Defensive Roundup
By Bruce Herrin - Guest Writer
07/31/2006
A preview of what end-of-year eRatings will look like for your defense
We're quickly heading into August, and so it's time to take a look at projected defensive e-ratings. I'm not going to cover catchers or pitchers in this article due to the fact that their e-ratings tend to be less important than the other positions.
In the next couple days youll also see a chart that ranks each position by projected e-rating in ascending order. These e-ratings were calculated using the popular (E/INNINGS*1458) formula. I also added another column called "E Rtg from Chart" which lists the best e-rating the player could have based on the current Strat-o-matic Super Advanced Fielding Chart.
So for example, Mark Grudzielanek is currently rated at 2.0 errors over a full season, but the lowest X-Chart rating at 2nd base is 4, so he's listed as an e4. For outfielders, I combined all of their stats and calculated them based on this data, just as Strat-o-matic does.
I also gave anyone with LESS than 500 innings thus far AND ZERO errors on the season one error before calculating their e-rating. This is something that I believe Strat-o-matic does also, although I'm not sure exactly how many innings they base that method on.
NOTE: Players are listed at their primary position (exceptions being DH's who play a bit in the field)
1B: One major surprise here - Nomar Garciaparra, in his first full season at 1st base, is not only having a great offensive season but is also on pace for an e2! You can file that one under "Whodathunkit". Other big offensive names having solid defensive seasons thus far include Albert Pujols (e6), Paul Konerko (e6) and Lance Berkman (e6). Justin Morneau is on pace for a decent e9, and Carlos Delgado is on pace for an e11, quite an improvement over last season's e17 rating. Nick Johnson currently rates out at e12. Some sluggers who aren't getting it done with the leather include Ryan Howard (e20) and Jason Giambi (e28). Due to limited innings at the position, David Ortiz (e24) and Jim Thome (e30) also rate poorly to no one's surprise.
2B: There are some great defensive seasons being turned in at 2nd base, and Mark Grudzielanek, Jamey Carroll and Mark Ellis lead the way, all rating out at e4! Some guys having both solid defense AND offensive seasons thus far include Jeff Kent (e5), Craig Biggio (e6), Brian Roberts (e8) and Tahadito Iguchi (e10). Some notable hitters who are having average to bad defensive seasons include Jorge Cantu (e20), Chase Utley (e21) and Ian Kinsler (e21). Oh, and I hope you weren't counting on Rickie Weeks to solidify part of your middle infield. His current pace is an atrocious e41! One player - Mark DeRosa - has played mostly outfield but has several games at second and currently rates out at e8, so he deserves to be mentioned here.
3B: Leading the way on defense is none other than Eric Chavez (e5) - no surprise. Unfortunately for his owners, his offense has all but disappeared this season. Mike Lowell is having a nice bounceback season in Boston, and sports a nifty e8, while Aramis Ramirez is suddenly hitting again and currently carries a solid e10 rating. Some other notable hitters near the top of the list include Freddy Sanchez (e14), Joe Crede (e15) and Scott Rolen (e15). David Wright (e18) has a bit of a high e-rating, but his range and bat will more than make up for a few errors. Troy Glaus (e20), Miguel Cabrera (e21) and Garrett Atkins (e22) are all having solid seasons with the bat but will make their share of errors. Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones are both on pace for disappointing e31 ratings, and youngster Edwin Encarnacion is showing promise, but his ugly e47 pace will make it tougher to play him.
SS: Leading the way at shortstop thus far are two of the usual suspects: Omar Vizquel and Adam Everett continue to play excellent shortstop, both currently at e7. Alex Gonzalez of Boston is close behind at e8. Of the players having solid offensive seasons, Jimmy Rollins is quite good at e10, Khalil Greene continues to improve with a nice e14, and Derek Jeter, Edgar Renteria, Jose Reyes and Michael Young all project out at e16. Miguel Tejada (e23) and Bill Hall (e24) are having mediocre defensive seasons as e-ratings go, but Carlos Guillen is struggling the most of the top offensive group, currently carrying an e31! Other notable hitters near the bottom of the defensive board include Hanley Ramirez (e25), Rafael Furcal (e34) and Julio Lugo (e34).
LF: Ok quick, name an NL left fielder who has played at least 500 innings, has an OPS north of .900 and has made NO errors. Here's a hint: He has 722 career home runs. You guessed it... Barry Bonds. He joins a list of 7 other left fielders who currently are on pace for e0 ratings in left field (Preston Wilson, Luis Gonzalez, Dave Roberts, Ryan Langerhans, Frank Catalanotto, Garret Anderson and Jose Cruz Jr. are the others). Notable offensive monsters that won't hurt you with the glove include Manny Ramirez (e2), Jason Bay (e3) and Pat Burrell (e5). Carlos Lee and Matt Holliday are average at e7, while Alfonso Soriano owners are going to have to suffer through an e13 pace. I'm sure they'll find a way to make do. Adam Dunn also comes in high at e15.
CF: There are only four true centerfielders with 500+ innings currently on pace for no errors. And none of the 4 (Juan Pierre, Steve Finley, Cory Sullivan and Brian Anderson) are getting it done at the plate, although Pierre is certainly stealing some bases. Some of the offensive juggernauts at the position are on pace for good defensive e-ratings. Carlos Beltran is definitely back, and holds a respectable e4. Vernon Wells is also on fire, and his e5 is certainly tolerable. Grady Sizemore is also crushing the ball and also carries an e3 rating - solid! The next tier has Andruw Jones at e2 (with almost certainly a 1 range rating in CF) but not quite the offense as the others. Ryan Freel is looking like the 2006 version of Chone Figgins, and rates out as an e3. Jim Edmonds is struggling some with the bat this year, and defensively he's made a few errors as evidenced by his e7 projection. Mike Cameron is having his typical season mediocre average, decent power, he's stealing bases like he did 3 years ago - but again is making his share of errors and is on pace for an ugly e10. Those owners hoping to grab Matt Kemp and use him as a late game pinch hitter are probably going to have to replace him in the field due to his nice e25 projected rating.
RF: There are only 2 regular right fielders on pace for the coveted e0 - Alex Rios and Jason Lane. The big difference between the two? Alex Rios decided to bring his bat to the plate. Currently sporting a nice .326/.378/.573/.952 line, Alex should be one of the top right fielders in the 2006 set. Other notable top-tier hitters flashing some leather include Bobby Abreu (e2) and Ichiro Suzuki (e2). Brad Hawpe, Casey Blake, Eric Hinske and Magglio Ordonez are all solid at e7, while Jermaine Dye and Moises Alou rate out at e8. Vlad Guerrero is back to throwing the ball all over the yard, and is currently on pace for a brutal e15 rating.