part 1
After finishing first among AL center fielders with 7.8 runs created per game in 2007, Curtis Granderson finished third with 6.5 RC/G in 2008. He trailed only Josh Hamilton and Grady Sizemore who each created 7 runs per game. Hopefully, Grandy will come out of the gates healthy next year and put up even better numbers.
This week, Curtis heads for China.
Table 3: Runs Created by AL center fielders in 2008
Rank | Player | Team | PA | RC/G | RC |
1 | Hamilton | TEX | 704 | 7.0 | 117 |
2 | Sizemore | CLE | 745 | 7.0 | 123 |
3 | Granderson | DET | 629 | 6.5 | 100 |
4 | Byrd | TEX | 462 | 6.1 | 68 |
5 | Upton | TB | 640 | 5.6 | 88 |
6 | Wells | TOR | 466 | 5.5 | 66 |
7 | Hunter | LAA | 608 | 5.5 | 85 |
8 | Crisp | BOS | 409 | 4.8 | 51 |
9 | Ellsbury | BOS | 609 | 4.8 | 75 |
10 | Jones | BAL | 514 | 4.2 | 58 |
11 | Reed | SEA | 312 | 4.0 | 33 |
12 | Gomez | MIN | 614 | 3.7 | 63 |
13 | Cabrera | NYA | 453 | 3.5 | 42 |
14 | Gathright | KC | 315 | 3.5 | 29 |
15 | Gonzalez | OAK | 316 | 3.1 | 27 |
In a weak year for AL shortstops, Mike Aviles of the Royals created 5.9 runs per game in limited playing time. He was followed by Derek Jeter (5.1 RC/G) and Johnny Peralta (4.9).
The Tigers Edgar Renteria was 14th out of 17 qualifying shortstops with 4.0 runs created per game. It was his lowest rate since 2001 and he has a career average of 4.9 RC/G. So, even at age 33, I would expect somewhat of a rebound next year. The problem is his range is about gone and I think the Tigers are likely looking for a better defensive shortstop.
Table 1: Runs Created by AL shortstops in 2008
Rank | Player | Team | PA | RC/G | RC |
1 | Aviles | KC | 441 | 5.9 | 66 |
2 | Jeter | NYA | 668 | 5.1 | 87 |
3 | Peralta | CLE | 664 | 4.9 | 85 |
4 | Young | TEX | 708 | 4.7 | 85 |
5 | Scutaro | TOR | 592 | 4.5 | 67 |
6 | Aybar | LAA | 375 | 4.5 | 44 |
7 | Punto | MIN | 377 | 4.5 | 44 |
8 | Eckstein | TOR | 303 | 4.5 | 34 |
9 | Bartlett | TB | 494 | 4.4 | 56 |
10 | Lowrie | BOS | 306 | 4.3 | 34 |
11 | Cabrera | CHA | 730 | 4.3 | 81 |
12 | Izturis | LAA | 321 | 4.3 | 36 |
13 | Harris | MIN | 490 | 4.2 | 54 |
14 | Renteria | DET | 547 | 4.0 | 58 |
15 | Lugo | BOS | 307 | 3.8 | 31 |
16 | Betancourt | SEA | 590 | 3.7 | 60 |
17 | Crosby | OAK | 605 | 3.3 | 54 |
with 7.6 runs created per game, Alex Rodriguez once again dominated the third base position. Rookie Evan Longoria and Casey Blake were tied for second at 6.3 RC/G. Tigers third sacker Carlos Guillen finished fourth at 5.9 RC/G. Right now, the plan is for Brandon Inge (4.0 RC/G) to play third next year. There were thirteen regular 3Bs who did better than that last year. The median RC/G for the position was 5.3.
Table 2: Runs Created by AL third basemen in 2008
Rank | Player | Team | PA | RC/G | RC |
1 | Rodriguez | NYA | 594 | 7.6 | 107 |
2 | Longoria | TB | 508 | 6.3 | 80 |
3 | Blake | CLE | 368 | 6.3 | 55 |
4 | Guillen | DET | 489 | 5.9 | 69 |
5 | Vazquez | TEX | 347 | 5.6 | 47 |
6 | Gordon | KC | 571 | 5.4 | 76 |
7 | Mora | BAL | 570 | 5.3 | 78 |
8 | Beltre | SEA | 612 | 5.3 | 83 |
9 | Rolen | TOR | 467 | 5.1 | 59 |
10 | Lowell | BOS | 468 | 4.9 | 59 |
11 | Figgins | LAA | 520 | 4.7 | 61 |
12 | Aybar | TB | 362 | 4.6 | 43 |
13 | Crede | CHA | 373 | 4.3 | 43 |
14 | Hannahan | OAK | 501 | 3.7 | 48 |
15 | Uribe | CHA | 353 | 3.5 | 34 |
Good stuff as usual, Lee. Two comments.
ReplyDeleteOne, runs created above replacement is a better measure of relative player value than straight runs created. Simply subtract out about 75% of league-average runs created given the same number of outs froma player's RC total. (I actually use 73% for AL players and 78% for NL players because AL pitching is stronger.)
Two, RC/G is cute, but overrates OBP. Although, since it's one of the few metrics to do so, it's not a big thing.
Sky, I sometimes use the Runs Created Above Average which Lee Sinnis invented. I think it's similar to RCAR. I've always preferred "above average" to "above replacement". I know most sabers prefer replacement but I've always felt that replacement level is too arbitrary. What's replacement for one team is not necessarily replacement level for another team.
ReplyDeleteI like RC/G because it's very intuitive. Not all my readers are sabers and I think most can relate to the concept of "a line-up of nine Curtis Granderson's will score 6.5 runs per game".
Lee
Lee, good call about the accessibility factor.
ReplyDeleteMight I suggest converting RC into RC above average, then? It will at least reward the players who don't use up many outs more accurately than straight RC.