Average Fielding Ranks for First Basemen 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 first basemen rank. Other positions can be found at the links below:

C 2B 3B SS LF CF RF

The Table below lists Major League first basemen with 600 or more innings in 2006. The leader was perennial MVP candidate Albert Pujols with an AFR of 3.25. Pujols ranked 10th on zone rating but was 1st on the other 3 measures. Adrian Gonzalez finished 2nd at 5.50 and Mark Teixeira was next at 6.75. This year's MVP Ryan Howard finished at the bottom with an AFR of 21.50.

Chris Shelton (AFR=12.00) led the majors in zone ranking but finished 18th in DFT and Fielding Bible awards. Sean Casey, who of course split time with the Pirates and Tigers, had an AFR of 15.75. Like Shelton he was all over the board finishing 4th in zone ranking but 27th in PMR.


Table 1: Average Fielding Ranks for First basemen in 2006

Player	Team	GP	Innings	Best Rank	Worst Rank	Avg
Pujols	StL	143	1244	1	10	3.25
Gonzalez	SD	155	1341	2	8	5.50
Teixeira	Tex	159	1399	2	16	6.75
Mientkiewicz	KC	90	725	2	22	7.50
Overbay	Tor	145	1233	6	18	11.00
Johnson	Oak	85	715	3	20	11.25
Garciaparra	LA	118	1017	5	26	11.75
Johnson	Was	147	1252	8	17	12.00
Morneau	Min	153	1346	8	18	12.00
Shelton	Det	115	913	1	18	12.00
LaRoche	Atl	142	1153	6	20	12.50
Youkilis	Bos	127	1030	4	21	12.50
Lee	TB	112	865	6	21	13.00
Berkman	Hou	112	923	9	20	13.75
Hatteberg	Cin	131	1089	2	23	14.50
Helton	Col	145	1272	7	22	15.00
Sexson	Sea	150	1310	3	26	15.25
Jackson	Ari	129	1079	4	26	15.50
Casey	Det/Pit	106	874	4	27	15.75
Broussard	Cle/Sea	90	642	4	23	16.00
Millar	Bal	98	792	8	24	16.75
Fielder	Mil	152	1319	10	25	17.25
Swisher	Oak	90	700	12	22	17.75
Delgado	NYM	141	1246	7	23	18.25
Konerko	CWS	140	1182	10	27	18.50
Jacobs	Fla	124	972	14	25	20.75
Howard	Phi	159	1412	15	27	21.50