Joe Crede’s Exceptional Fielding Skills
Joe Credeleads the American League in FPCT and errors (not made). However, while these are not stats that many put much faith in, they are a stat which tell a great deal about Crede’s value. However, a newer stat, one now used by the voters in determining the ultimate winner of the Gold Glove, has come out. The UZR, Ultimate Zone Rating, a method of determining a players arm and range, ranks Crede at the top of the league among all 3B.
Aside from the regular offensive contributions that Crede gives to the team, his UZR and his fielding stats have been top notch, and even better than his hitting. This has been invaluable to the Minnesota ball club.
The UZR/150 is the average number of runs saved over the course of 150 defensive games. As can be seen, Crede sits between 25-30 runs saved per 150 defensive games. The next highest run saver,Adrian Beltre, is between 15-20 runs saved per 150 games. Thus, Crede saves about 10 runs more per 150 games than Beltre, one of the premier defensive 3B in baseball.
With dominant numbers like this, you have to wonder why Joe Crede doesn’t get more respect. In fact, hardly anyone realizes just how good he is at the position.
Crede is one of those players who is often overlooked. Since his hitting numbers don’t stand out and players are credited for their offense more than their defense, Crede gets little due for what he does.
Should Crede win a Gold Glove in 2009? In my opinion, yes, hands down. Unfortunately, the writers who vote for the Gold Glove, do not vote for the bestdefensiveplayer in baseball, as it should be, but the bestoverall(fielding and hitting: OBP, SLG, AVG) player in baseball at their respective positions.
Unfortunately, the Twins get little respect when it comes down to voting. Look at snubs like Luis Castillo, Justin Morneau, and Joe Mauer, all of whom deserved Gold Gloves and never got them.
The Gold Glove voters are biased, as are the All-Star voters. This would also explain whyCarlos Gomezdid not win a Gold Glove last year, despite being the best defensive CF in the Major League Baseball - along withGrady Sizemore.
See why sports nuts are raving about RootZoo Sports, a social network for sports nuts with the best sports forum, amazing trivia, fantasy football, and lots more.