Joe Credeleads the American League in FPCT and errors (not made). However, while these are not stats that many put much faith in, they are a stat which tell a great deal about Crede’s value. However, a newer stat, one now used by the voters in determining the ultimate winner of the Gold Glove, has come out. The UZR, Ultimate Zone Rating, a method of determining a players arm and range, ranks Crede at the top of the league among all 3B.
Crede has been very valuable to this team, not only because he has provided some power at 3B (something lacking in the Twins lineup since the days ofCorey Koskie), but because he has beengoldenat 3B (possibly a career year at 3B).
To build on the UZR, there’s a stat called the UZR 150, which goes to show how many runs a player has cost or saved his team over the span of 150 games played at a certain position. Crede’s UZR is about 27 runs per 150 games at 3B. To put it into perspective, the next best in the AL after Crede there is Adrian Beltre, at around 17.
It’d seem that Joe Crede should be a shoe-in for the Gold Glove at 3B. All of his stats beat out the competition. Somehow, no one really seems to know what he’s accomplished at the position.
Crede gets very little respect for what he does. He’s a solid hitter and people recognize this, but virtually no one ever discusses his efficient play as a third baseman. He’s simply been phenomenal this year.
Should Crede win a Gold Glove in 2009? In my opinion, yes, hands down. Unfortunately, the writers who vote for the Gold Glove, do not vote for the bestdefensiveplayer in baseball, as it should be, but the bestoverall(fielding and hitting: OBP, SLG, AVG) player in baseball at their respective positions.
The Twins seemed to get snubbed for these awards every year. Save for Morneau’s recent MVP award, there have been quite a few worthy fielders in recent years who haven’t won the award. Castillo, Morneau, and Mauer, to name a few.
The Gold Glove voters are biased, as are the All-Star voters. This would also explain whyCarlos Gomezdid not win a Gold Glove last year, despite being the best defensive CF in the Major League Baseball – along withGrady Sizemore.
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