2010 Defensive All-Stars
July 13, 2010
With the All-Star Game being played tonight, it’s time to take a look at who
the Defensive All-Stars are. While there isn’t a Home Run Derby for defense,
these fielders’ contributions have had a tremendous impact on their team’s
performance. Here are our current Defensive Runs Saved leaders:
| 2010 Runs Saved Leaders
|
| Position |
Name |
Team |
Runs
Saved |
| P |
Ricky Romero |
Blue Jays |
7 |
| C |
Miguel Olivo |
Rockies |
8 |
| 1B |
Daric Barton |
Athletics |
13 |
| 2B |
Robinson Cano |
Yankees |
16 |
| 3B |
Ryan Zimmerman |
Nationals |
16 |
| SS |
Yunel Escobar |
Braves |
21 |
| LF |
Carl Crawford |
Rays |
13 |
| CF |
Marlon Byrd |
Cubs |
12 |
| RF |
Ichiro Suzuki |
Mariners |
11 |
Three of last year’s Fielding Bible Award winners are the leaders at their
respective positions at the half way point. Ryan Zimmerman is a good bet to
eclipse his total of 22 Runs Saved last year. He is already at 16.
The corner outfielders remain the same as well, as Carl Crawford and Ichiro
Suzuki continue to keep anything and everything from falling in left and right
field. Crawford is first in Plus/Minus among left fielders and has the second
highest Outfield Arm Runs Saved total.
Marlon Byrd is, perhaps surprisingly, the leader in centerfield. Before this
season, Byrd’s highest season Runs Saved total was eight back in 2006 with
Washington. He has already surpassed that and then some.
At first base, our leader is Daric Barton, who is five Runs Saved ahead of
second place Russell Branyan. Four-time Fielding Bible Award winner Albert
Pujols is far behind the pack at a mere two Runs Saved during the season’s first
half.
Two years ago, Robinson Cano cost the Yankees an estimated 13 runs with his
weak glove. Last year, he improved that to +7. This year, he has saved an
estimated 16 runs and is the top second baseman in baseball so far. He may be
the most improved defensive player in all of baseball, a testament to the hard
work he has put in at the keystone.
Yunel Escobar is our All-Star defensive shortstop. His 21 Runs Saved is the
most in baseball at any position. Escobar may be frustrating Braves fans with a
disappointing offensive year, but his defensive performance has largely
compensated for his struggles at the plate.
The battery for our All-Star team is Ricky Romero from the Blue Jays and
Miguel Olivo from the Rockies. Olivo has thrown out 44 percent (18 of 41)
potential basestealers, the best rate of his career.
