Converting RZR, OOZ to Runs for First Basemen

In previous posts, I took the Revised Zone Rating (RZR) and Out-of-Zone Plays (OOZ) metrics listed at FanGraphs and converted them to runs based on an algorithm developed by Colin Wyers a few years ago.  Links to these posts are provided below:

• Overview of RZR, OOZ

• Conversion of RZR, OOZ to runs

• Shortstops 

• Second basemen

• Third basemen

• Center fielders

Now, I'm going to to do the run conversion for first basemen.  Table 1 below contains the following information for 21 MLB first basemen with 800 or more innings in 2012:

• Inn = Innings

• RZR = Revised Zone Rating

• OOZ = Out-of-Zone Plays

• PIZAA =  Plays in Zone Above Average

• OOZAA = Out-of-Zone Plays Above Average

• PMAA = Total Plays Above Average

• RSAA = Runs Saved Above Average 

Note that these statistics do not account for plays made receiving throws from infielders which is probably the most important duty of a first baseman. They only consider performance on ground balls.

Adrian Gonzalez, who split time with the Red Sox and Dodgers, led the majors with +16 Runs Saved Above Average.  He was followed by Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso at +14.  The worst first baseman by this metric was Paul Konerko of the White Sox (-12). 

Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder was 4 runs above average.  He was better inside the zone (+7 plays above average) than outside the zone (-2 below average).  Other defensive metrics also rated Fielder fairly close to average defensively.  This includes Defensive Runs Saved (-4) and Baseball Prospectus' Fielding Runs Above Average (+1).

Table 1: Runs Saved by MLB First Basemen According to RZR, OOZ, 2012

Player	Team	Inn	RZR	OOZ	PIZ AA	OOZ AA	PMAA	RSAA
Adrian Gonzalez	BOS/LAD	1,246	.865	29	16	3	20	16
Yonder Alonso	SDP	1,276	.829	37	6	11	17	14
Albert Pujols	LAA	1,021	.842	25	8	4	12	10
Carlos Pena	TBR	1,237	.829	31	6	6	12	9
Adam LaRoche	WSN	1,323	.787	38	-1	11	10	8
Joey Votto	CIN	969	.819	25	4	5	9	7
Mark Teixeira	NYY	1,032	.784	32	-2	11	9	7
Casey Kotchman	CLE	1,087	.807	25	3	3	6	5
Prince Fielder	DET	1,392	.823	27	7	-2	5	4
James Loney	LAD/BOS	982	.794	24	0	4	4	3
Ike Davis	NYM	1,222	.799	24	1	-1	-0	-0
Corey Hart	MIL	849	.811	15	2	-2	-1	-0
Justin Morneau	MIN	879	.809	15	2	-3	-1	-1
Paul Goldschmidt	ARI	1,205	.805	21	2	-4	-2	-1
Brandon Belt	SFG	976	.789	19	-1	-1	-2	-1
Carlos Lee	HOU/MIA	1,250	.754	25	-8	-1	-9	-7
Mark Reynolds	BAL	957	.743	16	-5	-4	-9	-7
Freddie Freeman	ATL	1,289	.745	26	-9	-0	-9	-8
Justin Smoak	SEA	1,155	.806	12	2	-12	-10	-8
Eric Hosmer	KCR	1,277	.783	17	-2	-9	-11	-9
Paul Konerko	CHW	886	.756	8	-5	-10	-15	-12

Data source: FanGraphs.com