MLB: The Worst Baserunner on Every Team

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Baserunning is the most under-appreciated aspect of the game of baseball.

It is the oil that keeps the machine that is an offense running.

It is not just about stealing bases. It is about taking the extra base on a hit and advancing on a fly ball. It is breaking up a double play or freezing defenders on a ground ball.

There are a plethora of ways to be a good baserunner that can be quantified.

A short time ago, Statheads brought you Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) for defense.

Now, these same people have created Ultimate Base Running (UBR), a similar statistic that is beautifully simple and complex at the same time.

You can read about it in-depth here, or take my simple explanation.

The gist of it is that on every play where Player X is a baserunner, his actions add or subtract a run value. Of course, these individual plays add up over the course of the year, and the result is baserunning "runs."

It is essentially the run value of a player's baserunning.

So if Player X has a 2.8 UBR, his baserunning has a value of 2.8 "runs." If Player Y has a -1.5 UBR, his baserunning has cost his team 1.5 runs.

That being said, let's take a look at each team's worst baserunner in terms of UBR this season.

As a guide, take note of the talent level of the players on this list. Remember, you have to get on base in order to be a baserunner.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Kelly Johnson

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

UBR: -2.1 Runs

Arizona's hard-hitting second baseman has established himself as one of the best offensive players at his position in baseball.

But in 2011, he hasn't exactly torn up the basepaths.

Johnson's -2.1 UBR is not exactly the worst, but any time you're costing your team runs, something's not right.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. Johnson has a career 1.1 UBR, but it has been negative the past two years, which have also been his two best offensive years in the majors.

Atlanta Braves: Brian McCann

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

UBR: -2.1

It can be argued that McCann is baseball's best catcher.

It can also be argued that he is baseball's worst baserunner.

Of course, there are very few catchers who are fleet of foot, but McCann is the prime example. Despite being 20-of-26 on steals in his career, McCann is just absolutely dreadful on the basepaths.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. McCann's lifetime UBR is a dreadful -27.0. That means he has cost the Braves 27 runs on the basepaths during his career.

Baltimore Orioles: Derrek Lee

Rob Carr/Getty Images

UBR: -1.5

Derrek Lee has been a great offensive force throughout his long career, as well as being one of baseball's best defensive first basemen.

His long frame and athletic build make him a great all-around player—except for on the basepaths.

This season, the aging Lee has cost the Orioles 1.5 runs, although he is providing some offensive production and great glove work.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Not really. His career UBR is 0.1, so he is truly one of the most average baserunners in baseball. But this year, he's been well below that number.

Boston Red Sox: Adrian Gonzalez

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

UBR: -3.8

Despite being arguably the best player in baseball this year, Adrian Gonzalez has been one of the game's worst baserunners.

Of course, this won't overshadow his incredible offensive numbers in the MVP race, but it is really interesting to see such an elite player with a fundamental flaw in his game.

Of course, the Red Sox can afford to lose three or four runs now and then.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. Gonzalez has a career UBR of -14.5, but this year has been his worst single year to date.

He has not had a full season with a UBR over -1.5.

Chicago Cubs: Aramis Ramirez

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

UBR: -5.0

Aramis Ramirez is one of baseball's absolute worst baserunners.

Though his career will be remembered for its consistency and production out of the hot corner, that's about it.

His fielding is atrocious, and his baserunning is almost unparalleled in its futility. This year, he is the second-worst baserunner in baseball.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. A career UBR of -29.7 makes for one of the worst marks of any active player. He is just miserable.

Chicago White Sox: Paul Konerko

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UBR: -7.0

Across town from Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field houses the worst baserunner in baseball.

White Sox fans know Paul Konerko as the longtime rock in the lineup, the man who has occupied the middle of that order for 13 years.

But whether White Sox fans realize it or not, their favorite first baseman is also baseball's most dismal baserunner.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

YES. For his career Konerko boasts a -46.8 UBR, which defies all words. He must not have had those baserunning drills that most baseball players do in Little League.

At least he can hit.

Cincinnati Reds: Joey Votto

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UBR: -2.1

Everyone's favorite power-hitting Canadian first baseman is a genius with the bat in his hand and an idiot afterwards.

Not being a speedy guy, Votto is not the one to advance from first to third or charge home on a sacrifice fly.

Of course, his value is not with his legs. Still, it's funny to see him on this list.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. He has had a positive UBR just once, and his career number is -5.4. This year has already been his worst, though.

Cleveland Indians: Asdrubal Cabrera

Jason Miller/Getty Images

UBR: -0.6

Cabrera is one of the best "worst" baserunners on this list. Quite honestly, he shouldn't be on here.

But true to my word that these are this year's worst baserunners in terms of UBR, Cabrera is on the list.

He is actually barely negative, so he hasn't been that bad for the Tribe. Of course, he more than makes up for it offensively.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Not at all. In fact, Cabrera's lifetime UBR is 5.5. He has been a traditionally good baserunner, but this year has seen him slightly in the negatives.

Colorado Rockies: Todd Helton

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

UBR: -0.6

Believe it or not, this year has been Helton's best in terms of baserunning.

