Dewan: The best and worst defensive players in 2017

From SABR member John Dewan at ACTA Sports on August 17, 2017:

Thus far during the 2017 season, Mookie Betts sits atop the Defensive Runs Saved leaderboard, saving 28 runs in right field for the Boston Red Sox.

It has been an encore performance for Betts as he led all of Major League Baseball by saving 32 runs in 2016. This figure was seven runs ahead of the next ranked player from last season, Kevin Kiermaier. Given that Kiermaier was able to save 26 runs in 2016 and 42 runs in 2015 (the most by any player in a given season since Baseball Info Solutions began tracking the data in 2003), the 2017 season had the potential to be a defensive showdown for the ages between these two AL East outfield glove wizards. Alas it was not to be, as similar to the 2016 season Kiermaier has missed significant time this year due to injury (hip fracture). In contrast to Kiermaier, Betts has been healthy all season and is on pace to improve on his stellar 2016 defensive performance.

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Originally published: August 17, 2017. Last Updated: August 17, 2017.