Braves One Of The Top Five Defensive Teams In Baseball
by gondeee on Jul 7, 2010 10:51 AM EDT
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PrintAnother week and another great Stat of the Week from John Dewan's site (hat tip: Eaheckman10).
Last Stat of the Week, we presented the individual Defensive Runs Saved leaders. This time, we take a look at which teams top the Defensive Runs Saved leaderboard. Right now, the Rays are the best defensive team in baseball by a large margin. Here are the top five teams according to Defensive Runs Saved:
2010 Runs Saved Leaders Team P C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF Total Tampa Bay Rays 0 0 4 25 7 7 15 -4 6 60 San Diego Padres 9 -1 3 0 13 6 4 12 5 51 Colorado Rockies 9 8 3 0 4 18 11 1 -9 45 Atlanta Braves 4 3 -4 3 8 18 0 -3 11 40 Oakland Athletics 10 4 13 2 12 5 -5 -8 5 38
All of these teams are playoff caliber teams, save for Oakland, which has fallen off recently. The Braves of the early 90's were built around defense and pitching, and we certainly know the investment that this 2010 Braves team has made in pitching, so it's good to know that they're backing this up with great defense. The first thing that jumps out is obviously the big boost the Braves get at shortstop with Yunel Escobar accounting for almost half of the team's runs saved -- more reason NOT to trade him.
Beyond that I was surprised to see third base so high and center field so low. I've always said that the defense of Chipper Jones at third base is a bit underrated. He may not have the quick reaction or above average range at the hot corner that he once had, but he's still got a great arm and he makes that play coming in on the ball better than anyone else I've seen. It's good to know that he's not costing us runs in the field... quite the opposite.
It's also interesting to see that the trifecta of players we've used in center field has not lived up to their defensive expectations. All are overrated defenders, not to mention overrated hitters.
On the whole it's great to see the Braves with solid defense (according to this metric), and mentioned along with the other surprise teams of 2010. The Braves have made their share of errors in the field, so it's not all roses, but at least they make up for that with defensive runs saved.
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Given that Yunel’s been hurt a good part of the year, how much of that is him, and how much is Infante (got a feeling that it will validate keeping Yunel more, which I think we should do, unless it’s for a top power-hitting CF)
Yunel's been hurt a good part of the year?
He has played 612 innings at short, Infante 130.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
Yunel
is +20 runs
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 7, 2010 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I think a few of those runs at Third
Could be credited to Brooks Conrad as well. In limited action he has had some stellar plays at the hot corner. I think Chipper has been better than last season, but not as good as he was in ’08.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
This is true. Conrad has been nothing short of magnificent. He has 4 Runs Saved, which is 10th in all of baseball. Chipper has 4 as well, but in many more inings
Also,
UZR has Conrad at +0.8 in limited time at 3B, but Chipper at -2.2. Which seems to fit the evidence of my eyes a bit better.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 7, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Can anyone subtract 40 from our run differential and see what our Pythag record would look like?
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
It's 49-35...
same as actual record, I think.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
At least thats what MLB shows
as XWL; isn’t that the same thing?
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." A. Bartlett Giamatti
I didn't go there
But if you follow the math here, you end up with my results, unless I made a mistake.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
44-40
If we add 40 runs on our total runs allowed. We would be on pace for 86-76. Currently, at 49-35 we are on pace for 95-67.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
awesome
thanks
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 7, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
that picture:
I’m 95% sure Chipper injured in that play
The PuertoRican Kid
by Kobe:The Legend on Jul 7, 2010 11:03 AM EDT reply actions
Yunel's defense, alone, is reason not to trade him.
Any offense that he provides is a bonus. Usually, a nice, little bonus.
He had a couple of hits last nite..
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:08 AM EDT reply actions
These have been my sentiments to date
The problem is that we know he can be so much better offensively, but given what we get from catcher and 2B, our performance at CF and SS can suffer if they provide good defense. The poor defense in center to date does not surprise me. Neither Cabrera nor McLouth have much range, McLouth obviously being the better.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
Cabrera takes good routes, plays balls well off the wall, has an excellent throwing arm, is smart with how he plays defense… if only he had the range he would be a fantastic defender in CF but as it is now he is just a really good corner outfielder who doesn’t hit like one.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
From what I’ve seen of him in center, what has gotten to me is that he does not take control of the outfield or infield well. When balls are between him and second base, he seems content with letting an infielder come out rather than him come in, which I absolutely hate and has cost us runs.
That was his M.O. before coming here. Not enough defense to play center and not enough offense to play the corners.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
Is it me, or if Melky lost 10-15 lbs, he would probably have an extra turn of speed.
The scary thing is, it’s better than I expected, right now. but that potential is kind of nuts…
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
I would like to see him lose some weight, too.
Maybe a full off-season with the team will convince him to get in a bit better shape.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
by Jacob Peterson on Jul 7, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
This.
I’d rather trade some pitching depth to plug the offensive and defensive hole in center (or at least have Schafer for D).