He'll be 38 in August, but Helton's legs look fresh as ever, as his respectable -0.6 UBR is the highest of his career so far.

He's hitting .319 and is still a good defensive first baseman. Hey, if his running holds up, he could probably play at least four or five more years.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. Helton's career UBR is -16.6—not an atrocious mark, but nothing to be proud of either.

Of course, this has never been a point of pride for Helton.

Detroit Tigers: Victor Martinez

Leon Halip/Getty Images

UBR: -2.8

V-Mart is one of the game's best offensive catchers and designated hitters (whatever he is nowadays), but his prowess on the basepaths is nothing to marvel at.

In fact, hitting is just about the only thing Martinez does well. But between his four career steals and miserable speed, it is no surprise to find Victor here.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. A career mark of -25.5 runs leaves Martinez as one of baseball's most miserable runners.

Florida Marlins: Mike Stanton

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

UBR: -2.6

This was a major surprise to me, especially because Stanton looks more like an NFL tight end than an outfielder.

But the 6'5", 233-pound Stanton just does not have the speed or instincts to be a good major league baserunner.

Granted, this is only his second year in the league, so his baserunning has lots of room for improvement.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

So far, yes. In his two professional seasons, his UBR has been negative. Like I said, though, he has plenty of time to turn it around.

Houston Astros: Brett Wallace

Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images

UBR: -3.8

Wallace has been a steady producer in an otherwise miserable Astros lineup.

But on the basepaths, Wallace has wreaked havoc, and not in the good way.

He has a -3.8 UBR, making him one of baseball's worst baserunners this year. This is his first full season, though, so he can reverse that reputation.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Too early to tell. But as far as first impressions go, he hasn't exactly blown anyone away.

Kansas City Royals: Jeff Francoeur

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UBR: -1.9

Francoeur has been a steady offensive force for the Royals this season, providing gap power, some home runs and a good ability to get on base.

But once he's there, he hasn't been too good.

His -1.9 UBR isn't awful, but you'd like to see an on-base threat be better.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. His lifetime UBR is -0.3, so he has really been up and down throughout his career. This just happens to be a down year.

Los Angeles Angels: Bobby Abreu

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

UBR: -3.6

Finally, we have a product of age.

Bobby Abreu used to be one of baseball's biggest 30/30 threats, and he did it twice.

Nine other times, he went for 20/20.

But this year, at age 37, Abreu's baserunning appears to be going downhill. Still, he has 14 steals on 18 attempts. As far as his ability to be an impact player on the bases, though, those days may be over.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. UBR data was first collected in 2002, but from that point on, Abreu's career number is 3.2 and probably is higher because of his good speed when he was young.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Andre Ethier

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

UBR: -2.8

Ethier, one of the game's most sought-after outfielders, has been remarkably consistent in his offensive production throughout his short career.

Only this year has his baserunning not been in the positive run value.

But as long as he continues to hit and be an impact presence in the middle of the Dodgers order, there is no cause for concern.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. Ethier's career UBR is 4.4, so he has been a solid baserunner so far. Only this year has he not been good.

Milwaukee Brewers: Casey McGehee

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

UBR: -4.7

Milwaukee's ever-dependable third baseman shouldn't surprise anyone with his lack of fleet-footedness.

This year, McGehee has been pitiful across the board.

His offense is well below what was expected, his defense is very average and his baserunning is among baseball's worst. Ouch.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. Actually, McGehee's first two years nearly canceled themselves out (1.5 and -1.6 UBR, respectively), so this year comprises most of his UBR.

Minnesota Twins: Alexi Casilla

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UBR: -1.4

I kind of expected the Twins' worst baserunner to be a surprise, because they are, as a whole, a very good team on the basepaths.

Casilla, who has been almost a career platoon player, holds the distinction of being the Twins' worst this season.

Of course, he has a lot of speed, and this year has been his worst in terms of baserunning.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. He has a career 1.8 UBR, which is not stellar but still positive. This year is just a blemish.

New York Mets: Josh Thole

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UBR: -1.6

The Mets have actually been surprisingly good as a team on the basepaths.

Thole, the team's catcher, has been a decent player behind the plate, but not so much on the bases.

This can be expected of a catcher, but it is nice to have a player with some instincts on the basepaths. Still, he's not that bad.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Not really. His career -0.8 UBR shows that he is almost average, and this year is canceling out last year's 1.7 UBR.

New York Yankees: Nick Swisher

Abelimages/Getty Images

UBR: -3.1

I wasn't surprised to find that Swisher is the Yankees' worst baserunner.

He is a pretty stocky guy, not the fastest and has never stuck out as a great baserunner.

His -3.1 UBR confirms that feeling. But as you will see in a second, Swisher is actually a pretty talented baserunner.

Just this year, though, he has not helped the Yankees' cause.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. He has a 2.8 UBR for his career, again surprising considering his physical stature. Must be the MLB genes.

Oakland Athletics: Cliff Pennington

Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

UBR: -1.3

Oakland is like Minnesota in that, generally, it is a very good team on the basepaths.

