Runs Created by Position

Yesterday, I ranked American League catchers by runs created per game (RC/G). Today, I present the rest of the positions with comments.

First basemen

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Hafner	CLE	9.7	122
2	Giambi	NYA	9.1	103
3	Ortiz	BOS	8.7	136
4	Teixeira	TEX	8.5	142
5	Sexson	SEA	8	122
6	Shelton	DET	6.9	70
7	Konerko	CHA	6.8	103
8	Sweeney	KC	6.6	81
9	Stairs	KC	6.6	70
10	LeCroy	MIN	6	50
11	Palmeiro	BAL	5.8	59
12	Pena	DET	5.7	42
13	Johnson	OAK	5.6	56
14	Hillenbrand	TOR	5.5	86
15	Hinske	TOR	5.3	69
16	Lee	TB	5.1	55
17	Erstad	LAA	5	82
18	Young	DET	5	64
19	Broussard	CLE	5	64
20	Hatteberg	OAK	4.8	61
21	Millar	BOS	4.8	58
22	Martinez	NYA	4.8	41
23	Morneau	MIN	4.4	61

Chris Shelton finished 6^th among first basemen creating 6.9 runs per game. Remember from yesterday’s discussion that this means that a line-up of nine Sheltons would have theoretically scored 6.9 runs per game. I’d be pretty happy if this one Shelton could produce at the same level for a full season (6.9). Roller coaster Carlos Pena (5.7) finished in the middle of the pack after a horrid start, a trip to Toledo and a strong finish. And yes, runs created does penalize a player for strikeouts. Dmitri Young (5.0) finished near the bottom of the list. Young appears to be on the decline so I hope they manage to move him somehow this off season. Despite his tendency for terrible slumps, I’d rather see Pena get at bats than Young.

Second basemen

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Roberts	BAL	8	114
2	Polanco	DET	7.6	64
3	Ellis	OAK	7.1	78
4	Kennedy	LAA	6	65
5	Cantu	TB	6	95
6	Belliard	CLE	5.3	75
7	Iguchi	CHA	5.2	72
8	Soriano	TEX	5.2	89
9	Green	TB	4.6	42
10	Hudson	TOR	4.6	57
11	Cano	NYA	4.4	59
12	Gotay	KC	3.9	31
13	Boone	SEA	3.8	29
14	Infante	DET	3.5	41
15	Bellhorn	BOS	3.4	28
16	Punto	MIN	3.3	36

Placido Polanco (7.6) was outstanding in a half season for the Tigers. Polanco had a career year this year and I’d be surprised if he did as well next year. He’s always been an underrated player though so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be among the leaders at his position again next year. Omar Infante had a bad year after an apparent break out year last year. He’s still only 23 years old but will have a hard time getting a regular job back anytime soon.

Third basemen

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Rodriguez	NYA	9.1	138
2	Mueller	BOS	6	81
3	Mora	BAL	6	94
4	Figgins	LAA	5.8	99
5	Chavez	OAK	5.7	96
6	Inge	DET	5.2	87
7	Crede	CHA	5	60
8	Hill	TOR	5	48
9	Blalock	TEX	4.7	83
10	Beltre	SEA	4.7	79
11	Teahen	KC	4.2	52
12	Gonzalez	TB	4.2	40
13	Koskie	TOR	4	39
14	Cuddyer	MIN	3.9	45
15	Boone	CLE	3.8	55

It may come as a surprise to some Tiger fans that Brandon Inge (5.2) finished as high as sixth. The problem with Inge is that most of his hitting was done in the first half. Inge has made great strides over the past couple of years but has still not put up a full season of good hitting and many feel he is better suited to the super sub role.

