | .739 |
| Ron Kulpa | Pitchers | 674 | 17.1 | 5.7 | 15.0 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 0.1 | .252 | .315 | .719 |
| Jerry Layne | neither | 549 | 17.6 | 6.3 | 14.0 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .259 | .326 | .742 |
| Nic Lentz | neither | 216 | 16.8 | 6.0 | 16.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 0.1 | .250 | .318 | .736 |
| John Libka | neither | 151 | 17.2 | 6.4 | 16.7 | 5.1 | 4.9 | -0.1 | .253 | .324 | .743 |
| Will Little | Pitchers | 281 | 16.7 | 6.0 | 16.8 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 0.5 | .248 | .315 | .724 |
| Shane Livensparger | neither | 117 | 16.7 | 6.2 | 16.5 | 5.0 | 4.3 | -0.7 | .249 | .318 | .732 |
| Nick Mahrley | neither | 147 | 16.5 | 5.8 | 17.1 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 0.5 | .247 | .314 | .732 |
| Alfonso Marquez | neither | 678 | 17.3 | 6.5 | 14.4 | 4.5 | 4.9 | 0.4 | .255 | .324 | .734 |
| Randy Marsh | Hitters | 277 | 18.1 | 6.8 | 12.1 | 5.0 | 4.8 | -0.2 | .265 | .336 | .760 |
| Ben May | Pitchers | 220 | 16.9 | 5.8 | 16.9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.1 | .248 | .311 | .718 |
| Tim McClelland | Hitters | 439 | 18.4 | 6.7 | 12.9 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 0.1 | .267 | .335 | .759 |
| Jerry Meals | neither | 697 | 17.5 | 6.0 | 14.6 | 4.7 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .256 | .321 | .731 |
| Chuck Meriwether | neither | 302 | 18.0 | 6.3 | 12.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | -0.2 | .263 | .328 | .746 |
| Dan Merzel | Pitchers | 86 | 16.2 | 5.4 | 17.4 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 0.5 | .243 | .308 | .708 |
| Bill Miller | Pitchers | 744 | 17.3 | 5.1 | 15.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 0.1 | .254 | .311 | .718 |
| Brennan Miller | Pitchers | 70 | 15.8 | 5.9 | 17.2 | 4.8 | 4.1 | -0.8 | .238 | .306 | .699 |
| Ed Montague | Hitters | 250 | 18.3 | 6.3 | 12.7 | 5.2 | 5.0 | -0.2 | .266 | .331 | .756 |
| Malachi Moore | Pitchers | 67 | 16.7 | 5.5 | 17.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 0.1 | .247 | .311 | .706 |
| Gabe Morales | neither | 287 | 17.2 | 5.6 | 17.1 | 4.9 | 4.8 | -0.1 | .254 | .316 | .736 |
| Edwin Moscoso | Pitchers | 116 | 16.7 | 7.3 | 17.1 | 5.6 | 4.5 | -1.1 | .247 | .327 | .730 |
| Mike Muchlinski | neither | 408 | 17.1 | 5.7 | 15.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .253 | .316 | .733 |
| Paul Nauert | Pitchers | 543 | 17.5 | 5.6 | 14.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 | .257 | .317 | .727 |
| Jose Navas | neither | 36 | 15.6 | 7.5 | 17.7 | 5.3 | 4.5 | -0.8 | .236 | .321 | .734 |
| Jeff Nelson | neither | 700 | 17.5 | 5.9 | 15.0 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .255 | .320 | .731 |
| Brian O'Nora | Pitchers | 648 | 17.4 | 5.5 | 14.8 | 4.6 | 4.5 | -0.1 | .255 | .316 | .724 |
| Roberto Ortiz | Pitchers | 152 | 16.8 | 5.7 | 17.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 | .249 | .313 | .726 |
| Larry Poncino | Hitters | 204 | 18.6 | 6.2 | 12.8 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 0.3 | .270 | .333 | .771 |
| Alan Porter | neither | 383 | 17.5 | 6.0 | 15.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .257 | .321 | .740 |
| David Rackley | neither | 304 | 17.4 | 6.1 | 16.4 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 0.6 | .256 | .321 | .742 |
| Charlie Ramos | Pitchers | 52 | 16.4 | 6.2 | 16.6 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 0.5 | .243 | .313 | .702 |
| Tony Randazzo | neither | 596 | 17.9 | 5.8 | 14.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 | -0.1 | .260 | .322 | .744 |
| Ed Rapuano | neither | 385 | 18.1 | 6.2 | 13.2 | 5.0 | 4.6 | -0.3 | .262 | .327 | .744 |
| Rick Reed | neither | 221 | 18.1 | 6.2 | 12.8 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .265 | .329 | .749 |
| Jeremie Rehak | Pitchers | 150 | 16.2 | 5.7 | 17.9 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 0.2 | .239 | .305 | .705 |
| Mike Reilly | Hitters | 325 | 18.6 | 6.5 | 13.1 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 0.2 | .271 | .337 | .772 |
| Charlie Reliford | neither | 235 | 18.2 | 6.0 | 13.6 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 0.2 | .265 | .328 | .749 |
| D.J. Reyburn | Pitchers | 380 | 16.9 | 6.0 | 16.4 | 4.6 | 4.4 | -0.2 | .248 | .314 | .717 |
| Jim Reynolds | neither | 657 | 17.7 | 6.0 | 14.5 | 4.7 | 4.6 | -0.1 | .260 | .324 | .740 |
| Jeremy Riggs | Pitchers | 86 | 16.5 | 5.6 | 17.1 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 0.2 | .246 | .309 | .702 |
| Mark Ripperger | neither | 291 | 17.3 | 5.5 | 16.7 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .253 | .314 | .733 |
| Steve Rippley | neither | 70 | 18.7 | 5.8 | 13.9 | 5.1 | 4.8 | -0.3 | .269 | .330 | .743 |
| Brian Runge | Pitchers | 341 | 17.4 | 5.6 | 13.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | -0.3 | .257 | .318 | .729 |
