WAR data from Fangraphs. Included is the player from each position with the most playing time.

almost 3 years ago Sky Kalkman 11 comments 0 recs |

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Question:

How many RAR was the average starting outfielder last year? 15?
25?

by RaysTheRoof on Feb 19, 2009 2:46 PM EST reply actions

League average corner outfielder would be:

0 hitting
0 fielding
-7.5 positional
20 replacement

So: 20-7.5 = 12.5 RAR

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 19, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

League average center fielder would be:

0 hitting
0 fielding
2.5 positional
20 replacement

So 22.5 RAR

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 19, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think that's the question he's asking.

The average corner outfielder is better than 0 on offense. Not-so-coincidentally, he’s about +7.5 runs on offense.

In general, league average players, over a full season (700 PAs) are about 22.5 RAR.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Feb 19, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Over 600 PAs, the average player is about +20 RAR

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Feb 19, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

Third base is especially strong, and the average third baseman is a bit better than what I quote above. Second base is especially weak, and the average second baseman is a bit worse than what I quote above. Maybe a few runs.

Designated hitters are pretty darn bad, considering you need ZERO fielding ability to qualify as a DH. Teams just don’t optimize this position. So the average DH is probably more like 10 to 15 WAR over a full season instead of 20.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Feb 19, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

Very interesting

So CC was able to be an above average starting corner outfielder even though his bat pretty much stunk last season. If he reverts to career norms in hitting, any chance he could approach upton in RAR? or do you think upton’s positional advantage is too much for CC to overtake him?

by RaysTheRoof on Feb 19, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

Crawford was worth ~4.7 wins per season from 04-06.

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=1201&position=OF#value

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 19, 2009 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

So yeah, he's been right there and higher before.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 19, 2009 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

Upton gets a 10-run advantage for position.

If they’re equally talent hitters, Crawford has to keep a ten run fielding advantage relative to position. That’s like +5 for Upton and +15 for Crawford, pretty reasonable and about what expectations would be.

Of course, I would think Upton’s projected batting line should be better than CCs.

CHONE has them at .343/454 (CC) and .388/.439 (BJ), a 12 run advantage for BJ over 150 games. Both could outdo that, and I’d give the advantage to BJ.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Feb 19, 2009 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

7 starters average or better

The scary thing is how much upside there is on this team. Longoria, Upton, and Crawford are all good bets to be better in 2009, Bartlett would be more valuable if he’s healthy for the whole season, and you’ve upgraded at DH (minus clubhouse leadership of course). The AL East is going to be a great race, sort of like the NL West only with good teams.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized God doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and prayed for forgiveness. - Emo Philips

Neglectful father of David Quinowski

by marcello on Feb 19, 2009 3:50 PM EST reply actions