The Society for American Baseball Research has created something called their Defensive Index, rating players for their defense using a number of different criteria, which you can read about in detail here
. The SDI is used, in part, to help decide each year’s Gold Glove and Platinum Glove winners.SABR announced today that Pete Crow-Armstrong leads all National League players in the SDI, through games of June 7, with an SDI figure of 10.7. Former Cub Cody Bellinger leads all American League players this
year at 9.4. Bellinger has played mostly left field for the Yankees this year (54 starts), with nine starts in center field and two in right.
We all know about PCA’s defensive prowess, and he’s likely going to win another Gold Glove this year, and he’ll be a strong candidate for the Platinum Glove, which goes to the best defensive player at any position.
I thought you might also be interested in where other Cubs players rank at their positions in the SDI, through June 7. Here are their rankings among National League players.
Pitcher: The highest-ranked Cubs pitcher is Shōta Imanaga, who ranks tied for 12th at 0.6.
Catcher: Carson Kelly is last among NL catchers at -3.1.
First base: Michael Busch ranks third at 3.0, behind Matt Olson (5.2) and TJ Rumfield (3.4).
Second base: Nico Hoerner ranks fourth at 2.4, behind JJ Wetherholt (4.7), Alex Freeland (3.9) and Ozzie Albies (3.4).
Third base: Alex Bregman (1.9) ranks fifth behind Matt Chapman (8.2), Max Muncy (4.2), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3.5) and Nolan Arenado (2.9).
Shortstop: Dansby Swanson (3.8) ranks second behind Joey Ortiz (4.1).
Left field: Ian Happ ranks sixth at 0.5.
Center field: PCA’s 10.5 is significantly ahead of Andy Pages (8.1).
Right field: Seiya Suzuki leads all right fielders at 3.7, slightly ahead of Corbin Carroll (3.6).
The surprise for me there is Suzuki, who the eye test says has had a good year in the field, though I didn’t necessarily think the metrics would back that up. If he continues along these lines he’ll have a shot at a Gold Glove. Also, Swanson continues to be an elite fielding shortstop even while he’s struggling at the plate. And the Cubs have high-ranking defenders at almost every position.
Here are three and a half minutes of great defensive plays by Cubs so far this year.
