Season 2012 fielding ranking previews

Poor Billy Butler. Was he really that bad at 1B?

No, he was not! I watched most of the Royals games on television last year and Butler mostly DH'd. When he did play 1B he did a good job. Only 3 errors in 165 innings. I don't recall him making any terrible plays. He was solid, just not as good a fielder as Hos. I'd have given him a 3 rating.

As a base runner though he was as slow as a shopping mall.

Range rating is not based on errors, that's what the E-rating is for. Now I didn't see many Royals' games, but how often did Butler range into the hole at 2b and get to a ball, or hustle behind first base to get to a pop up... if's he's as slow as you say, I'm guessing not very often, given the 5 rating he most not be getting to balls that other players at the position routinely make... again, I didn't see him play so I have no first hand knowledge but I'm betting that's the case.

Because I am like the rest of you, when you watch enough games, you do get a sense of the range of fielders. Since I watch all the Twins games (I should get combat pay the past 2 years), I get to see the Royals play quite a bit. As pointed out, Butler has a pretty good glove, but clearly doesn't have the feet quickness. With that said, I don't think he is a statue over at 1B. He seems to react well to the ball and seems like has some range. I would definitely give him a 4 at 1B.

Would I give Butler a 4 because I have Butler in 2 Keeper Leagues? Of course! Actually, I am now thinking he is a 1b-1. Who do I bribe in Glen Head?

Kev

Defensive ratings are the least accurate part of the Strat formula.

watched most of the Royals games on television last year and Butler mostly DH'd

Any time a player has limited time at a position strat will either base the defensive rating on past years or assign a bad rating. Gentry is a good example of this. That guy can fly and covers a lot of ground in the OF. The only player I saw all year with better range was Trout. If he ever gets a chance to play every day he will get a 1 for range.

Ratings are largely a subjective thing with often little basis in reality. A veteran will usually decline for a couple years before his rating begins to go down. And a young or improving player without hype usually takes a little time to get the rating they deserve.

Trout a 1 in all OF slots. Same for Ben Revere.

I like taking guys like that early in live drafts because it gives me a lot of flexibility in the later rounds.