Owning the Patriots since September 9, 1960
by Darin H on Jul 7, 2010 11:21 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
wow, our centerfielders suck
New one at the deadline Franky? Pretty pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaase?
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jul 7, 2010 11:17 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Another reason
to hope that Schafer can turn things around in AAA. He is really having a tough go of it right now but if he can get his bat even replacement level his defense would be a huge upgrade out there in center. With the rate he is striking out lately I’m getting really close to completely resigning myself to accepting that he will need a full year to get things right in the minors.
Instead of replacing Hinske/Diaz in left or Heyward in right with a right handed power hitter maybe we can add a great defensive centerfielder whose walk rates are in line with how this team operates, like say Covelli “Coco” Crisp.
Pitching, defense and not making outs… successful themes of the Braves this year that we can build on.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
This is a good idea, I like it to be honest. One person who would be interesting is B.J. Upton, as his defense in center (when he tries) is always good. This year his UZR/150 is poor, but the stat is best used when grouping three years together rather than half of one year. He is right-handed, has a lot of potential, and is a great centerfielder.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
The last thing we need is Upton half-assing it around the club. the old, “I only play as well as I want to play” type shit.
might as well trade for milton bradley.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
He had an incident
but Bobby usually gets good play out of the people most believe don’t try all the time. J.D. Drew and Gary Sheffield are prime examples.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
Bobby 'supposedly' won't be around next year (as manager)
All Freddi needs is a Hanley Diva 2.0
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
I don’t want a player like Upton on our team. I doubt Bobby would appreciate his lack of hustle anyway. I’m all about a defensive-minded, patient-at-the-plate speedy center fielder. As for schafer, I don’t think the braves have him in their future plans any longer. I look for him to be a C+ level throw in for a trade package. Maybe even by the deadline this year.
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jul 7, 2010 11:31 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I’m not sure I wan’t to overpay for Upton’s ‘potential’. All I really want (for the cost) is an excellent defender in center who can get on base – any power as a bonus.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
If Blanco would lay off the breaking stuff, that could be him.
lol, same for Melky.
TP must be busy doing……whetever the hell else he does….
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
From my limited scouting/data isn’t Blanco just an average CFer with a good arm? Correct me if I’m wrong but he doesn’t profile as that difference making elite defensive centerfielder.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
Many people underrate Prado’s defense as well, calling him “average.”
If both of these guys are “average,” I’ll take it, sans any drama. Above average CFers usually always have drama.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Blanco, despite how well he’s played for us so far (especially compared to his past major league resume) is not a starting-caliber center fielder on a championship ball club.
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jul 7, 2010 11:33 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Making great hitters out of...
Ross, Diaz, Hinske, Infante, et al?
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
and even God took a day off.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank you Captain Obvious! :)
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jul 7, 2010 12:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I disagree
Heyward is a great baseball player. If he were indeed “God” if would not be injured.
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
BLASPHEMY!
Don't kiss an ass if it's in the process of shitting on you.
"…aren’t worthy enough to hold his (Pujols) ass cheeks apart while Playboy models wipe him with thousand dollar bills after he craps out the cure to whatever previously-incurable disease." by royhobbs 1/7/09
BANN
"Tony Gwynn made sacrifices. Cal Ripken made sacrifices. I'm not sure Derek Jeter made sacrifices given the ungodly deep pockets the Yankees have." - Chipper Jones
by MBL1 on Jul 7, 2010 2:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
The eye test told me his defense was terrific because of what seemed to be his incredible range. It’s good to see one of the metrics validate that.
by get swoll yunel on Jul 7, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Winning 3/4 before the AS break would be gravy.
I’m ready to knock around the Mets. They’ve been treading water long enough.
"It looks like The Hound of the Baskervilles out there." - Steve Stone
"...I'm reminded of Wuthering Heights." - Harry Caray
~
I see a troll under that bridge!
by Chief Noc-A-Homa on Jul 7, 2010 12:16 PM EDT reply actions
To be fair,
there is huge disagreement between DRS and UZR on how good the Braves are defensively. DRS has us at +43, 3rd best in MLB. UZR has us at -9.7, 20th in MLB. Realistically, we are probably about an average defensive team, though it is nice that our best defensive player is at shortstop, the most important defensive position.
As far as CF is concerned, Melky and Blanco have been OK there—right about average. (Melky weirdly rates worse in LF than in CF.) All of the negative CF numbers we are getting are coming from McLouth, who rates terribly in both DRS and UZR. He is pretty clearly overrated in CF.
"Yeah, and I have an enchanted jock strap." -- Karl Karlson
He's acknowledged the numbers in the past
Saying that he starts off in a different position than most, plays shallower so he gets to different balls that some don’t get to and doesn’t get to some that others do get to. I figure that would show up in the stats though, just mentioning how he feels about it. On the eye test, he seems to make some pretty good plays in center, but at best I feel he is average in CF and is best suited for a corner.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
and is best suited for a corner...
of the bench.
