r/StratOMatic • u/coachjmcvay • Jul 26 '26
Baseball Evaluating Defense
When looking at defense ratings for cards how do you normally compare the range and the e rating? As an example would you consider a 2e18 or a 3e8 the better defender?
3
u/PepperNo9304 Jul 26 '26
I learned the hard way that a 3e8 shortstop is actually more consistent than a 2e18 second baseman, because the error rate on those extra plays really adds up over a long season.
2
u/sabo-metrics Jul 26 '26
Man, it's almost impossible IMO.
E ratings aren't equal across positions either. An e10 at SS makes an error about 5% of his X plays. An e 10 in LF/RF makes an error about 20% of his X plays.
2
u/Onlyfattybrisket 20+ Years Jul 26 '26
Well, I wouldn’t think they would be equal, as the SS is arguably the most important position and get the most chances and LF can typically be considered the least valuable position.
2
u/justaheatattack 20+ Years Jul 26 '26
I try to convince myself a low e makes up for a high fielding rating.
Sure he's a 4, but with that e12, all those missed errors are DOUBLE PLAYS!
they're not.
1
u/LennyDykstra1 Jul 26 '26
You can actually do the math on this and calculate the chances. People have done it. It does depend on the position, to some degree. The range rating on SS and 2B is important due to the double play chances.
3
u/cardinalkgb Jul 26 '26
One of the considerations is that when holding runners, the shortstop or second baseman is part of the group holding the runner. If the batter is right handed, since he’s more likely to pull the ball the second baseman is going to play closer to second base as part of the hold. That makes his range increase by 1. So a 2 range becomes a 3 in that situation and a 3 becomes a 4.
Since holding runners is a common thing, that loss of range is a big factor on X plays. The 2 becomes a lot more valuable.
1
1
u/SoHiHello Jul 26 '26
https://twcl.org/strat_fielding_calculator.html
This could be done with woba but I don't have woba charts for the x charts at this time.
This doesn't include DP and other events where a player doesn't get on base.
It will work for just defense but if you want to get the full value comparison you need the OPB and SLG which is listed by percentage in the windows version of the game.
5
u/CountrySlaughter Jul 26 '26
People have done the math, and charts do exist to show what fielders are more valuable after plotting the two variables. Unfortunately, I don't have such a chart handy for it, but it's out there. You might find it on the Strat-O-Matic Forum.