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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

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).

Repoz Posted: August 20, 2008 at 06:10 PM | 4 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: sabermetrics

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1. JJ1986 Posted: August 20, 2008 at 06:38 PM (#2910359)

Escobar made a crazy-good catch on a line drive yesterday with the Braves infield drawn in all the way up to the grass. He's got great reflexes and reaction time to go along with good speed and a nice arm.

2. The Kids Are Enright (1k5v3L)

Posted: August 20, 2008 at 06:54 PM (#2910372)

And hopefully y'all sold high on Ryan Braun last week. For real.

Chris Young has incidentally hit worse but fielded better this year.
One of these years he'll put it all together. Watch out, Mike Cameron.

3. Walt Davis Posted: August 20, 2008 at 07:47 PM (#2910425)

Mike Aviles is an above-average SS too? I know his bat has come out of nowhere this season but surely he could have outhit TPJ last year (and the beginning of this year) and now they're telling us he's a good fielder too? Seems like he should have made the majors before 27.

4. J. Michael Neal Posted: August 21, 2008 at 02:42 AM (#2911105)

Of course, I own Escobar in my sim league where range doesn't matter, and Michael Young in my sim league where it does.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

SNY: Salfino: By the Numbers: Hidden values

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