| Stu Scheurwater | neither | 213 | 16.8 | 6.3 | 16.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 0.2 | .249 | .318 | .737 |
| Paul Schrieber | Hitters | 452 | 18.3 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 5.0 | 4.9 | -0.1 | .266 | .335 | .757 |
| Dale Scott | neither | 519 | 18.1 | 6.2 | 13.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .264 | .328 | .746 |
| Chris Segal | Pitchers | 257 | 16.9 | 5.8 | 16.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.1 | .251 | .315 | .728 |
| John Shulock | neither | 52 | 17.8 | 6.1 | 12.2 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .261 | .326 | .741 |
| Todd Tichenor | Pitchers | 449 | 17.2 | 6.1 | 15.3 | 4.6 | 4.5 | -0.1 | .255 | .320 | .729 |
| Tim Timmons | neither | 659 | 17.8 | 6.0 | 14.9 | 4.8 | 4.6 | -0.2 | .259 | .323 | .740 |
| Nate Tomlinson | Hitters | 54 | 17.5 | 6.6 | 17.3 | 5.8 | 4.4 | -1.4 | .254 | .325 | .752 |
| Carlos Torres | Hitters | 230 | 17.7 | 6.3 | 16.4 | 5.4 | 4.6 | -0.8 | .259 | .327 | .762 |
| Alex Tosi | neither | 75 | 17.1 | 6.3 | 17.9 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.2 | .252 | .320 | .740 |
| Tim Tschida | Hitters | 388 | 18.1 | 6.4 | 13.3 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | .264 | .331 | .752 |
| John Tumpane | Pitchers | 309 | 16.7 | 5.9 | 16.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 0.4 | .248 | .314 | .721 |
| Junior Valentine | Pitchers | 86 | 16.0 | 6.5 | 16.8 | 4.7 | 4.5 | -0.2 | .240 | .312 | .704 |
| Larry Vanover | neither | 652 | 17.6 | 5.9 | 14.8 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .259 | .323 | .737 |
| Jansen Visconti | Pitchers | 161 | 16.9 | 6.6 | 17.2 | 5.1 | 4.4 | -0.7 | .248 | .321 | .729 |
| Clint Vondrak | Pitchers | 65 | 16.3 | 5.9 | 16.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 | -0.2 | .244 | .310 | .728 |
| Mark Wegner | neither | 671 | 17.4 | 6.5 | 14.5 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 0.0 | .257 | .326 | .741 |
| Bill Welke | neither | 653 | 17.9 | 5.8 | 14.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 0.2 | .261 | .323 | .740 |
| Tim Welke | neither | 489 | 18.1 | 5.7 | 14.0 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 0.0 | .262 | .322 | .738 |
| Hunter Wendelstedt | Pitchers | 674 | 17.1 | 6.0 | 14.8 | 4.7 | 4.6 | -0.1 | .253 | .319 | .728 |
| Joe West | neither | 647 | 17.8 | 6.1 | 14.7 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 0.1 | .258 | .323 | .738 |
| Chad Whitson | Pitchers | 198 | 16.3 | 6.0 | 16.7 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 0.3 | .244 | .311 | .727 |
| Ryan Wills | Pitchers | 88 | 16.0 | 6.5 | 17.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 0.0 | .240 | .314 | .724 |
| Mike Winters | neither | 589 | 17.7 | 5.9 | 14.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 0.1 | .260 | .323 | .735 |
| Quinn Wolcott | neither | 277 | 17.5 | 5.8 | 16.5 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 0.2 | .257 | .320 | .739 |
| Jim Wolf | neither | 675 | 17.8 | 5.8 | 14.7 | 4.8 | 4.7 | -0.1 | .260 | .322 | .739 |
| Tom Woodring | Hitters | 113 | 17.6 | 6.3 | 16.1 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 0.1 | .259 | .324 | .763 |
| Larry Young | Hitters | 212 | 18.5 | 6.2 | 13.4 | 5.1 | 5.1 | 0.0 | .268 | .333 | .766 |
How exactly can umpires impact fantasy ball?
We'll, it's all about probability over time. If a home plate umpire consistently has a wide strike zone (eg, few centimeters outside the outer edge), more at-bats tend to go the pitcher's way. For example, the next pitch of a critical 1-1 count has a HUGE effect on the result of an at-bat. A 2-1 count gives a batter a big advantage over a 1-2 count (league-wide OPS of under .500). So, if Tripp Gibson (a pitcher's umpire) gives Kershaw an extra inch off the outside corner on a 1-1 count against Arenado with the bases juiced, that single call could tip the balance of the game (and mute Arenado's counting stats for the game). Of course, not all pitchers key in on umpires but the smart ones do and exploit every millimiter they can get.
How reliable is this data?
Especially in baseball, nothing's guaranteed (ask any gambler). Just when you think you "know" what's gonna happen, the script is flipped. However, over the course of a full season, long-established tendencies usually win out. Umpire biases are no different. Especially with non-ace starting pitchers, it's always in your favor to check who's behind the plate before you commit to the start. If a SP's splits are already iffy, a big-time hitter's umpire might be the deciding factor towards a bench. As you probably guessed, umpire data is more valuable for setting your pitching lineup for the day or week. The only exception is if you're playing DFS and thinking about stacking a bunch of guys on offense. A hitter-friendly ump is usually the cherry on top.