Fielding Bible Awards

[TOBTTReds]

Folks, the true fielding awards are out. The Fielding Bible awards are now released for this year.

If you really want to see who is the best fielder at their position, look at where the "BIS Video Scouts" rank each player. The video scouts were the ones who saw each one of those players play numerous games. The BIS scouts include about 10 guys, who charted or scored between 350 and 450 games this year. They have a much better read of it than any individual.

http://www.fieldingbible.com/

If you go to "voting" at the menu bar, 4th row down on the drop down you can get the complete rankings. Brandon Phillips finished 3rd overall, 2nd by the video scouts, behind Aaron Hill, who is by far the most underrated 2B in history. Probably because he plays in Canada. Maybe he won't be so underrated anymore though.

David Ross just missed the top 10 for catchers.

[dougdirt]

In the Plus/Minus ratings, Adam Dunn was -29, second worst among left fielders. Interestingly, Ken Griffey Jr was not listed (which means he was listed somewhere between -9 and +5). Brandon Phillips came in at +11 at second, Hatteberg was -10 (5th worst), Edwin was not listed (which means he was between -18 and +6). No other Reds were listed.

[Johnny Footstool]

Austin Kearns tied for second in RF.

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Austin Kearns tied for second in RF.

I attribute that to lack of good RF'ers in general. That group, and the LF'ers are impossible to rank 1-10.

[Johnny Footstool]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

I attribute that to lack of good RF'ers in general. That group, and the LF'ers are impossible to rank 1-10.

Position scarcity in RF?

[pahster]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

I attribute that to lack of good RF'ers in general. That group, and the LF'ers are impossible to rank 1-10.

The plus/minus system is far from perfect, but I think you should read about how its calculated before you assume that.

[dougdirt]

The system is far from perfect, but I think it is the best system available to judge defensive value.

[TOBTTReds]

Originally Posted by pahster

The plus/minus system is far from perfect, but I think you should read about how its calculated before you assume that.

I got it down pretty good. I'm not saying Kearns is a bad fielder, I'm just saying if I were picking the top 5 RF'ers to bring out there on defense with me, I could find others.

Rios
Francoeur
Hart
Markakis
Kearns/Ethier/Victorino find there way in this next group.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

The system is far from perfect, but I think it is the best system available to judge defensive value.

The only girl at the dance is always the prettiest girl.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

The only girl at the dance is always the prettiest girl.

Except that the FB +/- system isn't even close to being the only system out there.

[Falls City Beer]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

Except that the FB +/- system isn't even close to being the only system out there.

Aren't the other systems just cross-dressing males?

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

Aren't the other systems just cross-dressing males?

not all of them.

[blumj]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

Folks, the true fielding awards are out. The Fielding Bible awards are now released for this year.

If you really want to see who is the best fielder at their position, look at where the "BIS Video Scouts" rank each player. The video scouts were the ones who saw each one of those players play numerous games. The BIS scouts include about 10 guys, who charted or scored between 350 and 450 games this year. They have a much better read of it than any individual.

http://www.fieldingbible.com/

If you go to "voting" at the menu bar, 4th row down on the drop down you can get the complete rankings. Brandon Phillips finished 3rd overall, 2nd by the video scouts, behind Aaron Hill, who is by far the most underrated 2B in history. Probably because he plays in Canada. Maybe he won't be so underrated anymore though.

David Ross just missed the top 10 for catchers.

I think the Jays have the best defense in the AL by far, when they're healthy. I'd put their starters 1st at several positions(2B, SS, RF, 1B) and above average just about everywhere.

[PuffyPig]

Originally Posted by Falls City Beer

The only girl at the dance is always the prettiest girl.

But it doesn't mean she is necessarily pretty.

[D-Man]

Originally Posted by AvesIce51

Folks, the true fielding awards are out. The Fielding Bible awards are now released for this year.

If you really want to see who is the best fielder at their position, look at where the "BIS Video Scouts" rank each player. The video scouts were the ones who saw each one of those players play numerous games. The BIS scouts include about 10 guys, who charted or scored between 350 and 450 games this year. They have a much better read of it than any individual.

http://www.fieldingbible.com/

If you go to "voting" at the menu bar, 4th row down on the drop down you can get the complete rankings. Brandon Phillips finished 3rd overall, 2nd by the video scouts, behind Aaron Hill, who is by far the most underrated 2B in history. Probably because he plays in Canada. Maybe he won't be so underrated anymore though.

David Ross just missed the top 10 for catchers.

Thanks for sharing. And I do agree with you about the value of the video scouts.

Just to be clear though--the criteria that the voters used probably includes more than just +/-. The voters probably considered other position-specific responsibilities, like baserunning kills for OF and bunt fielding for 3B, among others. Those responsibilities are not specifically covered in the +/- system, although they are addressed in the book.

Coco Crisp wasn't so hot at the plate in 2007, but he had a nice season in the field (+22). With the emergence of Ellsbury, I imagine that the Red Sox will be looking to deal Coco (and a box of Count Chocula, for good measure) this offseason. Crisp would probably come quite cheap, in terms of talent, if not necessarily in dollars ($4.75M in 08, $5.75M in 09, $8M in 10 with a $500k buyout). Moreover, his power might return in a HR-friendly park like the GABP.

Might be worth looking into.