The top defenses in baseball, based on defensive runs saved, currently all come from the American League. Here's a chart that shows the defensive runs saved by position for the five best defensive teams in baseball thus far.
Defensive Runs Saved—Top Five
through July 6, 2009 |
| Team | P | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF | Total |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 5 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 8 | 18 | -1 | -12 | 4 | 45 |
| LA Angels | 3 | -1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | -4 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 38 |
| Texas Rangers | 5 | 1 | -1 | 18 | -15 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 36 |
| Seattle Mariners | 4 | 6 | -4 | -1 | 14 | -6 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 33 |
| Detroit Tigers | -1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 8 | -3 | 28 |
Led by middle-infield combo Aaron Hill and Marco Scutaro, the Blue Jays stand atop the leaderboard even though they've dropped to fourth in the ultra-competitive AL East. Vernon Wells is the one sore spot on the roster, costing the team 12 runs with his defense in centerfield. The Los Angeles Angels of Disneyland have surged past the Rangers to take over first place in the AL West and second in our Runs Saved standings. Leftfielder Juan Rivera and third baseman Chone Figgins are having excellent seasons at their respective positions, while Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu are enjoying resurgences in center and right field.
Defensive Runs Saved—Bottom Five
through July 6, 2009 |
| Team | P | C | 1B | 2B | 3B | SS | LF | CF | RF | Total |
| Baltimore Orioles | 2 | -4 | -8 | 2 | -3 | 9 | -8 | 3 | -4 | -11 |
| Minnesota Twins | 2 | -2 | -5 | -15 | 11 | -7 | 6 | 3 | -7 | -14 |
| KC Royals | 4 | -2 | 1 | -11 | -7 | -5 | 8 | 9 | -13 | -16 |
| Florida Marlins | -15 | -2 | -2 | -4 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 3 | 5 | -17 |
| Boston Red Sox | -7 | -4 | 7 | 1 | -20 | -10 | -1 | -2 | 4 | -32 |
The Red Sox and Marlins feature the worst defenses in baseball. Interestingly, the Marlins' pitchers have been the primary culprits at 15 runs below average. Florida pitchers have combined for -5 Stolen Base Runs Saved and -10 Plus/Minus Runs Saved. The Red Sox have witnessed intolerable defense from the injured Mike Lowell at third base. If Lowell wants to help the BoSox hang onto first place when he returns to action, he will have to show that his defense during the first half of the season was an anomaly.
We just added Team Defensive Runs Saved data, updated daily, to Bill James Online (www.billjamesonline.com). It's a subscription site, but it's only $3 per month.