2009 Defensive Ratings opinions

[AeroDave10]

I'd love to hear educated guesses on who will receive "1" defensive ratings at their positions next year. To get everyone started, here are some of my predictions at the top 4 defensive positions:

SS - Troy Tulowitzki, Cesar Izturis, Erick Aybar, Jimmy Rollins, Asdrubal Cabrera

2B - Aaron Hill, Placido Polanco, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Phillips

3B - Scott Rolen, Adrian Beltre, Ryan Zimmerman, Brandon Inge

CF - Adam Jones, Torii Hunter, Carlos Gomez, Franklin Gutierrez, and Mike Cameron

[albert2b]

I think you probably nailed most of them.

I would disagree with Polanco. As good as he's been, I don't think he's ever been a 1 before and SOM rarely gives 1's to someone this late in his career.

Also, in recent years, they seem willing to give 1's to obscure 4th or 5th OF types. Nyjer Morgan, Endy Chavez and Brian Anderson come to mind. Morgan could get the 1 back as he was a full timer in 09.

I'll take a stab at 5 more who might get 1's:

Andrus at SS
Upton in CF
Fowler in CF
Beltran in CF
Sizemore in CF

CF is the most common position to get 1's in recent years. Don't think that will change this year. Not sure about Andrus and Fowler, since SOM has a rep for shunning rookies....but their D is legit.

[AeroDave10]

I wasn't sure about Sizemore and Beltran only because of their injuries. I didn't mention Andrus, either, because of his rookie status. I agree that it's bogus to not give a rookie a good defensive rating just because he hasn't played that much. Just like hitting, if you have a good year defensively, that year's card should reflect that.

Even if Polanco doesn't get a "1", a 2e3 will still be pretty nice :)

I can't tell with corner OFers and catchers. They're too difficult to guess for me.

[keyzick]

I think Jacoby Ellsbury will definitely rate a 1 in CF

[CHARLESBELL]

How about Kevin Kouzmanoff at 3B? The HoF just collected his glove for his record breaking .990 fielding percentage and just 3 errors.

[AeroDave10]

[quote:f99085998c="charliewb"]How about Kevin Kouzmanoff at 3B? The HoF just collected his glove for his record breaking .990 fielding percentage and just 3 errors.[/quote:f99085998c]

He'll be a 3e4 or 2e4 or something, I think. He still ranked pretty low in "range factor" among 3Bs.

[scorehouse]

what about bourne the cf for the astros that led the NL in sbs?

[scorehouse]

escobar for atl. rollins had the fewest errors for the most innings played by far at ss. jeter 2nd.

[AeroDave10]

[quote:0b79aff78d="scorehouse"]what about bourne the cf for the astros that led the NL in sbs?[/quote:0b79aff78d]

I can see Bourn getting a "1". He made some great catches this year and can really cover some ground.

[quote:0b79aff78d="scorehouse"]escobar for atl. rollins had the fewest errors for the most innings played by far at ss. jeter 2nd.[/quote:0b79aff78d]

Escobar and Jeter are going to be no better than "2"s. I just don't see them as having elite range for a SS.

[maligned]

Hal typically reserves high ratings for established fielders, but Ben Zobrist had very high adjusted range ratings and +/- ratings at second base, in addition to making only a couple errors. His scouting report always said that he'd find a position because he's so athletic.
Maybe Hal considers this and grants him a 2 despite playing only half a season at 2B? It's hard to predict what he'll do.