Best Defensive Statistical Measure

BKL · 08-08-2014, 11:51 PM

I'm trying to quickly determine who is having the best defensive performance for the season at various positions.

What's the one best fielding stat to judge a player's overall fielding performance at a position? I realize there are a lot of factors and all the various stats have meaning, but if you were to look at just one quick fielding stat to gauge a player's performance, what would it be? I'm not that familiar with the validity/meaning of the fielding stats.

Thank you!

Brian

Drstrangelove · 08-09-2014, 01:39 PM

I like ZR and Eff for measures of individual performance (not for C or 1B as those seem useless), and I use ZR and BABIP measures of team performance.

ToTheBackstop · 08-09-2014, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKL

What's the one best fielding stat to judge a player's overall fielding performance at a position?

If I can only use one fielding statistic, it would be Zone Runs, which measures how many defensive runs above/below average a player has been. (i.e. a player who has a ZR of +4 has effectively saved his team four runs in the field more than an average defensive player.)

kingtut313 · 08-09-2014, 07:40 PM

ZR for me

JMDurron · 08-09-2014, 11:49 PM

I also use ZR. If there's a sample size issue, I look at EFF, because it's hard to tell the difference between a guy who has been mediocre over a long period and a guy who might be excellent or horrible and just hasn't had time to pile up the positive or negative ZR yet.

Mr. Baseball · 08-10-2014, 05:39 PM

Zone rating only matters at certain positions. Some more than others, I guess all positions have some value for zone rating, but really only use it for analysis on a few. ZR is extremely important for 2B, SS and CF. It is mildly important for LF, RF, and 3B and has very little value to me for pitchers, catchers, and first baseman.

08-08-2014, 11:51 PM	#1
BKL All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 932	Best Defensive Statistical Measure I'm trying to quickly determine who is having the best defensive performance for the season at various positions. What's the one best fielding stat to judge a player's overall fielding performance at a position? I realize there are a lot of factors and all the various stats have meaning, but if you were to look at just one quick fielding stat to gauge a player's performance, what would it be? I'm not that familiar with the validity/meaning of the fielding stats. Thank you! Brian

08-09-2014, 07:40 PM	#4
kingtut313 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 163	ZR for me __________________ Baseball statistics are like a girl in a bikini. They show a lot, but not everything. - Toby Harrah

08-10-2014, 05:39 PM	#6
Mr. Baseball All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mequon, Wisconsin Posts: 1,020	Zone rating only matters at certain positions. Some more than others, I guess all positions have some value for zone rating, but really only use it for analysis on a few. ZR is extremely important for 2B, SS and CF. It is mildly important for LF, RF, and 3B and has very little value to me for pitchers, catchers, and first baseman. __________________ Duluth Danger (HBL) Dynasty Report -- Online League Franchise Duluth - 1985/1989 North League Champions!

08-09-2014, 01:39 PM	#2
Drstrangelove Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 346	I like ZR and Eff for measures of individual performance (not for C or 1B as those seem useless), and I use ZR and BABIP measures of team performance.

08-09-2014, 11:49 PM	#5
JMDurron All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,262	I also use ZR. If there's a sample size issue, I look at EFF, because it's hard to tell the difference between a guy who has been mediocre over a long period and a guy who might be excellent or horrible and just hasn't had time to pile up the positive or negative ZR yet.