SNY: Salfino: By the Numbers: Hidden values

“Bill James Online is the place to “hang” with Bill James.”  And that’s just what Salfino has done. Sorta.

Let’s focus on the two defensive positions that get the most action, shortstop and center field. James looks at a player’s plus/minus number, which is how many plays they have netted relative to those an average fielder at his position would make. There’s no formula involved here; instead, each play is reviewed by the Baseball Information Solutions video scouts.

The Braves’ Yunel Escobar leads the shortstops at plus-27, followed by J.J. Hardy (Brewers, plus-16), Jack Wilson (Pirates, plus-13), Mike Aviles (Royals, plus-11), Omar Vizquel (Giants, plus-10) and Jimmy Rollins (Phillies, plus-9).

Gold Glover Derek Jeter is minus-7, a big improvement over last year (minus-34). But he still struggles moving to his right (minus-15 on balls that direction this year).