Photo: Rick Ulreich/Icon Sportswire 

BY MARK SIMON

We’re two months into the season and we’re just getting to the point where defensive stats tell us a little bit about what’s been going on so far.

Injuries to some prominent players have opened up some space atop the Defensive Runs Saved leaderboard, though if you take a look, you’ll notice several familiar faces at the top of their positions.

Here are the Defensive Runs Saved Leaders at each of the infield and outfield spots, as well as catcher.* If you want to follow along, head over to the Fielding Bible leaderboard page here. You can also click the hyperlinked names to see a top play that player has made.

* 25 pitchers have either 2 or 3 Runs Saved, some in very small samples, so we’ll save that position for a future leaderboard look. And we’ll give some of the multi-position leaders standalone coverage in the next few weeks.

First Base

Christian Walker of the Diamondbacks is going for his third consecutive Fielding Bible Award and he’s currently the position leader in Runs Saved with 6, ahead of Joey Gallo (5 Runs Saved), Bryce Harper (4), and Wilmer Flores (4).

The last two winners before Walker, Matt Olson and Paul Goldschmidt, have some ground to make up. They each have 2 Runs Saved.

Second Base

Four different players have won the Fielding Bible Award at second base the last four years. Marcus Semien of the Rangers has come close but has never won one. He’s currently the position leader with 10 Runs Saved, edging out Ketel Marte (8).

Andrés Giménez, who was last year’s Fielding Bible Award winner on the strength of a strong close to the season, is well behind with 2 Runs Saved.

Third Base

Matt Chapman of the Giants has very much looked the part of a two-time Fielding Bible Award winner the last few weeks. He’s made some terrific plays at the hot corner. With 7 Runs Saved, he’s 3 runs ahead of Max Muncy and Oswaldo Cabrera. Last year’s Defensive Player of the Year, Ke’Bryan Hayes, has missed time due to injury and currently has 3 Runs Saved.

Missing from the list of contenders is five-time Fielding Bible Award winner Nolan Arenado, whose -6 Runs Saved are the worst at the position (and worth examining at another time).

Shortstop

Shortstop is very much a young man’s game and it’s 22-year-old Cardinals rookie Masyn Winn leading the way with 6 Runs Saved. This is likely going to be a crowded top of the leaderboard at season’s end. It is right now with Brayan Rocchio, Ezequiel Tovar, Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson, and Mookie Betts all with 5 Runs Saved.

Last year’s Fielding Bible Award winner, Dansby Swanson, is off to a slow start with the bat and glove. He has -1 Run Saved.

Left Field

Alex Verdugo of the Yankees moved back to left field after spending 2023 exclusively in right field for the Red Sox, where he ranked second in Runs Saved. The move is working. Verdugo’s 9 Runs Saved lead all left fielders. Daulton Varsho’s 7 Runs Saved rank second.

Varsho was our April Co-Defensive Player of the Month and is the overall MLB leader in Runs Saved with 12 (7 in left field, 5 in center field). He co-led all players in Runs Saved last season along with Fernando Tatis Jr.

Steven Kwan, who has won the last two Fielding Bible Awards in left field, has missed time due to injury and currently sits at 4 Runs Saved.

Center Field

It’s tight at the top, with three players leading the way with 6 Runs Saved: Michael A. Taylor (Pirates), Jarren Duran (Red Sox), and Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs). Interestingly, none of them ranks higher than 18th in innings played there this season. Duran has played left field in 7 of the last 8 games. Crow-Armstrong just got called back up from the minors. Taylor is barely hitting .200.

Last year’s Fielding Bible Award winner, Kevin Kiermaier, is in position to pounce. He currently has 3 Runs Saved after missing time due to injury earlier this season.

Right Field

A couple of surprising names lead the way here. Jo Adell of the Angels and Red Sox rookie Wilyer Abreu pace the field with 7 Runs Saved. Kyle Tucker and another rookie, Andy Pages of the Dodgers (who has played more center field than right field), are each just behind with 5 Runs Saved.

Last year’s runaway Fielding Bible Award winner, Fernando Tatis Jr., similar to Arenado, is off to a rough start this season. He’s racked up a considerable number of Defensive Misplays and Errors and stands at -4 Runs Saved.

Catcher

Cal Raleigh of the Mariners has been a top catcher the last three seasons when it comes to both pitch framing and limiting basestealing. This year, that’s placed him atop the Runs Saved leaderboard with 8. Jose Trevino, who won a Fielding Bible Award in 2022, and Patrick Bailey are just behind with 7 Runs Saved.

Last year’s Fielding Bible Award winner, Gabriel Moreno, has not been able to match last year’s performance yet. He has 1 Run Saved.

2024 Defensive Runs Saved Leaders