Errors draw headlines, but how many errors a player makes isn’t the only factor in determining whether said player is a good defender.
There are a handful of advanced metrics that track many, many elements of defense, and the purpose of this list is to use these metrics to show which players are having bad seasons, and which ones are having good seasons. The metrics aren’t perfect, of course, but they’re still a pretty good starting point.
So with that said, let’s be clear about one thing: This list isn’t Sporting News' opinion, but a by-the-numbers look at baseball’s worst defensive performers this season.
For infielders and outfielders with at least 600 innings at a position, we used UZR/150, an advanced metric that measures a player’s total defensive value using factors like range, the amount of runs he prevents with his arm (for outfielders), propensity for turning double plays (for infielders) and whether he commits more or fewer errors than an average defender at his position. The 150 in UZR/150 is scaling the numbers to reflect a 150-game sample, which allows for comparisons between players with different numbers of games.
For catchers with 600 innings we used Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), a cumulative stat that isn’t thorough by any means but is a decent indicator for this admittedly difficult-to-measure position. We’ve used DRS for pitchers, too.
One thing to keep in mind: While defensive statistics have come a long, long way over the past 20 years, they’re still not nearly as definitive as the absolutes provided by offensive and pitching statistics. This is just a look at best to look at multiple years of a player’s data before drawing any final conclusions. (All numbers through Tuesday’s games.)
1B Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays
UZR/150: minus-13.9
Encarnacion is a slugger who hits well enough — 105 homers, .928 OPS since the start of the 2012 season—that the Blue Jays don’t care that he’s on this list.
The three best everyday first basemen by UZR/150
1. Matt Adams, Cardinals, 10.5
2. Albert Pujols, Angels, 9.2
3. Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers, 7.2
2B Jose Altuve, Astros
UZR/150: minus-16.8
Altuve is having an MVP-discussion year at the plate, but his defensive numbers won’t help that candidacy. Defense has always been an issue for him; he had a negative UZR/150 and a negative DRS in his first two full MLB seasons. Still, though, his minus-16.8 UZR/150 places him barely ahead of Neil Walker (minus-16.6) and Jason Kipnis (minus-15.8).
The three best everyday second basemen by UZR/150
1. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox, 19.6
2. Ian Kinsler, Tigers, 12.2
3. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles, 10.3
SS Yunel Escobar, Rays
UZR/150: minus-25.3
This is Escobar’s seventh season as a full-time starting shortstop in the majors, and in the first six, he’s had a positive UZR/150 and a positive DRS. In 2014, he’s been by far the worst shortstop in both categories. In UZR/150, Hanley Ramirez is next, at minus-19.7, and in DRS, Escobar is at minus-19, with no other shortstop worse than minus-11. By standard numbers, he already has 12 errors in 930 1/3 innings this year, after just seven in 1,320 innings last season.
The three best everyday shortstops by UZR/150
1. Zack Cozart, Reds, 15.3
2. Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals, 14.4
3. J.J. Hardy, Orioles, 13.5
3B Lonnie Chisenhall, Indians
UZR/150: minus-24.0
The Indians have been an awful defensive team this year, and Chisenhall is part of the problem. Only Pedro Alvarez and Josh Donaldson have more errors this year at third base than Chisenhall’s 16, but Donaldson (20) has played more than 300 more innings at the position and Alvarez (25) has been so bad he might move to first base permanently.
The three best everyday third basemen by UZR/150
1. Chase Headley, Padres/Yankees, 24.3
2. Josh Donaldson, A’s, 12.2
3. Kyle Seager, Mariners, 10.9
LF Michael Brantley, Indians
UZR/150: minus-14.4
Brantley has had a breakthrough season offensively, to the point where he will be talked about in the MVP conversation in September. His defensive numbers won’t help his case, though. Brantley has played 632 1/3 innings in left field this year, with that minus-14.4 UZR/150 and 373 innings in center field (while Michael Bourn was injured) and been much better, at 1.2 UZR/150.
The three best everyday left fielders by UZR/150
1. Alex Gordon, Royals, 27.2
2. Christian Yelich, Marlins, 13.6
3. Yoenis Cespedes, A’s/Red Sox, 13.5
CF Dexter Fowler, Astros
UZR/150: minus-36.7
No, that’s not a typo. Fowler’s minus-36.7 is correct. His end-of-season UZR has been in negative numbers in all six of his seasons as a big-league starter.
The three best everyday center fielders by UZR/150
1. Juan Lagares, Mets, 32.5
2. Jackie Bradley, Jr., Red Sox, 25.8
3. Billy Hamilton, Reds, 21.0
RF Torii Hunter, Tigers
UZR/150: minus-20.1
Feels odd to put a nine-time Gold Glove outfielder on this list, but the reality is Hunter hasn’t been an elite defender for quite a few years.
The three best everyday right fielders by UZR/150
1. Jason Heyward, Braves, 27.8
2. Nori Aoki, Royals, 8.3
3. Kole Calhoun, Angels, 7.5
C Travis d’Arnaud, Mets
DRS: minus-12
Rookie catcher d’Arnaud only has four errors this season, so that’s not why he’s here. This has more to do with his inability to control the opponents’ running game. Of the 51 runners who have attempted to steal a base, d’Arnaud has only thrown out 10.
The three best everyday catchers by DRS
1. Salvador Perez, Royals, 8
2. Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers, 8
3. Yadier Molina, Cardinals, 7
SP Phil Hughes, Twins
DRS: minus-6
Hughes doesn’t have any official errors this season, but he’s the only qualified starter with a minus-6 rating. Special recognition here for Jimmy Nelson, the rookie starter for Milwaukee who has a minus-5 DRS even though he’s made just seven starts for the Brewers.
The three best starting pitchers by DRS
1. Henderson Alvarez, Marlins, 7
2. Dallas Kuechel, Astros, 7
3. Clayton Kershaw, Johnny Cueto, Julio Teheran tied at 5
RP Jenrry Mejia
DRS: minus-6
Mejia did start the season in the Mets rotation, but he lands in the relief pitcher spot because 40 of his 47 appearances have been from the bullpen.
The three best relief pitchers by DRS
1. Seth Maness, Cardinals, 5
2. Jeremy Affeldt, Giants, 4
3. Many tied at 3