Cabrera Contributed to a Third of Tigers Runs in 2012

Yesterday, I introduced the Runs Assisted (RAS) statistic which gives players credit for runs to which they contributed without getting a run scored or RBI.  It was brought to my attention last night that others including Tom Tango and Bill James Online have tried similar things in the past.  There is a good discussion on different definitions and possibilities for further research at Tango's Book blog. 

One way Tango's definition of Runs Assisted (he called it Batter Assists)  differed from mine is that he gave a batter credit for an assist if they advanced a runner and that runner scored on a triple or home run.  I do not currently give a player an assist in that scenario because the run would have scored without  the home run.  However, one could also argue that the batter did advance a runner and the run did score, so he should get credit it for it as if a single scored the run instead of a homer.

I will look into alternative definitions of Runs Assisted when I go back to other years, but for now I'm keeping the definition I outlined yesterday.  These are the criteria for Runs Assisted:

• A batter advances a runner on first to either second or third with a single, double, base on balls, hit batsmen, error, sacrifice bunt, or another kind of out.  If that runner then scores, the batter who advanced him is given a Run Assisted. If the run scored on a triple or home run, a Run Assisted would not be credited, because the advancement would be unnecessary in scoring the run.

• A batter advances a runner on second to third with a single, base on balls, hit batsmen, error, sacrifice bunt, or an other kind of out.  If that runner then scores, the batter who advanced him is given a Run Assisted.  If the run scored on a double, triple or home run, a Run Assisted would not be credited, because the advancement would be unnecessary in scoring the run.

• A batter reaches base and is removed for a pinch runner or is replaced by another runner on a force out.  If the new runner then scores, the batter who originally reached base is given a Run Assisted.

Table 1 below lists the Tigers with at least 10 Runs Assisted in 2012.  The leaders are Prince Fielder (40) and Miguel Cabrera (39).  You might notice that Austin Jackson (33) falls below Delmon Young (35) and Brennan Boesch (34).  This is because AJax, as a lead-off hitter,  gets more opportunities for runs scored than either RAS or RBI.

Table 1: Tigers Runs Assisted Leaders, 2012

Player	PA	R	RBI	RAS
Prince Fielder	690	83	108	40
Miguel Cabrera	697	109	139	39
Delmon Young	608	54	74	35
Brennan Boesch	503	52	54	34
Austin Jackson	617	103	66	33
Jhonny Peralta	585	58	63	25
Andy Dirks	344	56	35	25
Ramon Santiago	259	19	17	23
Quintin Berry	330	44	29	20
Alex Avila	434	42	48	19
Omar Infante	241	27	20	19
Ryan Raburn	222	14	12	15
Danny Worth	90	9	3	11
Gerald Laird	191	24	11	10

Table 2 shows the Tigers Runs Participated In (RPI) leaders in 2012.  As a reminder, the formula is RPI = RS + RBI + RAS - HR.  Not surprisingly, Cabrera (243), Fielder (201) and Jackson (186) participated in more runs than any of their teammates.  In fact, Cabrera contributed to a third (33%) of the Tigers 726 runs in 2012.   

Table 1: Tigers Runs Participated In Leaders, 2012

Player	PA	R	RBI	RAS	HR	RPI
Miguel Cabrera	697	109	139	39	44	243
Prince Fielder	690	83	108	40	30	201
Austin Jackson	617	103	66	33	16	186
Delmon Young	608	54	74	35	18	145
Jhonny Peralta	585	58	63	25	13	133
Brennan Boesch	503	52	54	34	12	128
Andy Dirks	344	56	35	25	8	108
Alex Avila	434	42	48	19	9	100
Quintin Berry	330	44	29	20	2	91
Omar Infante	241	27	20	19	4	62
Ramon Santiago	259	19	17	23	2	57
Gerald Laird	191	24	11	10	2	43
Ryan Raburn	222	14	12	15	1	40
Danny Worth	90	9	3	11	0	23
Don Kelly	127	14	7	1	1	21

The information used here was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet.  Interested parties may contact Retrosheet at Retrosheet.org.