Average Fielding Ranks for Center Fielders in 2006

In an earlier post, I introduced my system for combining fielding metrics. I rank players at each position on 4 fielding evaluation systems (ZR, PMR, DFT and Fielding Bible Awards) and arrive at an Average Fielding Rank (AFR). Today, I'll look at how the center fielders rank. Other positions can be found at the links below:

C 1B 2B 3B SS LF RF

The Table below lists Major League center fielders with 600 or more innings in 2006. The leader was Carlos Beltran of the Mets with an AFR of 2.75. Beltran's ranks ranged from 1st on PMR and Fielding Bible Awards to 6th on zone rating. Next on the list was Corey Patterson of the Orioles at 3.50. Ken Griffey Jr., once one of baseballs finest center fielders, finished last at 25.25.

Curtis Granderson finished 3rd in baseball with an Average Fielding Rank of 6.50. I still hear talk, mostly from fans, about him being more suitable for a corner outfield spot but the evidence suggests otherwise. He finished 1st in DFT, 5th in the Fielding Bible Awards. 9th in PMR and 11th in Zone Ranking.


Table 1: Average Fielding Ranks for center fielders in 2006

Player	Team	GP	Innings	Best Rank	Worst Rank	Avg
Beltran	NYM	136	1184	1	6	2.75
Patterson	Bal	134	1079	1	7	3.50
Granderson	Det	157	1312	1	11	6.50
Taveras	Hou	138	1117	1	10	7.25
Pierre	ChC	162	1426	2	16	8.75
Anderson	CWS	134	966	2	18	9.25
Cameron	SD	141	1244	5	14	9.75
Edmonds	StL	99	792	7	13	10.50
Gathright	KC/TB	130	1017	6	19	10.50
Byrnes	Ari	123	1051	5	20	11.75
Hunter	Min	143	1232	5	20	12.75
Wells	Tor	150	1290	3	21	12.75
Jones	Atl	153	1317	2	25	13.50
Sizemore	Cle	160	1379	9	22	13.75
Figgins	LAA	96	829	12	18	14.75
Rowand	Phi	107	901	12	22	14.75
Damon	NYY	131	1087	4	23	15.25
Duffy	Pit	77	672	4	21	15.50
Baldelli	TB	91	749	11	20	16.50
Crisp	Bos	103	901	5	26	16.50
Finley	SF	130	973	9	23	16.50
Clark	Mil	114	911	7	21	17.00
Matthews	Tex	142	1227	3	24	17.00
Sullivan	Col	114	841	17	25	20.00
Kotsay	Oak	127	1047	13	26	21.50
Lofton	LA	120	961	20	26	22.50
Griffey	Cin	100	870	20	27	25.25