Colorado Rockies news and links for Tuesday, September 10, 2024
The Colorado Rockies, for all their problems, pride themselves on playing exceptional defense. (Actually, when a team relies on pitching to contact, an excellent defense is essential.)
In 2024, Brenton Doyle won his first MLB Gold Glove while Ryan McMahon and Ezequiel Tovar were both finalists. Now that we almost have a season of data, it’s worth considering how the Rockies stack up defensively in comparison to other teams as well as their peers.
How do the Rockies compare to the rest of MLB?
To examine that, consider some standard defensive metrics.
- In terms of FanGraphs defensive runs above average, the Rockies rank fourteenth with 2.5. MLB is led by the Kansas City Royals (35.0). In short, as a team, the Rockies have been very average defensively.
- When considering DRS, the Rockies tie for tenth with Atlanta (26). The highest score goes to the Toronto Blue Jays (91).
- The Rockies score better when measured by UZR where they are sixth (12.2) while the Texas Rangers lead MLB with 19.8.
- The Rockies OAA is a marginal fifteenth with zero. Leading the league are the Kansas City Royals with 36.
- Finally when considering FRV, the Rockies scored -4, which is eighteenth. In first place is the 40 score of the Toronto Blue Jays.
What does it mean? Probably a number of things.
First, this year no team emerges as a clear defensive leader, but the Rockies have been, as a whole, an okay defensive unit.
This is probably the result of several factors, most notably giving substantial playing time to younger players who will be prone to making mistakes as they adjust to MLB-level defending. There were also staffing inconsistencies: For example, Nolan Jones saw very little time in the outfield, and it took some time for Michael Toglia to win the first-base job and then become comfortable there. In addition, Gold Glover Brendan Rodgers missed some time due to injuries.
And, probably, fatigue is becoming a factor. Brenton Doyle, Ryan McMahon, and Ezequiel Tovar have logged a lot of innings over the last two years. That wear and tear may be catching up with them.
How do individual players compare?
Here’s where things become a bit more interesting. I’ll start with positional rankings based on defensive runs above average and then move to individual players.
- C — 5.6 (22nd)
- 1B — -19.0 (30th)
- 2B — -0.7 (22nd)
- 3B — 9.3 (2nd)
- SS — 14.5 (5th)
- LF — -9.5 (19th)
- CF — 8.6 (8th)
- RF — -15.2 (27th)
This indicates that Doyle, McMahon, and Tovar remain the Rockies best defenders.
Now consider some individual Rockies in comparison with their peers.
Third Base
Ryan McMahon remains an elite defender, ranked fourth overall in defensive runs above average behind Joey Ortiz, Matt Chapman, and Nolan Arenado. He also trails them in all other defensive categories except UZR.
At this point, it looks like McMahon will be a Gold Glove finalist, but his chances of winning seem less certain.
Shortstop
During a time of elite shortstops, Ezequiel Tovar continues to play with the best of them. He’s fifth in defensive ranks above average, FRV, and OAA behind Bobby Witt Jr., Francisco Lindor, Dansby Swanson, and Elly De La Cruz. In addition, he leads all shortstops in UZR (6.8). His DRS ranks him fourth.
As difficult as this is to believe, there’s a good chance he won’t even be a Gold Glove finalist. Tovar has been elite, but others have been more so.
Center Field
Brenton Doyle is fourth in defensive runs above average (9.7) behind Jacob Young, Jose Siri, and Michael A. Taylor. He his third in FRV, fifth in OAA, first in UZR, and eleventh in DRS.
He seems certain to repeat as a Gold Glove finalist though his winning is less sure.
Closing Thoughts
In 2023, the Rockies were a better overall defensive team with a 14.5 defensive runs above average that ranked them eighth overall. This season saw them with more younger players and roster turnover.
The 2024 Rockies had some breathtakingly good defensive moments, but as a whole, their defensive play declined.
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This week on the internet
Because we can never watch this too many times:
“Game” – @BDoyle_9 pic.twitter.com/NZZrOJGvCP
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) September 7, 2024
Oh, yeah. Doyle Rules.
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Kevin Henry goes behind the scene with the coach helping all those Rockies infielders.
Kris Bryant “running out of time” to return to Rockies this season | Denver Post ($)
Will Bryant return this season? Patrick Saunders points out that the window is closing fast. (Bryant has played in just 37 games this season.)
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