Best Single-Season Runs Saved Totals

Baseball Info Solutions now has over 10 years of Defensive Runs Saved data. Over the last decade, we've witnessed some incredible defensive seasons. A pair of shortstops, Jack Wilson and Adam Everett, saved an estimated 32 and 34 runs in 2005 and 2006, respectively. In 2010, Brett Gardner set the then-record 35 Runs Saved split between left and center field. This season, someone new has broken that record.

Andrelton Simmons now has 37 Runs Saved this season, an impressive total on its own but even more spectacular in context. First, Simmons has set that record with a month and a half left to go in the season. It is possible that Simmons could cost his team runs going forward, but that seems unlikely. If he continues to save runs at this pace, he will run away from his nearest single-season competitors.

Second, Simmons’ pace is supported by more than just the four months this season. Because of the timing of his debut for the Braves in 2012, Simmons has now played 168 games in his career, a few more than he would play in a full, healthy season. In that time, Simmons has saved an incredible 56 runs.

It is pretty clear that Simmons is a special player. Next in his sights will be the career Runs Saved record. He may have a bit of trouble catching the career leader, Adrian Beltre, who continues to add to his current total of 167, but it will be a joy to watch him try.