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 7, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
makes you wonder
how mcclouth ever got a gold glove…
He hit well that season
So the managers gave him the Gold Glove. It sounds stupid, but it happens regularly. I would bet a lot of money on the same thing happening to Prado this season. If he were to have an average hitting season, and perform the same defensively, he wouldn’t even be in the running.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
also McLouth played really good defense based on the traditional nbrs…lhe only had one error and sometimes that is all you need to do to win a gold glove…not make any mistakes..who cares f you have no range and make bad reads he caught all the balls he got to.
/slight bit of sarcasm disperesed throughout
Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?
by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST
That would be worse than McLouth...
Or Wright, or Abreu. He’s a garbage fielder.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
It's funny
How I agree with one metric for certain players, and another metric for other players. Both of these systems are highly thought of, but they disagree on so many points that it’s hard to really have confidence in what they’re actually measuring. I’ve always been a bit skeptical of fielding metrics and their ability to track everything appropriately. We all know that not all groundballs are created equally. They do a good job in the big picture, but there’s so much variance that they’re always full of noise.
For example, I think UZR is more accurate when talking about Prado, Chipper, McLouth and possibly Heyward, while I think that for Melky, Yunel, Infante, and Hinske are more accurately captured by DRS. Then there’s players about which they’re mostly in agreement, like Conrad and Glaus.
You have to be skeptic of fielding metrics
None of them are perfect, and far from it. It’s unfortunate, but it is a very difficult thing to measure. Using a bunch of stats together is probably the best way to judge, and even then it only truthfully points out who is great and who is awful.
Twitter: @Ben_Duronio
I don’t care about Yunel’s D. I don’t like his facial expressions and demand that he should be traded because of this.
This guy wants to suck all the cubs dick can he not have an unbias some what partition reguards
by RWH2 on Apr 5, 2010 10:20 AM CDT
by justincredubil02 on Jul 7, 2010 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
And the time he bickered with a scorer instead of, you know, playing baseball?
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Staring at a guy
Isn’t really “bickering”
"You were not brought upon this world to 'get it', Mr. Burton. " - David Lo Pan
Cursing him from 100 yards away is.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Cause he stood around that one time
…an’…stuff…
"Sometimes you forget, with all the nostalgia, just what a poor game manager Bobby is." - Fred Pen
Bobby had to take On-drew off of the field once.
Gary Thorne repeated that story daily for a decade.
"Sometimes you forget, with all the nostalgia, just what a poor game manager Bobby is." - Fred Pen
Hillshire Farms……oh wait. You said HEAT. My bad.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
by UMDBHIK on Jul 7, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
nice
"Infield hits are sexy, because they require technique."
-Ichiro
by VivaLosBravos on Jul 7, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Andruw Jones
He is making the league minimum he would be a cheap option and would not cost us much to get him from the White Sox. He still is striking out alot but speed power and a guy familiar with what we do in Braves Country. Plus he is essentially a backup and would probably relish playing in Atlanta as a starter.
by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 7, 2010 1:44 PM EDT reply actions
Rosterbation
Thataway -—————>
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
rosterbation
maybe thataway but for defensive specs andruw would be a good upgrade in center for us regardless. He hits homers plays defense at a gold glove level.
by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 7, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
WHAT?
He’s way negative in UZR at every OF spot. That ship has sailed.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Miss the Panthers blog much?
His batting avg is much better than Nate’s hell my grandma could probably swing it better than Nate right now. Range is still just as good if not better than Nate and he is still a better option than MilkDud in center. Ship may have sailed but Bobby can probably get some wind in the sails of Andruw for a few months. Stick him behind Mac or in front of Troy and even if he bats in the mid to low 200’s for avg and manages to muscle 10-15 between now in the end of the season it more than we ave been getting from center this year.
by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 8, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll bet my life Jones doesn't have 15 home runs in him.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Jul 8, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
andruw hasn’t had speed for quite a few years. Defensively speaking, he does have range, but that is not due to speed.
defense wins games..
I was really surprised to see yunel among the best..but hey, never said his defense was bad, just the bat..but hopefully thats turning a corner, we REALLY need it to.
The poster formerly known as: SidKotchman
by SidGlaus on Jul 7, 2010 2:03 PM EDT reply actions
I've asked the same ?
When they have been on CSS the nights the A- Braves are not playing?
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
Thanks for the heads up
I am now watching.
Washington Tribune, June 29 2010 – "The stonecutters carving Stephen Strasburg’s name onto the Washington Monument have been directed to await further instructions."
Freddie Freeman sac fly
niiiiice.
"Sharks have a week dedicated to Jason Heyward."
METS: My Entire Team Sucks.
by Scott Coleman on Jul 7, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Braves need to wear those powder blue unis more often
Just sayin’
Morton hit Heyward with an offspeed pitch. Early indication is that the baseball survived the impact.
Re
It is awesome that we have gold glove caliber defense ready to fill in our two weakest defensive positions, Freeman at first base and, hopefully once his wrist is back 100% and is hitting for power again, Schafer in center field. We could have a truly great defense.
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