Some Defensive Numbers

From the Hardball Times defense pages, I figured the runs above and below average for every player. The methodology is simple: Compare plays made/ balls in zone to league average for your position (figure AL and NL averages separately) and the out of zone plays per inning compared to league average.

For the Angels, the defense has been good, +10 runs so far as a team. Leading the way are Casey Kotchman (+7) and Erick Aybar (+6). Please, let there be no broken bones in Aybar's hand. Figgins is +2 at third and Vlad a surprising +2 in right (he has made some nice catches on the line and in foul ground lately). Torii Hunter's Stats zone rating and BIS revised zone ratings are not great, but his 19 out of zone catches help him, and his overall rating is an acceptable -1. Gary Matthews Jr is -4 in left (-3 overall among 3 spots) and Matt Brown managed a -2 rating based on one game. He made one play, two errors, and another BIZ went for a hit.

The St Louis Redbirds of Missouri at +26 have the best team defensive rating. Mostly, it's the infield. Pujols is +5, Kennedy +5, Izturis +4. These guys usually rate well. Then at 3rd base Troy Glaus has a +9 rating! Who would have thought he'd be playing D like Scott Rolen? It may be a fluke, or a shortcoming of the zone rating stats, who knows.

Others having standout defensive years are Carl Crawford (+9), Adrian Beltre (+8), Chipper Jones (+8), and Carlos Gomez (+7). At the bottom is Vernon Wells (-15), usually a good CF. His RZR (67/81) is not great, but what really kills him is only 8 out of zone plays, about 10 below average.