AJ's defense - The stats don't lie - he's been one of the

[maggsmaggs]

Check out these stats for AJ:

 

AJ leads MLB in fielding percentage at .998.

AJ is FOURTH in caught stealing percentage at 34.5%

 

 

 

So while he isn't hitting well, let's give him a congrats for being arguably the best defensive catcher in baseball this year plus he calls an excellent game.

[chw42]

A.J. has a +2 in Plus/Minus Stolen Base Runs, good for 5th in MLB and first in the American League.

 

Not bad at all.

Edited July 25, 2010 by chw42

[Knackattack]

A.J. has a +2 in Plus/Minus Stole Base Runs, good for 5th in MLB and first in the American League.

 

Not bad at all.

I'll take it. It'd be nice if he could pick it up with the bat, but at least he is helping on the field.

[Balta1701]

It's worth noting that the pitchers have given him a lot more help this year too. Gavin's gotten a lot better at moving to the plate, D1 and MB have solid moves to 1b, etc.

[chw42]

It's worth noting that the pitchers have given him a lot more help this year too. Gavin's gotten a lot better at moving to the plate, D1 and MB have solid moves to 1b, etc.

 

And he's NOT catching Freddy.

 

 

[maggsmaggs]

It's worth noting that the pitchers have given him a lot more help this year too. Gavin's gotten a lot better at moving to the plate, D1 and MB have solid moves to 1b, etc.

I will say the pitchers have been better, but no one attempts off Buehrle and it seems rarely off Danks granted I don't have stats that back that up -- thats only off watching.

 

As well, looking at the stats, it seems clear AJ should be the leading contender for the gold glove, but we all know that's Mauer's no matter what.

Edited July 25, 2010 by maggsmaggs

[Dick Allen]

It just goes to show the gigantic role pitchers play with CS percentages.

[Jordan4life_2007]

It just goes to show the gigantic role pitchers play with CS percentages.

 

This. His arm didn't all of a sudden get better at age 33. There's still a plethora of catchers I'd rank over A.J. in terms of defense. That said, he's been good this year. And the numbers back it up.

[Texsox]

It just goes to show the gigantic role pitchers play with CS percentages.

 

Yep. It also shows how under-rated AJ is and how much attention is played to offensive production.

[maggsmaggs]

And as soon as I post this thread, he goes out and gets his first passed ball all year.

[SoxFan562004]

he calls a good game, blocks a ton of stuff in the dirt and keeps the pace up... and now that more of the pitchers are giving him a chance against runners he's actually showing he can be good there too, his D is underrated by a lot of people.

[Felix]

Check out these stats for AJ:

 

AJ leads MLB in fielding percentage at .998.

AJ is FOURTH in caught stealing percentage at 34.5%

 

 

 

So while he isn't hitting well, let's give him a congrats for being arguably the best defensive catcher in baseball this year plus he calls an excellent game.

AJ is not better defensively than Yadier Molina. No one that's sober/sane could argue that, unless they're using ridiculous stats like fielding percent.

 

I think AJ is probably better defensively than he gets credit for, but neither of the stats you provided prove anything.

Edited July 26, 2010 by Felix

[Quin]

That would mean the Sox have plus fielders at 5 positions (Omar, Alexei, Rios, AJ, Pierre), 2 above average ones (Gordon, Paulie), and 2 bad one/great ones depending on day(Quentin/Some Pitchers vs. Jones/Buehrle-Santos)

[maggsmaggs]

That would mean the Sox have plus fielders at 5 positions (Omar, Alexei, Rios, AJ, Pierre), 2 above average ones (Gordon, Paulie), and 2 bad one/great ones depending on day(Quentin/Some Pitchers vs. Jones/Buehrle-Santos)

I might downgrade Juan to above-average because of his noodle arm (I love that saying so much), but his range is excellent and seems to have good instincts, but so much of defensive ability is also deterring runners from taking the extra base, which Juan doesn't do.

[chw42]

That would mean the Sox have plus fielders at 5 positions (Omar, Alexei, Rios, AJ, Pierre), 2 above average ones (Gordon, Paulie), and 2 bad one/great ones depending on day(Quentin/Some Pitchers vs. Jones/Buehrle-Santos)

 

Gordon's actually above average at 2B.

 

And don't crown Omar just yet. He's been very average at 3B this year according to both Plus/Minus and UZR. I think we think he's good because we've seen such bad defense from Teahen.