The National League is down to four teams now that the Pirates eliminated the Reds last week, but even including Reds, those teams reached the postseason because of their pitching and defense. The top-five teams in the National League in runs allowed this season are also the five teams that…
We’ve all seen it. Runner on first, chopper back to the pitcher for an easy double play…. and the throw sails into center field. While watching a game last week where this exact event occurred, I asked myself who is actually the worst fielding pitcher in all of baseball, and…
The Milwaukee Brewers’ shortstop, Jean Segura, has had an intriguing and puzzling season this year. He has been able to tackle difficult fielding plays, but at the same time, he’s been prone to errors on routine balls hit to him. Segura has made 90 Good Fielding Plays (GFPs) this season,…
The Atlanta Braves have arguably the best defensive shortstop in all of baseball in Andrelton Simmons. The slick-fielding 23-year-old leads MLB in Defensive Runs Saved with 39 in 2013, more than double Pedro Florimon, who is second among shortstops with 18. However, Simmons is not the only 23-year-old in the…
It’s been a rough year for Chicago baseball fans. With disappointing seasons from the likes of Starlin Castro and Paul Konerko, plus the trades of Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rios, Jake Peavy, and Matt Garza, there have few bright spots on either side of town. In a few short weeks, Chicagoans…
One of the most exciting storylines of the 2013 season has been Manny Machado’s breakout. Earlier this month, Machado turned 21 years old, and like Mike Trout and Bryce Harper, he is already among the game’s elite. Machado is a well-rounded player, but his best skill may be defensive. With…
Over the weekend, new Yankee Alfonso Soriano paid early dividends with a home run and a walk-off single against the Rays. It was a big win for the Yankees who, even with the victory, remain 7.5 games back in the division and 7.0 games behind the second-place Rays. Brian Cashman…
If you look only at the recent trend in Defensive Runs Saved totals for Chase Utley, then it looks like he has really declined in skill, defensively. After a prime that saw him save an estimated 115 runs between 2005 and 2010, Utley has just 20 Runs Saved in the…
In case you haven’t noticed, Scott Kazmir has returned to the major leagues. Not only that, but he’s made 17 starts for a contending team, the Cleveland Indians. Kazmir’s fastball velocity sits above 92 mph, at the same level as his 2006-07 peak with the then Devil Rays. He’s mixing…
