SABR Defensive Index rankings released through September 7, 2014
SEPTEMBER 15, 2014 — The hot corner is the hot spot for the AL leaders in the SABR Defensive Index™ rankings. Oakland third baseman Josh Donaldson and Seattle’s Kyle Seager continue to battle for the league lead in the AL, while Atlanta’s Jason Heyward has maintained a steady lead in the NL through games of September 7, 2014.
The SABR Defensive Index is used to help select the winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® and Rawlings Platinum Glove Award™, presented by SABR.
This is the final in-season update of the SDI rankings and includes all 2014 qualifiers who will appear on the Rawlings Gold Glove Award ballot sent to managers and coaches. The SABR Defensive Index accounts for 30 total “votes” — or approximately 25 percent of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award selection process — which are added to the votes from the managers and coaches.
The SABR Defensive Index draws on and aggregates two types of existing defensive metrics: those derived from batted ball location-based data and those collected from play-by-play accounts. The three metrics representing batted ball data include Defensive Runs Saved from Baseball Info Solutions, Ultimate Zone Rating developed by noted sabermetrician Mitchel Lichtman, and Runs Effectively Defended based on STATS Zone Rating and built by SABR Defensive Committee member Chris Dial. The two metrics included in the SDI originating from play-by-play data are Defensive Regression Analysis, created by committee member Michael Humphreys, and Total Zone Rating.
Donaldson’s SDI of 20.2 is the top figure in the AL, ahead of Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager (17.7), Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon (16.2), and a pair of Boston teammates: second baseman Dustin Pedroia (12.9) and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (10.4).
Heyward’s SDI of 27.2 through September 7 is the best in the game among all qualified defenders. The top five NL players as ranked by SDI, after Heyward, are: New York center fielder Juan Lagares (17.9), Cincinnati shortstop Zack Cozart (14.2), Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado (11.2) and Cincinnati center fielder Billy Hamilton (11.2).
The SDI results were released today by the Society for American Baseball Research.
The final SDI results will be released following the conclusion of the 2014 regular season at SABR.org. The SDI is compiled by the SABR Defensive Committee, which includes SABR President Vince Gennaro, Sean Forman of Baseball-Reference.com, Ben Jedlovec of Baseball Info Solutions, SABR Director F.X. Flinn, author and defensive metrics expert Chris Dial, and author Michael Humphreys.
Here are the top 25 players in each League, through games of September 7, 2014 (click here to view full SDI rankings by position):
AL leaders
| Player | Team | Position | SDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Donaldson | OAK | 3B | 20.2 |
| Kyle Seager | SEA | 3B | 17.7 |
| Alex Gordon | KCR | LF | 16.2 |
| Dustin Pedroia | BOS | 2B | 12.9 |
| Jackie Bradley | BOS | CF | 10.4 |
| Ian Kinsler | DET | 2B | 10.0 |
| J.J. Hardy | BAL | SS | 9.9 |
| Kevin Kiermaier | TBR | RF | 9.5 |
| Daniel Nava | BOS | RF | 8.8 |
| Lorenzo Cain | KCR | CF | 8.5 |
| Jonathan Schoop | BAL | 2B | 8.1 |
| Sam Fuld | MIN/OAK | CF | 8.0 |
| Leonys Martin | TEX | CF | 6.7 |
| Salvador Perez | KCR | C | 6.1 |
| Josh Reddick | OAK | RF | 5.9 |
| Yoenis Cespedes | OAK/BOS | LF | 5.6 |
| Alex Avila | DET | C | 5.6 |
| Robinson Chirinos | TEX | C | 5.5 |
| Dallas Keuchel | HOU | P | 5.3 |
| Manny Machado | BAL | 3B | 5.1 |
| Brian McCann | NYY | C | 5.1 |
| Albert Pujols | LAA | 1B | 4.7 |
| Trevor Plouffe | MIN | 3B | 4.6 |
| Dustin Ackley | SEA | LF | 4.4 |
| Adam Eaton | CHW | CF | 4.3 |
NL leaders
| Player | Team | Position | SDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jason Heyward | ATL | RF | 27.2 |
| Juan Lagares | NYM | CF | 17.9 |
| Zack Cozart | CIN | SS | 14.2 |
| Nolan Arenado | COL | 3B | 11.2 |
| Billy Hamilton | CIN | CF | 11.2 |
| Juan Uribe | LAD | 3B | 11.1 |
| Jhonny Peralta | STL | SS | 11.1 |
| Christian Yelich | MIA | LF | 10.5 |
| Andrelton Simmons | ATL | SS | 10.2 |
| Ender Inciarte | ARI | CF | 9.7 |
| Yadier Molina | STL | C | 9.4 |
| Jimmy Rollins | PHI | SS | 9.0 |
| DJ LeMahieu | COL | 2B | 8.9 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | LAD | 1B | 8.4 |
| Russell Martin | PIT | C | 8.4 |
| Giancarlo Stanton | MIA | RF | 8.1 |
| Chase Utley | PHI | 2B | 7.8 |
| Jordy Mercer | PIT | SS | 7.4 |
| Rene Rivera | SDP | C | 5.8 |
| Pablo Sandoval | SFG | 3B | 5.7 |
| Justin Morneau | COL | 1B | 5.7 |
| Josh Harrison | PIT | 3B | 5.6 |
| Ruben Tejada | NYM | SS | 5.5 |
| Marlon Byrd | PHI | RF | 5.5 |
| Chase Headley | SDP | 3B | 5.4 |
For past results and full details of the SABR Defensive Index, visit SABR.org/SDI.
About SABR
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering research and disseminating the history and record of baseball. Founded in 1971, SABR has more than 6,500 members worldwide and has established itself as a vibrant baseball community and a premier distributor of ground-breaking baseball information. SABR features more than 60 chapters and more than two dozen research committees, and produces three annual publications – two editions of The Baseball Research Journal and The National Pastime – in addition to other print and e-books. SABR also hosts two annual events: the National Convention each summer, and the SABR Analytics Conference in March in Phoenix. For more information about SABR, go to SABR.org.
About the Rawlings Gold Glove Award®
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award® is a registered trademark owned by Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. The award is correctly identified as the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The name should not be shortened, abbreviated or otherwise misused. Proper identification of this service mark using the registration symbol and the Rawlings name is important to protect the integrity of the program and perpetuate this worthy tradition. For more information, please visit www.rawlingsgoldglove.com.
About Rawlings
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods worldwide. Founded in 1887, Rawlings is an authentic global sports brand, trusted by generations of athletes from the sandlot to the pros. Rawlings’ unparalleled quality and expert craftsmanship are the fundamental reasons why more athletes choose Rawlings, and why Rawlings is the Official Batting Helmet and Ball Supplier of Major League Baseball®, the official baseball of Minor League Baseball™ and the NCAA®, and the approved baseball, basketball, football and softball of the National High School Federation®. For more information, please visit www.rawlings.com or by call (314) 819-2800.
Originally published: September 15, 2014. Last Updated: September 15, 2014.