The Dbacks Defense?

[KingLouieLouie]

The Dbacks have committed a combined 24 errors (including the 4 miscues today)....Entering today's game they were ranked #21 in the ML in over-all defensive stats (click on following link for reference)....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/statistics?stat=teamfield&league=mlb

True, Hillenbrand is playing out of his natural position and Tracy is a rookie, however, most of these errors have been on routine plays (especially errant throws to 1B or misjudging shallow pop-ups hit on in between the OF and IF)...

Here's a link to the Dbacks defense stats....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teamfieldstats?team=ari

Cintron and Tracy coming into today's game have already committed 4 each (Tracy had 1 today).... I thought that during Spring Training Brenly commented on how the team focused on fundamentals, however, it seems it hasnt been of any help thus far.....

Also, there have been several plays that weren't ruled errors, but for whatever reason werent (that fly-ball that Finley bothced today that eventually lead to a run)....Also, how many times do you cringe when there's a fly-ball hit between Finley and Bautista and you know it's inevitable that they will collide (although it seems that Finley has been more emphatic out there w/his "I got its") and anything hit toward Gonzalez with runners advancing knowing that there is no way possible with his injury that Gonzalez will throw them out....

I just hope they have more sessions soon to improve their defense or that will only lead to more long-term probelms....

 

[SweetD]

Not sure you can say Finely botched the catch. Kata waved him off then gave up on the ball. Steve tried to get it but was moving out of the way for Kata.

 

[AZZenny]

I'm afraid defense is not exactly an organizational strength. Jethawks are one of the 3-4 worst defensive teams in their league right now - fortunately their great hitting covers that sin pretty well. El Paso is in the poorer end of their league defensively, and a quick peek suggests Tucson is just mid-range in the PCL for errors. Concerns me, because I hate to think these guys are supposed to start picking it up after they reach the big club. I have always valued good defense, statistically unsupported as it may seem, and a great defensive play is my favorite part of the game.

Wonder if Matt Williams would ever consider working with someone like Tracy? Kid can make some great plays, and has potential, but his aim when he's throwing is just ...bizarre.

 

[BC867]

...however, most of these errors have been on routine plays (especially errant throws to 1B)...

I'm glad you mentioned that.

It has bothered me for decades whenever someone says that 1B is the least important defensive position on the field. That anyone can step in and play 1B.

A good First Baseman affects the performance of four positions -- his own, 2B, SS, and 3B. Once in awhile, P and C, as well.

If a team has confidence in the defensive ability of its First Baseman, they won't be afraid to make the difficult throw. If it's an Erubiel Durazo, they're more likely to hold the ball after making a spectatular catch on a ground ball.

The defensive ability of the First Baseman affects more positions than any other man in the field.

Besides his massive homeruns and the excitement he brings to the team, that's another reason why I want to see Richie Sexson stay with the Diamondbacks. He's shown himself to be a good fielding First Baseman. Being 6'7" doesn't hurt either.

That shouldn't be taken for granted.

(The fact that I'm a lefty and loved playing 1B when I was younger has no bearing on the opinions in this post. )

P.S.: Can anyone explain to me why so many First Basemen hold a runner on nowadays by standing two steps in front of the bag? On so many throws over by the Pitcher, the 1B has to go back to the bag to swipe at the runner. Most of the time they don't even try.

They catch it and throw it back. I don't think it's being done as a decoy. Carlos Baerga seems to be the worst at that.

I would like to see the First Baseman tag the runner every single time. What does he have to lose? By the way, every time I've seen Sexson catch a throw over, he's been within a half a step of the bag, and takes a swipe at the runner.

Once again, his defensive prowess shouldn't be taken for granted.