BaseballAmerica's AL & NL Best Tools

Big7BenMVP · Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 68457 Location: Camarillo, CA

AL: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/features/264575.html
NL: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/majors/features/264582.html

I was fine until I saw Derek Jeter at #1 for best defensive shorstop.

He's not even the best shortstop on his own team.

People never mention that his FP% (.975) is barely above the lgFP% (.972) but his RF (4.08) is below the lgRF (4.13). He has a higher fielding percentage than the league average because of the fact that he gets to fewer balls than the average shortstop. He's an average defensive shortstop, no way around it.

Go look at A-Rod's defensive ability at SS. His FP% (.977) is higher than the lgFP% (.972) at a better rate than Jeter's. Meanwhile, his RF (4.42) cruches the lgRF (4.15). He makes fewer errors than the average shortstop despite getting to more balls and making a play on them. That shows greatness.

Now go look at Orlando Cabrera. His FP% (.978) is higher than the lgFP% (.970) by a considerable margin while his RF (4.33) kills the league lgRF (3.98). Not to mention that this season, he's owning the American League. He has a .983 FP% while the league is at .969 for the year. His RF is at 4.26 while the league is at 4.03 for the year. That screams volumes as to how great of a defensive shortstop he really is.

The sad part is that David Eckstein --yes, David Eckstein-- is a better defensive shortstop than Derek Jeter. His FP% (.979) is higher than the lgFP% (.973) while his RF (4.25) is higher than the lgRF (4.08). Think about that. David Eckstein, over the course of his career, has been a better defensive shortstop than Derek Jeter.

Yet, Jeter is God.

Don't even get me started on the NL list. Reyes above Vizquel as a defensive shortstop? La Russa as the #2 manager? Please.
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holt_bruce81 · Joined: 23 Oct 2005 Posts: 14283 Location: St. Louis

Molina is the best Defensive Catcher in the NL. and Holliday a better hitter than Pujols, ehhhh........Howard should be ahead of Fielder in power
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SanFran49ers · Joined: 11 May 2005 Posts: 4630 Location: Isla Vista

I disagree with a lot of this list. You touched on the most significant mishap, Jeter being the best defensive SS. You summed up everything pretty well and I agree fully with you.

I also cant beleive that Magglio is ahead of guys like Vlad, Morneau, Sizemore, Sheffield, and A-Rod. What exactly makes Mags a better hitter than any one of these guys?

I could go on about some of the others but I guess its just a matter of opinion.
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2105 yards · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 8270

SmithToGinnTD · Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Posts: 4223

Good to see some Indians on there.

Lofton - 2nd best bunter
Hafner - Best strike zone judgment
Sizemore - 2nd most exciting player
Sabathia - 3rd best slider
Byrd - Best control

The-Beast · Joined: 08 Feb 2006 Posts: 7689 Location: Las Vegas

Mike Cameron isn't even close to a top defensive outfielder this year.

Greg Maddux is the best bunter in the league bar none, he won't get hits off it but he has moved so many runners over I've lost count.

Chris Young had a 1.82 era when this was published, I don't see how he couldn't make the top 3.
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sox+pats#1 · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 9:03 am Post subject:

i dont see how kevin youkilis isn't in the top three for defensive first basemen, he doesn't have an error all year and has the streak for the most games w/o an error for the sox
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quietjets · Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 8855

For once again, Tools DO NOT MEAN the leading statistics.

Jeter has problem with left range and thats it. Cabrera is only good at routine.

Reyes has everything to be best defense in SS whilst Vizquel has shown some slowness than his usual due to his age.

Mags always was always one of the best hitters before his knee was blown. It is nice to see Mags still has good swings for average as he somewhat lost power. Guerrero's swing is very very terrible.

Most of BA's listings are not bad.
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redsoxsrule1437 · Joined: 14 Feb 2007 Posts: 11290 Location: Patriot Place

Youkilis should be on there for strike zone judgement. He is one of the best at that.
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Go Sox!

detfan782004 · Joined: 01 Apr 2005 Posts: 15248

Good to see Verlander in there for both his curveball and fastball. Now he needs to get on track because Det season is almost over with recent choking.
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aj hawk #50 · Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Posts: 8429

Ned Yost the 3rd best manager in the NL? Laughing

The Brewers are so good because of our GM. If we had a better manager, we would be running away with the Central right now.
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HiFi · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 16236 Location: Anaheim, CA

elstevoamigo · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 1799

yea your definetly right about jeter, hes played so bad this season defensively.

bkobow05 · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 6:43 pm Post subject:

Big7BenMVP · Joined: 23 Nov 2004 Posts: 68457 Location: Camarillo, CA