Statscape

Determining a player's defensive ability is difficult whether you're using your eyeballs or a stat sheet. When you see a diving catch, you might wonder whether the dive could have been avoided with better positioning or a better jump. But traditional defensive statistics, such as fielding percentage, are flawed indicators, too. Players can avoid errors by avoiding chances.

As a result, statheads have been trying to concoct better fielding metrics for years. One of the best and most accessible is zone rating, compiled by STATS Inc. STATS divides the field into 22 zones, assigns them to infielders and outfielders and has reporters tabulate the proportion of batted balls that are turned into outs in each fielder's area of responsibility. A fielder's zone rating can go down even if he doesn't commit an error.

Zone rating isn't perfect. Infielders' zone ratings are based strictly on ground balls; a player's ability to range after popups isn't captured, nor is a first baseman's prowess in scooping throws. Outfielders' ratings include some subjectivity by the reporters because assigned zones are larger for fly bails than for line drives. Still, a fielder's zone rating can give fans a reasonable idea of his range.

The majors' best and worst zone ratings, by position, among active everyday players this season:

POS.   BEST

1B     Todd Helton, Rockies           .923
2B     Mark Grudzielanek, Cardinals   .883
SS     Jack Wilson, Pirates           .885
3B     Melvin Mora, Orioles           .815
LF     Reed Johnson, Blue Jays        .931
CF     Jeremy Reed, Mariners          .951
RF     Geoff Jenkins, Brewers         .901

POS.   WORST

1B     Richie Sexson, Mariners        .799
2B     Jose Castillo, Pirates         .775
SS     Russ Adams, Blue Jays          .760
3B     Mark Teahen, Royals            .683
LF     Manny Ramirez, Red Sox         .749
CF     Ken Griffey, Reds              .815
RF     Bobby Abreu, Phillies          .820

Over a full season, major league left fielders will, on average, see 367 fly balls and line drives hit into their zone and catch 318 of them for a zone rating of .867. Based on the percentages in the chart, Johnson would catch 342 and Ramirez would catch 275. Now what the Red Sox need is a rule allowing a second DH in the lineup.

Steve Walters. E-mail him at swalters@loyola.edu.

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