Runs created by position in 2007 (part 3)

Today, I'll finish up my series of articles on runs created by position. Parts 1 and 2 can be found here:

part 1
part 2

with 9.7 runs created per game, Alex Rodriguez created almost 3 runs per game more than Chone Figgins (6.8), the runner-up at the third base position. Brandon Inge (4.1 RC/G) finished 13th among 15 players with 300 or more plate appearances. He's a great fielder but I think he'll need to improve on his run production next year if he's going to keep his starting job. In 2006, Inge finished 6th with 4.8 RC/G.

Table 1: Runs Created by AL third basemen in 2007

Rank	Player	Team	PA	R/G	RC
1	Rodriguez	NYA	708	9.7	154
2	Figgins	LAA	503	6.8	81
3	Lowell	BOS	653	6.4	101
4	Glaus	TOR	456	6.0	66
5	Iwamura	TB	559	5.6	77
6	Izturis	LAA	374	5.5	51
7	Beltre	SEA	639	5.4	92
8	Blake	CLE	662	5.1	86
9	Chavez	OAK	379	4.6	47
10	Fields	CHA	418	4.6	51
11	Mora	BAL	527	4.5	63
12	Gordon	KC	601	4.4	69
13	Inge	DET	577	4.1	62
14	Vazquez	TEX	345	3.6	33
15	Punto	MIN	536	2.7	39

In a weak year for left fielders, Hideki Matsui led the league with 6.5 RC/G. He was followed by Carlos Crawford (6.3) and Manny Ramirez (6.2). The only qualifying Tiger, Craig Monroe, finished last with 2.9 RC/G. The Tigers should improve on that next year by default. Ryan Raburn (5.4 RC/G in limited action last year) or (Marcus Thames (5.3 RC/G lifetime) might be good in a platoon. However, Timo Perez (3.9 RC/G lifetime) would probably not be the best left-handed platoon partner.

Table 2: Runs Created by AL left fielders in 2007

Rank	Player	Team	PA	R/G	RC
1	Matsui	NYA	634	6.5	100
2	Crawford	TB	627	6.3	100
3	Ramirez	BOS	569	6.2	84
4	Ibanez	SEA	636	6.2	97
5	Anderson	LAA	450	6.0	68
6	Willits	LAA	518	5.5	68
7	Kubel	MIN	466	5.4	64
8	Stewart	OAK	630	5.0	80
9	Catalanotto	TEX	377	5.0	47
10	Tyner	MIN	328	3.9	34
11	Payton	BAL	470	3.7	47
12	Brown	KC	397	3.7	39
13	Lind	TOR	311	3.4	29
14	Johnson	TOR	307	3.1	25
15	Monroe	DET	372	2.9	31

Curtis Granderson led all AL center fielders with 7.8 RC/G in 2007. He will likely need to improve against left-handed pitching in order to match that rate in 2008. I think that will happen but I'm not sure we can expect him to do much better. Ichiro Suzuki (7.2) and Grady Sizemore (7.1) were next in line among center fielders.

Table 3: Runs Created by AL center fielders in 2007

Rank	Player	Team	PA	R/G	RC
1	Granderson	DET	676	7.8	126
2	Suzuki	SEA	736	7.2	123
3	Sizemore	CLE	748	7.1	123
4	Upton	TB	548	6.9	92
5	Swisher	OAK	659	6.3	99
6	Lofton	TEX	363	6.2	54
7	Hunter	MIN	650	5.6	96
8	Damon	NYA	605	5.6	83
9	Byrd	TEX	454	5.5	62
10	Matthews Jr.	LAA	579	4.8	72
11	DeJesus	KC	703	4.7	83
12	Cabrera	NYA	612	4.4	71
13	Patterson	BAL	503	4.4	59
14	Crisp	BOS	591	4.3	67
15	Wells	TOR	642	4.1	71
16	Owens	CHA	389	3.7	38
17	Erstad	CHA	347	3.5	33

Magglio Ordonez (9.5 RC/G) easily led all right fielders including Vladimir Guerrero (7.7) and Jack Cust (7.6). Magglio's previous high was 7.9 runs per game so I wouldn't expect him to repeat his 2007 performance. He did create 7+ runs per game regularly before his injury though so I think we can expect that kind of production in 2008.

Table 4: Runs Created by AL right fielders in 2007

Rank	Player	Team	PA	R/G	RC
1	Ordonez	DET	679	9.5	142
2	Guerrero	LAA	660	7.7	119
3	Cust	OAK	507	7.6	87
4	Buck	OAK	334	6.4	52
5	Rios	TOR	711	6.4	111
6	Abreu	NYA	699	6.1	104
7	Markakis	BAL	710	6.0	108
8	Guillen	SEA	659	5.9	97
9	Gomes	TB	394	5.5	55
10	Drew	BOS	552	5.4	72
11	Cuddyer	MIN	623	5.4	84
12	Gutierrez	CLE	301	5.0	40
13	Dye	CHA	561	4.9	72
14	Teahen	KC	608	4.7	74
15	Young	TB	681	4.3	78
16	Nixon	CLE	354	4.1	36
17	Cruz	TEX	333	3.3	30

David Ortiz (9.5 RC/G), Jim Thome (7.8) and Magglio Ordonez (6.5) were the three leading run producers among designated hitters. Sheffield should be able to repeat that figure or do better if he is healthy in 2008. At his age, a full recovery and a full-season is somewhat questionable however.

Table 5: Runs Created by AL designated hitters in 2007

Rank	Player	Team	PA	R/G	RC
1	Ortiz	BOS	667	9.5	136
2	Thome	CHA	536	7.8	94
3	Sheffield	DET	593	6.5	93
4	Thomas	TOR	624	6.3	94
5	Hafner	CLE	661	6.2	98
6	Giambi	NYA	303	5.9	43
7	Vidro	SEA	625	5.5	84
8	Butler	KC	360	5.5	49
9	Huff	BAL	603	5.2	80
10	Sosa	TEX	454	4.6	55
11	Piazza	OAK	329	4.5	39