Shortstops

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Young	TEX	7.6	125
2	Peralta	CLE	6.9	92
3	Tejada	BAL	6.5	110
4	Lugo	TB	6.4	102
5	Jeter	NYA	6.3	106
6	Crosby	OAK	5.3	48
7	Guillen	DET	5	42
8	Renteria	BOS	4.9	82
9	Adams	TOR	4.8	64
10	Cabrera	LAA	4.3	64
11	Uribe	CHA	4.3	58
12	Scutaro	OAK	4.3	45
13	Berroa	KC	4.2	68

After a near MVP caliber season last year, Carlos Guillen (5.0) spent the season going on and off the disabled list. His knee is supposedly going to be at full strength by next spring but I’m skeptical. Infante might be getting a lot of bats there next year too.

Left fielders

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Ramirez	BOS	9.2	134
2	Catalanotto	TOR	7.1	77
3	White	DET	6.8	65
4	Matsui	NYA	6.8	110
5	Crawford	TB	6.6	111
6	Dellucci	TEX	6.5	78
7	Ibanez	SEA	6.3	103
8	Crisp	CLE	6.3	97
9	Anderson	LAA	5.6	86
10	Winn	SEA	5.2	54
11	Johnson	TOR	5.1	55
12	Everett	CHA	5.1	69
13	Kielty	OAK	5.1	53
14	Stewart	MIN	4.8	71
15	Long	KC	4.7	58
16	Podsednik	CHA	4.7	62
17	Mench	TEX	4.7	72
18	Surhoff	BAL	3.6	30
19	Womack	NYA	3	28

I was a bit surprised to see Rondell White (6.8) ranked as high as he was. As usual, he did spend a lot of time on the DL though. He’s a free agent this off season and his status is unclear. He’s a nice guy to have as a part time outfielder/designated hitter but they need left-handed bats so I’m not sure what will happen with him.

Center fielders

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Damon	BOS	6.6	104
2	Sizemore	CLE	6.4	107
3	DeJesus	KC	6.4	77
4	Kotsay	OAK	5.6	86
5	Wells	TOR	5.6	93
6	Hunter	MIN	5.5	55
7	Matos	BAL	5.3	55
8	Ford	MIN	5.1	73
9	Rowand	CHA	4.9	76
10	Williams	NYA	4.7	63
11	Hollins	TB	4.7	45
12	Matthews	TEX	4.6	60
13	Logan	DET	3.9	35
14	Reed	SEA	3.8	52
15	Finley	LAA	3.5	41

Even with stolen bases included in the RC/G formula, Nook Logan (3.9) didn’t do much to create runs. It would be great if they could utilize his speed and outfield range but he doesn’t hit well enough to get regular at bats in the majors. Curtis Granderson did not get enough plate appearances to qualify for the list but his 6.3 runs created per game would have put him 4^th on the list. Like I said about Shelton, if he can do that for a full season, I’ll be very pleased.

Right fielders

Rank	Player	Team	RC/G	RC
1	Guerrero	LAA	8.6	113
2	Sheffield	NYA	8.5	131
3	Gomes	TB	7.2	67
4	Ordonez	DET	6.9	54
5	Suzuki	SEA	6.5	114
6	Brown	KC	6.4	92
7	Nixon	BOS	6.3	70
8	Gibbons	BAL	6	78
9	Dye	CHA	5.5	78
10	Rivera	LAA	5.4	51
11	Monroe	DET	5.4	82
12	Huff	TB	5.3	84
13	Jones	MIN	5.1	75
14	Swisher	OAK	4.8	63
15	Rios	TOR	4.1	54
16	Blake	CLE	3.8	56
17	Hidalgo	TEX	3.7	33
18	Sosa	BAL	3.5	39

Magglio Ordonez missed the first half of the season with a hernia but had a solid second half producing 6.9 runs per game. It would be good to see a full season of Ordonez but I’m still a little concerned about his knee holding up. He looked like he had a great deal of trouble moving around last year and I’m not convinced his hernia was not related to his knee rehab. Craig Monroe played all three outfield positions and would have finished somewhere in the middle of any of the positional lists. He’s been a durable and versatile outfielder giving average production the last couple of years but I suspect he may be traded as they attempt to become more left-handed.