Comments on: Rick Ankiel likely sidelined through the weekend

By: Ron

Ron — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:38:57 +0000

I’ve watched every game so far, and the outfield defense has been one of the strengths of the Royals so far this year. About the only negative so far is that they don’t play the carom well. They get to close to the ball and let the ball get past them and to to the backup, instead of backing off of it and playing the bounce.
Beyond that, they’ve played very good defense. But I guess that’s where observational analysis fails and sabermetrics trumps it. Because the numbers are definitely a better indication of anything I’ve actually seen with my eyes.

By: Don

Don — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:44:06 +0000

Thanks for pointing out the Pods stats. I always see writers getting down on his defense which is actually much improved over the past couple of years. He’s worked on his arm and has gotten smarter thus making less errors. He’ll never be known for great defense but I think it’s time for him to stop being blinded referred to as bad on defense.

By: ecp

ecp — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:04:10 +0000

Podsednik's UZR in left field season to date over 177 innings is 1.4 and tied for fourth best in baseball with Mark DeRosa and behind Carl Crawford, Josh Willingham, and Matt Holliday. Better than you thought, huh? http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=lf&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=1&season=2010&month=0

By: ecp

ecp — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:51:06 +0000

I wonder if that YTD UZR includes Jose Guillen’s spin in right field last night. It was his first game in playing defense this year and boy howdy, did he look bad doing it.