Evaluating defense in MLB is one of the trickiest exercises you will see.
Where do teams place the highest value? Making the routine play? How about arm strength and accuracy? Range? It’s complicated because defense, in baseball, involves many things.
One of the most popular defensive stats used today is Defensive Runs Saved or DRS.
The Cleveland Guardians, highly regarded as an elite defensive team, happen to lead this state.
First, let’s dive in and explain what is it about.
Per MLB.com, “DRS quantifies a player’s entire defensive performance by attempting to measure how many runs a defender saved. It takes into account errors, range, outfield arm, and double-play ability.”
It’s a model based on how likely a defender is to make a certain play considering similar balls in play.
The Guards are an amazing fielding team, and these rankings prove it.
“Top 10 MLB Teams in Defensive Runs Saved: 1. Guardians; 2. Blue Jays & Royals; 4. Brewers; 5. Braves; 6. Rangers; 7. Mariners; 8. Dodgers & Yankees; 10. Orioles,” SIS Baseball tweeted.
Top 10 MLB Teams in Defensive Runs Saved
1. Guardians
2. Blue Jays & Royals
4. Brewers
5. Braves
6. Rangers
7. Mariners
8. Dodgers & Yankees
10. Orioleshttps://t.co/g9YCcfrUD1 pic.twitter.com/jAfErytDhO— SIS_Baseball (@sis_baseball) July 17, 2024
Some other defensive stats and metrics place importance on other aspects of the craft.
In the specific case of DRS, however, there is no team like Cleveland in MLB.
Of course, it helps when you have a Platinum Glove award winner, Andres Gimenez, pacing American League second basemen with 12 DRS.
Brayan Rocchio is second among American League shortstops with six DRS, behind Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto; and Gold Glover Steven Kwan leads AL left fielders with six DRS, too.
With an improving lineup, an incredible bullpen, and rock-solid team defense, the Guardians are one or two starters away from being a true powerhouse and World Series contender.
NEXT: Guardians Depth Starter Makes Successful Rehab Appearance
