Think we're a bad fielding team?

by DartmouthCubsFan on Jun 7, 2007 10:28 AM CDT

think again

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pkimQBCeCjbhlRcEb9PBbfw

The spreadsheet in the link above is used for "Ultimate Zone Rating" and is considered one of the most "cutting edge" fielding metrics

I came across this link while reading an article on hardballtimes.com

(http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/ten-things-i-didnt-know-last-week38/)

Right now as a team we're #1 in all of baseball with +41 Runs. The team leader is Soriano in LF with +9 Runs and Pie has already been +6 runs in CF in limited time.

The worst fielder on the team.....

Caesar Izturis -3 Runs (thoughts BlueMike?)

on top of that we've had the best OF defense in all of baseball.

for those JD Drew supporters out there this past offseason he's near the bottom of the list with -13 Runs.

When you think about some of the pitchers we have with low BABIPs (Hill, Lilly, Marquis) all come to mind as pitchers that had been having more early season success than their peripherals suggested, this would make quite a bit of sense that our fielding had been superior to this point in the season in terms of covering ground and getting to balls.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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The only guy on the team...

...in the negatives?

Cesar Izturis.

Affirmed.

by cwyers on Jun 7, 2007 10:31 AM CDT reply actions

to me playing Izturis is simply to give Theriot a

rest. Theriot is hitting the ball with authority and working the counts and is fielding his position(s) when called upon. Isturis should only play if an infielder is injured (like now) or to give Theriot and DeRosa a day off.

As for Soriano, I felt all along playing him in LF was a strength and now Pie is sticking hard the problem is getting Floyd on the field as often as possible and not Jones

Harry Carey: 3 & 2, 2-out, no place to put him...tying run on 3rd...winning run on 2nd...THE PITCH....HEE POOOOPPPED....IT UP!

by Ivy Walls on Jun 7, 2007 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Me thinks...

BlueMike may be taking a break for a bit.

by Damen Jackson on Jun 7, 2007 11:27 AM CDT reply actions

In fairness...

it doesn't appear to include catchers, which is where our defense has been arguably the weakest. But it is telling that Izturis is dead last. While I've disagreed all season with the thought that Izturis is anything impressive defensively, I had been under the belief that he was mediocre. But if he's been a liability defensively then he REALLY shouldn't be out there.

by SouthernCub on Jun 7, 2007 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

One thing to caution

ia that all this really talks about is catching the baseball. It doens't rank throwing to the right base, hitting the cut off guy, turning double plays ...

It also goe sto show how difficult it is to quantify defense (whicih is differnt than fileding as fielding is one component of defense). Anyone who has any critical eye towards baseball knows that the Cubs are not a good defensive team.

by NO100 on Jun 7, 2007 12:36 PM CDT reply actions

On LOHO

I breifly made mention of this. Though did not use the Zone Rating, there is nothing wrong with the Cubs defense.

Interesting find though.

Faith Plus One - Contributing Editor -http://www.inaleagueofherown.com

by Faith plus 1 on Jun 7, 2007 2:28 PM CDT reply actions

Nothing wrong

with the Cubs defense?

Matt Murton in RF may be the most terrible thing I have EVER seen in RF for the Cubs. Anyone but PIE or Pagan in CF has made me cringe whenever a ball has been hit in that direction.

Right field defense has been a pitiful thing to watch. I believe we can attribute at least two of our losses to poor RF play.

On the whole, however, to be fair, these guys are all starting to play better, imo.

"I lof to hit de home ron."

by Tekboy on Jun 8, 2007 11:35 AM CDT reply actions