Comments on: Win Values Explained: Part Three

By: krm

krm — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 18:00:57 +0000

Small point, but you write: “Clearly, shortstops are better defenders than second baseman, and we have to reflect this in their value.” I’d think that’s just as clearly not always the case (or, as someone at BBTF might say, “Derek Jeter says ‘hi.’”

So you might want to rephrase to say what you mean. (Or maybe I shouldn’t have read the explanation on a break from grading papers.)

By: Marcus

Marcus — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:57:44 +0000

Nice post you got here. It would be great to read more concerning this theme.

By: brian recca

brian recca — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:22:50 +0000

One thing that I don’t understand is why some players do not receive the full value for their positional adjustment. My guess is that it’s based off of playing time. Am I right?

By: WENTWORTH

WENTWORTH — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 06:10:45 +0000

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By: alskor

alskor — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:33:43 +0000

Pujols = 1B
Hanley = SS

Its a lot easier to find a 1B than a SS. Its a lot easier to play 1B than SS.

By: Jack T

Jack T — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:17:42 +0000

I don’t get why guys like Albert Pujols are in the negatives for positional adjustment but people like Hanley are positive?

By: M. T. Head

M. T. Head — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:30:41 +0000

“It is much harder to find a +5 SS than it is to find a +5 2B, and we need to represent that in the Win Value system.” This statement also applies to right fielders (SS) and left fielders (2B). The pool of candidates is smaller for right field; to play there you need to be able to throw. This is not reflected in the adjustments.

By: Eric Seidman

Eric Seidman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:26:46 +0000

Chris,

More of the former. The way Tango discusses positional adjustments is called Runs Over Willie, for Willie Bloomquist, or other similar players who can play everywhere. If you put Willie at SS, then the average SS would save +7.5 more runs per 162 games. If you placed Willie at 1B, then the average 1B would cost his team -12.5 runs more per 162 games than Willie.

With regards to catching, this suggests that if you place a guy like Willie behind the plate, even an average fielding catcher will save +12.5 more runs than Willie, which is +1.25 wins. Catching is a specialized skill, so this basically says that even someone with average catching skills is over one win more valuable behind the plate than the regular utility guy you can throw back there.

By: MattyD

MattyD — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:17:37 +0000

Hmm, I may have I figured it out: I think fielders get a full games positional adjustment whether they play the whole game or just an inning. So if the positional adjustments are meant to be per 150 full games rather than 150 average games, the positional adjustments are overstated.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:07:39 +0000

Dave,

Love your stuff here and on USSM. Just to clarify for my own sanity, using the positional adjustments you listed, would catching (+12.5 runs) be considered statistically the most difficult position or do catchers get the most credit for their defense? I’m sure I’m just over thinking this…