Akinori Iwamura is Gold at Turning Double Plays and You Shall Not Run on B.J. Upton

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 11, 2009 4:35 PM EST

Second best in the majors last season behind Bobby Crosby. Evan Longoria was also really good at turning the double play. Below are the complete Rays listings:

Name	Pos	G	DPR
Akinori Iwamura	2B	152	2.4
Evan Longoria	3B	119	1.1
Willy Aybar	3B	41	0.5
Eric Hinske	1B	11	0.2
Elliot Johnson	SS	2	0.1
Jason Bartlett	SS	125	0
Willy Aybar	SS	2	0
Willy Aybar	1B	19	0
Dan Johnson	1B	8	0
Carlos Pena	1B	132	-0.1
Ben Zobrist	SS	35	-0.2
Ben Zobrist	2B	8	-0.7

Not shocked by Iwamura and Longoria, I think we can all agree they both appeared quite good at getting two out on one play last year.

I find it interesting that Carlos Pena was actually slightly below average turning double plays. Perhaps being left-handed has something to do with it? I'd have to see if we can't get some splits on hand.

Name	Pos	G	ARM
B.J. Upton	CF	143	4.6
Gabe Gross	RF	120	2.5
Gabe Gross	CF	5	1.5
Fernando Perez	CF	15	1.3
Justin Ruggiano	LF	26	0.4
Justin Ruggiano	CF	5	0.2
Eric Hinske	LF	40	0.2
Fernando Perez	RF	2	0.2
Justin Ruggiano	RF	15	0
Rocco Baldelli	LF	1	0
Fernando Perez	LF	8	0
Elliot Johnson	CF	1	-0.1
Nathan Haynes	CF	2	-0.1
Ben Zobrist	CF	5	-0.1
Ben Zobrist	LF	14	-0.2
Elliot Johnson	RF	1	-0.4
Nathan Haynes	RF	15	-0.5
Jonny Gomes	RF	21	-0.5
Jonny Gomes	LF	9	-0.5
Carl Crawford	CF	1	-0.7
Rocco Baldelli	RF	6	-0.8
Carl Crawford	LF	108	-1.1
Eric Hinske	RF	49	-1.3

Upton meanwhile was amongst the best arms (as was Pat Burrell) in 2008. Gabe Gross and Fernando Perez are the only players with worthwhile arms besides Upton, although Justin Ruggiano earned some value with his. Not surprisingly, Carl Crawford and Eric Hinske were the "worst" arms on the Rays.

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Comments

We have the best double play turning 2B and 3B

Also this makes Longoria the highest UZR rated 3B in the entire Major Leagues.

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 11, 2009 4:37 PM EST reply actions

Also B.J. has the 2nd best arm among CF in the Majors and best in the AL

by Tommy Rancel on Feb 11, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

I trust nothing that says Nando has a good arm.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Feb 11, 2009 5:28 PM EST reply actions

But it says Hinske has a girly arm?

by RATW on Feb 11, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

I amend my statement

Any stat that says Hinske has a girly arm, I agree with.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Feb 11, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Small sample size.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 11, 2009 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

if only CC would play center field...

by davidsmarch on Feb 11, 2009 5:39 PM EST reply actions

Anecdote alert

Twice, I saw Longoria and Iwamura turn double plays that were as exciting as any I have ever seen. In both cases, Longoria charged a slowly hit ball that, it appeared, gave him only a chance to get the runner at first. But instead, he whirled and threw laser waist-chest high to Iwamura who seemed never to hesitate as he pivoted and threw another laser to first. The whole thing was one beautiful motion.

The key, it seemed to me, was Longoria’s decision, made in that split second.

by bobr on Feb 11, 2009 6:09 PM EST reply actions

Being left-handed should make it easier to turn the double play

(I’m assuming you are referring to STARTING the double play, as without stupid base-running, the 1st baseman is seldom ever in a position to turn the double play)

Because you are in position to throw as soon as you scoop up the ball, without the need of taking an additional step, a left handed 1st baseman has a natural advantage in starting the double play.

by GomesSweetGomes on Feb 12, 2009 12:57 AM EST reply actions

Perhaps his arm just isn't that good

I’d be fine with that. He has decent range for a 1B, and seems to swallow up everything hit/thrown in his general direction. That’s most of what I want out of a 1B anyway, and part of that skill will reflect more on the defensive stats of his teammates than the defensive stats of the 1B himself. Everything else is just gravy.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Feb 12, 2009 1:02 AM EST up reply actions