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Defensive Numbers: The Infielders

After last night's frustrating loss in which the Royals left 300 men on-base, the less said the better. Instead, lets talk defense for awhile, shall we? Particularly, infield defense.

Marc Normandin at Beyond the Boxscore ran the defensive numbers for all Major League players with at least 300 innings in the field. Normandin computes the "Runs Above Average" saved by each player. As you know, an important part of defensive play isn't just avoiding errors, but also making plays. This is a major factor in the ongoing debates about Jeter, he avoids errors, but generally doesn't have much range at short either. As with all defensive metrics, the numbers are far from perfect, but as we amass more and more data, there starts to be some grain of truth revealed. You can find the link here, which contains the full rankings.

Strolling through:

Doug Mientkiewicz (1b): .27 RAA (18th): I'm a little shocked that Dougie is this far down the list. By way of contrast, Albert Pujols has saved 11.2 runs at first according to this measure. I think the Royals lack of ground-ball pitchers may be effecting the numbers, in fact, I know it is. Still, guys like Lance Niekro, Kendry Morales and Mike Lamb have all saved more runs in fewer chances. Perhaps Minky hasn't been as good as we've thought, either.

Mark Grudzielanek (2b): 10.48 RAA (tie 2nd): Its good to see Grudz this high, especially after the nice plays he made last night. Grudz has played a big role in stabilizing our infield, and teamed with Minky, gives the Royals a solid side. Of course, I should probably start referring to that tandem in the past-tense.

Mark Teahen (3b): -7.47 RAA (25th): Now only 28 third baseman have played 300 innings, so Mark's 25th ranking isn't exactly stellar. Third base is a weird position this year, with supposedly good glovemen like Eric Chavez and David Wright have weak, run costing years. Ohh, and some guy named Alex Rodriguez is also struggling. Number one? The undead Mike Lowell, one of the most boring human beings on the planet.

Angel Berroa (SS): -10.71 RAA (28th): Finally, the ranking we've all been waiting for. Well, what if I told you that Berroa is playing a better defensive SS than Derek Jeter? Would that make you feel better? Jeter's lost the Yankees about 8.17 runs, while Berroa's only cost the Royals 8.06. Plus, Jeter's missed more time with an injury, so he's done more damage in less time. Number one? Adam Everett of the Astros (19.10) followed by Juan Uribe of the Sox.

So in total, the non-catcher infield was strong on one side (Grudz & Minky about 11 runs above average) and weak as hell on the other (Teahen & Berroa losing about 18.5 runs). As for the other guys: Graffy, German, Stairs, etc. its a little difficult to say because they just haven't seen enough plays. We know Stairs is below average, but I wouldn't say he's "awful" and I suspect Graffy is about average, if not slightly below. German, I have no idea. I think its plain to see that the Royals would benefit from playing Blanco some at SS for starters, perhaps much more on the road, where Berroa simply doesn't hit.

Once again, the link is here. The Outfield data should be up later today, if not now. Lastly, as soon as you get your football itch... check out the Royals Review sister Chiefs site, Arrowhead Pride.

---------

(Two hours later)

Are the Rangers interested in Mark Redman? Matt Stairs? Minky? Well, possibly they are. Can you say A-ball prospects???

And I just saw this on Twinkie Town:

Since June 8

Team W L PCT

Minnesota- 34-8 (.810)
Detroit- 31-11 (.738)
Chicago- 23-19 (.548)
Kansas City- 21-22 (.488)
Cleveland- 15-27 (.357)

Yay Royals!

0 recs | Comment 28 comments

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ah, I knew it'd happen eventually
considering the rest of Kansas City has been talking about football since the end of April (it's true; they posted up the draft picks at the baseball game during the rain delay against oakland that ended up getting rained out and thus flushed another royal win down the toilet; we were 6-1 in the 3rd.). I know this wasn't a 'baseball team sucks, let's talk about the chiefs' thing, but I thought I'd put in my two cents.

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 27, 2006 11:32 AM EDT   0 recs

I'm actually
a rams fan... love 'em

by FlintHillsRoyal on Jul 27, 2006 11:48 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

teahen
I can't figure out what I think about Teahen defensively... he seems like such a good athlete, with a solid arm, he should be better than that... perhaps he will be going forward

by FlintHillsRoyal on Jul 27, 2006 11:48 AM EDT   0 recs

Thanks for the link
Couple of notes...the system has trouble at the corners sometimes, so Minky might be better than that, but it's most likely true that he isn't quite what everyone thinks he is.

I'm amazed Berroa still has a job, since he can't field or hit...he's roughly 34 runs below average so far this year, and roughly 17 runs below replacement level overall as well. I mentioned this in Hit List, but why hasn't Esteban German seen some time at short? I'm probably asking a question that's been answered here multiple times in the past.

by Marc Normandin on Jul 27, 2006 12:18 PM EDT   0 recs

Berroa
is approaching Neifi territory... possibly the worst player in baseball

by DyeFan187 on Jul 27, 2006 12:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

do NOT
question the brillance of !Neifi!  Perez- he is the shining light the illuminates the path on which all true Cubs must follow

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 1:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually
Berroa is much worse than Neifi I think. Neifi can field

by Marc Normandin on Jul 28, 2006 12:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Buddy Bell's Latest Lineup Folly
You're Buddy Bell, and your designated 1st baseman/#3 hitter Minky is hurt. This means your designated hitter Matt Stairs must play the position temporarily, even against left-handed pitchers, against whom he's unfathomably horrible (.227/.292/.273). So, do you hide him at 7th or 8th in the lineup against southpaws until Minky's healthy, moving Brown or Teahen up to 4th, or bat him cleanup  because you believe people grow accustomed to a specific lineup position and must stay there despite the profound statistical likelihood of failure under certain conditions?

