Comments on: Getting Defensive: Author John Dewan Discusses Michael Young’s Move to Third and Defensive Statistical Analysis

By: Brian

Brian — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 14:01:54 +0000

Todd, It’s the Gold Gloves that don’t match-up. They rely too much on what the voters think they see, or reputation. The good news is Young wasn’t even the worst defender to win a Gold Glove last year. I would say that goes to Nate McLouth. He was a -25 and ranked last according to Dewan.

And Chase Utley getting overlooked is a pretty big oversight as well. At least Brandon Phillips isn’t a terrible fielder, like McLouth.

By: ToddInChicago

ToddInChicago — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:04:23 +0000

It would be really interesting if this book helps result in newer and better (and generally accepted) defensive stats for players. I believe the two books list Young and Jeter as two of the worst shortstops over the past few years, and yet, they both win Gold Gloves? Something doesn’t match up, obviously.

Todd

By: dwc

dwc — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:40:50 +0000

This guy and the way he thinks about baseball is absolutely fascinating to me. I bought the first book and couldn’t put it down (although it wasn’t written in a way that could be described as “readable”). I hope you discuss the entire defense of the Rangers with this guy.

By: utb

utb — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:27:17 +0000

Thanks EVAN (my bad)

By: utb

utb — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:22:23 +0000

I’m not sure that he fully explained how the book took us “40% of the way” and book 2 took us “60% of the way.”

It’s an interesting topic – thanks Mike. If the guy thought that Young sucked defensively at SS – he is pretty smart in my book!

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:35:30 +0000

In regards to MY and him having “a number of poor throws last year.” I hope that can be attributed to his hand injury, and him playing through the pain. Either way, I’m a fan of moving Young to third. Is it too soon? Maybe. But the defensive gains from having Vizquel or Andrus in the line up will be worth it. Especially since it shouldn’t be too hard for Young to replace Ramon Vasquez’s -7 at third base last year.