Sharpest Tools In The Shed | Baseball America

JACKSONVILLE - Hopefully, this article silences some of those who feel that Yadier Molina is a better defensive catcher than Posey. Although, I doubt it will.

Also, some in the pocket protector crowd at SABR continue to make the ridiculous case that Addison Russell is a better defensive SS than Brandon Crawford. "Crawford has two Gold Gloves that belong to Russell" according to their convoluted metrics. I actually heard that at SABR48 from somebody.

Any statistical hocus-pocus that gives you that result needs to be re-engineered. Russell isn't even the best defensive SS on his own team, Javier Baez is. Russell doesn't even make the top three in the NL according to the experts that BA polled.

Every year Baseball America polls managers, scouts and executives to identify the best players in a variety of categories. Here are the results for 2018.

from Baseball America:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2018-mlb-best-tools/

Best Defensive C1. Buster Posey, Giants2. Austin Hedges, Padres3. Yasmani Grandal, Dodgers

Best Defensive 1B1. Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs2. Freddie Freeman, Braves3. Anthony Rizzo, Cubs

Best Defensive 2B1. D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies2. Javier Baez, Cubs3. Ozzie Albies, Braves

 Best Defensive 3B

1. Nolan Arenado, Rockies2. Anthony Rendon, Nationals3. Johan Camargo, Braves

Best Defensive SS1. Brandon Crawford, Giants2. Nick Ahmed, D-backs3. Trea Turner, Nationals

I know this is blasphemy coming from a member of SABR but, sometimes the eye test wins.

Rage against the Machine(s).

...and screw Ben Zobrist and Anthony Rizzo and Saint Jospeh. If we're going to go down this robo-ump rabbit-hole, let's just go full throttle stupid and replace the players with robots that we can bet on or against and have a total fantasy, non-reality sport.

Screw the human element and remove it in "all" aspects of the game including the players and coaches.

Really getting tired of these ass-hats and the direction this game appears to be going. Let them become the NFL and the NBA, there's a reason I don't watch those clowns anymore.