MLB: Derek Jeter Has Good Range but 64 SS Had More Range Than Ozzie Smith

I always thought that Derek Jeter was an excellent shortstop. I have been watching him since 1995, but in 2008, I discovered my ignorance.

Professor Shane Jensen, who is employed by the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, developed a formula that purported to measure the probability of the average player at each position recording an out on a batted ball.

The good professor then compared the result to individual players' statistics to determine how many runs each player prevented or allowed.

Can anyone guess who was the majors’ worst defensive shortstop from 2002-05. Right, it was Derek Jeter.

Bill James has developed a method of determining defensive ability that is used by those “experts” on the cutting-edge of modern methods of evaluating players that complements Jensen's.

Range Factor is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defensive position.

The statistic’s premise is that the total number of outs that a player participates in evaluates his defensive play.

(The following are based on RF/9 innings)

Jeter has a lifetime range factor of 4.11 per nine innings. His best is 4.76 in 2005 and his worst is 3.60 in 2011.

Wait a minute. We were told that from 2002-05, Jeter was baseball’s worst fielding shortstop.

How can Professor Jensen’s method and Bill James’ method reach diametrically opposed conclusions?

The 2011 Boston Red Sox pitchers lead the American League with 1,047 strikeouts. Their shortstops, primarily Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie, have a combined 3.83 RF.

The Minnesota Twins pitchers have struck out 823 batters, which is lowest in the league. Their shortstops have a range factor of 4.66.

Is it possible that the Twins defense has had more chances that the Red Sox defense? Of course it is.

Twins’ pitchers have a ground out/fly out ratio of 1.03.

The Twins have 3,747 putouts, 823 of which are strikeouts. The number of putouts not counting strikeouts is 2,924.

Red Sox have 3,808 putouts, 1,047 of which are strikeouts. The number of putouts without counting strikeouts is 2,761.

Red Sox hurlers have a ground out/fly out ratio of 0.94.

Is it possible that a flaw exists in RF? Is it possible that a pitching staff is a critical variable when determining Range Factor?

Is it possible that the Twins shortstops have an almost one point better RF than the Red Sox shortstops because they have had more chances?

As an individual, who might become a ground-breaker for women’s rights might say, “you betcha.”

Another variable is the fact that defensive alignments are important in determining how many plays a fielder makes.

Some managers tend to have their outfielders play deep to prevent extra base hits. Third basemen may be told to play close to the line. This is another major factor that affects Range Factor.

Finally, Ozzie Smith is generally considered the greatest defensive shortstop in history, His range factor for nine innings of 5.215 is fifth behind Bill Almon, Rick Burleson, Tim Foli and Mark Belanger.

Range Factor ignores the fact that Ozzie played on artificial turf, which affected his range.

Finally, if one turns to RF/game, in the history of baseball, 64 shortstops had higher career Range Factors better than Ozzie Smith’s. 

Does anyone who ever saw Ozzie play believe that?