Hi everyone

This is Mark Simon of Sports Info Solutions (the Defensive Runs Saved folks). I wrote something today about how Nico Hoerner is now 10 Runs Saved better than any other 2nd baseman this season.

Our data differs from OAA/FRV a little bit with him. By our measures he's been amazing at one particular aspect of defensive play = handling balls hit to his right. There's no one at any infield position who compares to him.

Anyway, the article is a short write-up that explains this a little bit with some video examples. If you have any questions about our stats and how they are calculated, ask, and I'll try to answer them here.

9 comments

  2. is it possible to account for defensive positioning at the start of the play? in the video examples you mention the defensive alignment is shifted, and i’m wondering if you know this from stats or from just watching the video. “out probability” i’m sure takes that into account?

    i mostly just watch cubs games so i’m a total homer, but i get the feeling that the cubs coaches and staff that prep the positioning cards are better than most teams. because, again, i’m a homer…. haha

    defensive ratings too me are hard to grasp still because so much has to do with pre-positioning, and the pitch itself (which is why middle infielders also get pitchcom). it feels hard to isolate the player attribute from the other factors that play into it.

    but man it’s come a long way from “hey let’s just give jeter a gold glove…” and i’m so thankful for that. i can’t imagine what defensive stats will look like in 5-10 years.

  5. I’ll always root for Nico, he was the only guy out of 15+ players walking by that stopped and signed a ball for my little brother at spring training a few years back. And he’s a fucking stud on the field.

  7. A cubs 2B being a gold glover is worthy of a reminder of the temper tantrum Brandon Phillips threw when Darwin Barney won it for 2B and ended BPs streak

  9. If your offense has 5 Nico Hoerner’s you’re fucked. If it has 0 Nico Hoerners you’re also fucked

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