By the defensive numbers, Pedroia was slightly better but had far fewer defensive innings played (almost 500 innings).I thought Pedroia would have been a shoo-in. To be fair, I only watch the Sox so I don't have the perspective. Was Dozier better?
Lotta truth in that second paragraph.By the defensive numbers, Pedroia was slightly better but had far fewer defensive innings played (almost 500 innings).
But by the more important Gold Glove numbers, Dozier had Pedroia beat with 34 HR and a 126 OPS+ (vs 7 and 101).
By DRS, not quite: Mookie leads all RF by 13, but Andrelton Simmons leads all SS by 21.Is Mookie the best defensive player relative to others at their position in the majors?
Yeah, and that's what I just don't get. I don't have a strong opinion about AB's defense one way or the other, but JBJ is another story entirely. He may be the best Red Sox CF I've ever seen. To my eye, he makes so many tough plays look routine, and is beyond smooth. Pillar and Kiermeier are probably just as good, but I wouldn't trade JBJ for them. It's just really hard to know what I'm (we're) missing, but it seems to be consistent.that link does not think too highly of JBJ or Benintendi.
I wonder if someone wrote a program that included all the range factors, etc., it would recommend putting Mookie in center and JBJ in right. JBJ’s arm wouldn’t be wasted in right, Mookie's got plenty of arm for center, and he gobbles up all kinds of balls in left center that Andrew can’t get to and JBJ wasn’t quite fast enough to get to. Would take guts for Cora to suggest such a thing because of the experience of the guys where they’re at, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Just a pipe dream. Also, Giancarlo may be here, who knows.Does Mookie's range in right end up working against JBJ's numbers? I don't know how they're calculated.
Among other things, this link has descriptions of what fielding metrics make up SDI (SABR's Defensive Index) and what defensive elements are included in SDI's components. This was published in August of 2013, so there may have been some changes because of StatCast.Yeah, and that's what I just don't get. I don't have a strong opinion about AB's defense one way or the other, but JBJ is another story entirely. He may be the best Red Sox CF I've ever seen. To my eye, he makes so many tough plays look routine, and is beyond smooth.
I notice that SABR's formula combines several different metrics, and I think at least some of these (e.g. Zone Rating) penalize fielders for balls in their zone they didn't catch even if another fielder caught them--which UZR, for instance, does not. So it seems very possible that JBJ is getting dinged in this system for balls Mookie's catching.Does Mookie's range in right end up working against JBJ's numbers? I don't know how they're calculated.
Wasnt there discussion around here at one point about how the Sox use their 3 CF outfield? Some seemed to think the Sox philosophy was to let Mookie and AB cover as much ground as possible leaving JBJ to back up plays - using his arm to keep misplays to a minimum. I believe some argued that this might hurt JBJs statistical value, but might be the best use of the specific players.Does Mookie's range in right end up working against JBJ's numbers? I don't know how they're calculated.
My impression of Bradley's arm this year was that while it was strong, it was not always accurate, and in looking at FanGraph's advanced defensive ratings for this season I found his rating in CF for rARM was 0.0 (where rARM is runs above average an OF saves by preventing runners from advancing).Wasnt there discussion around here at one point about how the Sox use their 3 CF outfield? Some seemed to think the Sox philosophy was to let Mookie and AB cover as much ground as possible leaving JBJ to back up plays - using his arm to keep misplays to a minimum. I believe some argued that this might hurt JBJs statistical value, but might be the best use of the specific players.
Thought that was common knowledge. He was also MVP in basketball in his district league as a senior.Apparently, Mookie can bowl. Who knew?
Catchers
This is incredible. Really puts into perspective the season Vazquez had at the plate. He was a very bright spot for the 2017 edition, and is probably only overshadowed by the presumption that he can't possibly keep this up, right?Player Team SDI
Martin Maldonado LAA 14.1
Sandy Leon BOS 7.7
Christian Vazquez BOS 7.1
Jason Castro MIN 4.6
Yan Gomes CLE 3.5
Caleb Joseph BAL 3.4
Salvador Perez KCR 1.5
Welington Castillo BAL 0.7
Robinson Chirinos TEX 0.6
Gary Sanchez NYY 0.1
Alex Avila DET 0.0