Buddy bats Stairs 4th last night against the lefty: 0-5, 4 left on base

Meanwhile, Emil Brown goes 3-3 with a walk.

by andrewmiller on Jul 27, 2006 12:53 PM EDT   0 recs

nice work
I didnt realize stairs was so bad against lefties...

buddy really did kill us last night

by DyeFan187 on Jul 27, 2006 12:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully, this is Cupcakes last year.
My question is why haven't they brought up Huber?  Has the organization given up on him?  He has to be better than Stairs?  Why bring up Blanco if you have German to back up Berroa?  

And when is the Runny experiment going to end.  I am hoping that when Perez and Dela get here that they will send Runny and Hudson down and not Gobble and Hudson.  

I am sure that the organization has pretty much crossed off this season.  Still they could make a run at 60 wins.  If for nothing else than to show some improvement on last year's debacle.

by grudz69 on Jul 27, 2006 1:18 PM EDT   0 recs

HUber
I'm starting to think he's really really really upset someone in the Royals' leadership. Nothing to back this up, but it might explain things. Then again, maybe they've decided not to rush him.

I'm sure he'll come up when rosters expand... but youneverknow...

by royalsreview on Jul 27, 2006 1:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

the royals
seemed to be very easily offended, first dee brown and now this guy

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 1:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Why is Duckworth being demoted???
I understand giving De La Rosa a chance to start, but I don't see any good in demoting Duckworth to the bullpen.  Other than Mark Redman, Duck's been KC's most consistent starter the past month or so.  I bet Duckworth is royally pissed (pardon the pun).  

Let's fire Bell now.  There is only one poster on this site who likes Buddy, and he's obviously someone in Bell's immediate family.  

by royalsfan on Jul 27, 2006 2:29 PM EDT   0 recs

seriously
i gave up trying to understand the pitching decisions long ago...

which isn't to say that ducky might not be a good long guy/swing man...

but damn, is there any connection between performance and role on this team?

by royalsreview on Jul 27, 2006 2:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

My guess
Is that they are saying Duckworth is going to the pen, but are planning to trade Redman in which case they'll need Duckworth (Gary Busey) back in the rotation.

by Berroa is the devil on Jul 27, 2006 3:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

you know
as a avid cubs fan and a memeber of BCB i would say that there is a pitcher moore might want to see if he could aquire

Rich Hill- has dominated the minors this year starting the AAA all star game and putting up sick numbers-- BUT he has struggled in his few ML innings and the cubs brass doesnt like him

might be worth a shot just send a strikeout heavey low OBP guy youve got yourself a god damn deal

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 3:24 PM EDT   0 recs

no doubt
I'd love to get Rich Hill. The Cubs fascinate me this deadline... I really don't know what to make of Hendry anymore. I think I heard on WGN that he doesn't want to trade many guys on his current big league roster because he'd just have to find their replacement next season...

by royalsreview on Jul 27, 2006 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

hendry
i know you guys who the king of pain around the ML but consider this

two years ago we are 5 out away from the WS with 3 of the best young pitchers (wood, prior and Zambrano) in the bigs, our farm system was PACKED with talent and we had a 100 million dollar payroll

we get Greg hall of fucking fame Maddux and Derek Lee we are everyones darling

two years later our farm is barren, only Zambrano still stands and Hendry has signed Jacque fucking Jones and Jeromy Burntiz respectively as our FA moves in the last two years

i have NEVER seen a decline so fast

but players the royals should look at that they could get cheap and who could contribue immediatley are

Rich Hill, Jerome Willams, Micheal Wuertz, possibly Matt Murton

DeJesus could land Hill and perhaps two others of this list

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 3:36 PM EDT   0 recs

I didnt
take Bartman as a sign of a curse... but, the events of the past few years have been truly bizzarre. I cant tell if the cubs have been unlucky (the end of 2004) or just really dysfunctional (2005-6).

either way, not fun.

by DyeFan187 on Jul 27, 2006 3:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

what you have
is a case of poor ownership that demands no accountability from anyone involved because the Cubs as a product are selling

Sun, Ivy  Beer packs the asses in the seats no matter what kind of shit team Hendry produces,

Hendry himself went from being the golden boy to a joke, he signs Glednon Rusch and Neifi to a combined 10 million dollars and Jacque to 16 mill over three years and refuses to value OBP or any kind of metric other than HR

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 3:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Hill
is starting tonight btw agaisnt human gas can Jered Weaver

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 3:39 PM EDT   0 recs

this is waaaay out in left field but
we do this every now and then at bcb- does anyone here listen to the decemberists?

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 5:00 PM EDT   0 recs

Weren't they the Icelandic heavy metal band
Foot Fungus...until they broke up over money?

God, it is good to be home.  My own computer with my own DSL hookup and my own scotch bottle, I am enjoying the vibes.  I can't wait for tonight's game.

Okay, who are the Decemberists?  And, what is the BCB.  I have heard of the BBC, but not the BCB.  I am old enough to remember TCB.  It isn't some Utah based cult is it?

by grudz69 on Jul 27, 2006 5:36 PM EDT   0 recs

ok
bcb is the sports nation blog for the cubs

big traffic nice guy who runs it

the decemberists are a alt rock (i HATE that term) who are pretty damn good

and yes today is a good day for drinknig seeing as how manhattan is getting a bit of rain

by Royals2nd on Jul 27, 2006 5:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm not even going
to go off on you for the cult reference. Not gonna do it.

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 27, 2006 6:30 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

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