That is just part of the small-ball approach that has been used with varying success in Oakland over the years.

Pennington, the talented shortstop, is having the worst year of his short career in terms of baserunning. He should turn it around.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. A career 3.7 UBR through a short time in the bigs is a good sign. Even if this year continues to be bad, he could still turn out to be very good.

Philadelphia Phillies: Ryan Howard

Rob Carr/Getty Images

UBR: -3.9

No surprise here.

Howard is about as nimble as a tortoise, and in this race, slow and steady does not win.

The powerful, slugging first baseman for the Phillies has always been one of baseball's sorrier baserunners, and this year has been no exception.

For Howard, it's just another year of hitting home runs and running with lead feet.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. A career -23.6 UBR does not make him one of the absolute worst, but he leaves much to be desired on the basepaths.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Lyle Overbay

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UBR: -1.0

Overbay fits the trend of big, bulky first basemen who are good hitters but just aren't that gifted on the basepaths.

In Overbay's case, he has never been spectacularly bad, but he's never been good either.

The Pirates first baseman hasn't really been contributing at the plate this year, though, so something's gotta give.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. His career UBR is -7.7. Again, he's never been awful, but never good either.

St. Louis Cardinals: Yadier Molina

Rob Carr/Getty Images

UBR: -2.4

Molina is one of the most consistent and dependable players in baseball.

He is a terrific defensive catcher, a respectable hitter, great with pitching staffs—and a consistently bad baserunner.

This year, his -2.4 mark is right on par with the rest of his career. Of course, you can't expect a whole lot from a catcher who is on his knees the entire game.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Yes. His career UBR is -19.3, and he has been between -2.3 and -3.3 in each of his seasons.

San Diego Padres: Chase Headley

Hunter Martin/Getty Images

UBR: -2.4

San Diego's most consistent on-base threat conveniently happens to be its worst baserunner this season.

The versatile and valuable Headley has a -2.4 UBR this season, although he is a fairly good threat to steal bases.

He had 17 steals last year and has eight so far this year. In general, Headley is a very average baserunner.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Not really. He has a career UBR of -0.2, about as average as you can get. He's just having a down year.

San Francisco Giants: Miguel Tejada

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UBR: -1.2

Tejada has never really been considered any sort of threat on the basepaths.

He has mainly been known for a great bat and very up-and-down ability in the field.

This year, he is the worst baserunner on a collectively good-running Giants team.

Even so, his -1.2 UBR isn't that bad. Tejada has never been a bad runner, as with many on this list. He's just not having a good year.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Sort of. He has a career -2.9 UBR, but just like his defense, his baserunning has been very up and down.

Seattle Mariners: Justin Smoak

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

UBR: -2.2

One of Seattle's great young bats, Justin Smoak still has to learn the ropes of baserunning.

He is going to be a very good hitter for a very long time, but he hasn't quite developed the skills on the bases to make himself a truly well-rounded ballplayer.

But at age 24, there is a lot of time for Smoak to improve on that.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

So far, yes. Last year, he had a -2.7 UBR. He needs to start to turn this trend around.

Tampa Bay Rays: B.J. Upton

Nick Laham/Getty Images

UBR: -1.1

The Rays are always one of the better baserunning teams in baseball.

From Carl Crawford to Desmond Jennings, the Rays have always been about constantly putting men in motion.

Upton, who might be one of the fastest players in baseball, just doesn't have the instincts to be a truly great baserunner.

He has been very good throughout his career, but he has gotten by purely on speed.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. He has a career 11.6 UBR, evidenced by his constantly high steal totals and devastating speed. He just lacks some instincts.

Texas Rangers: Nelson Cruz

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

UBR: -1.0

Texas might just be baseball's best team on the basepaths.

The fact that their worst baserunner has a UBR of just -1.0 says a lot about the team.

Nelson Cruz, the hard-hitting outfielder, is a very big guy, so it is no surprise that he is not the best baserunner on Earth.

It's almost impressive that he is this "good" and even more so that the Rangers as a whole are so dangerous.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

Not really. His career UBR is -0.1, making Cruz one of the most average baserunners in baseball. Not too bad.

Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Hill

Abelimages/Getty Images

UBR: -2.0

Aaron Hill has been a solid performer for the Blue Jays, putting up great offensive numbers over his career.

He also happens to be a very good defender.

This year, however, his baserunning has lost the Blue Jays some runs.

Regardless, Hill is a very valuable player. This -2.0 UBR is nothing to be overly concerned about. He can turn it around.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. Hill has a career 7.5 UBR, a solid mark for someone who isn't particularly quick.

Washington Nationals: Jerry Hairston

Bob Levey/Getty Images

UBR: -0.8

Surprisingly, Washington is a collectively good team running the bases.

Perhaps even more surprising is that Jerry Hairston, traditionally considered a quick guy and a good baserunner, has been the Nats' worst this season.

Of course, he's barely below zero, so this can't really be considered "bad." Still, this is moderately surprising.

 

Is He Really This Bad?

No. Hairston's career mark is 9.6 UBR, so he has been a great baserunner during his career.