2059 Defensive Profile Preferences - Shortstop

[BaseClogger]

In a vacuum, which defensive ratings would you prefer at shortstop? I've listed the ratings the way they appear in the game: infield range-infield error-infield arm-turn double play.

[RonCo]

interesting question

[RT60]

looks like I should be prioritizing range based on the results.

[RonCo]

Given today's ratings, a 7 range can sometimes make it at shortstop. But they probably need to hit a lot.

[BaseClogger]

@Dington since you voted the top range profile I’m curious: if I offered you 11-5-5-5 as an option would you have taken it?

[Dington]

@Dington since you voted the top range profile I’m curious: if I offered you 11-5-5-5 as an option would you have taken it?

Yes. I was torn on 10/6/6 over 9/7/7, but 9 range at SS is rough. Whoever these guys are better be able to hit the ball lol

[RonCo]

In our league last year, an 8 range played to a ZR of roughly +3 down to maybe -4. So an 8 will be meh, but definitely workable if they can hit a little. That said, you just don't see "8" range playing many games if they don't come with high side-cars.

There were, for example, no 8-8-8-8 shortstops to be found in the BBA last year...at least none with any significant playing time. The closest was maybe Bikini's Jim Vineyard (8-9-8-9), who was forced to play 55 games short due to two other injuries. He turned a -3.5 ZR there.

San Fernando's Kevin Corbett (9-7-7-7) did 1.6 ZR in 52 games.

But Steveland Morris (9-8-9-8) managed only 1.2 ZR in 131 games.

Chicago's Ayyad Faisal (8-8-10-9) turned in 2.8 ZR in 117 games.

That said, like all things ZR, everything is relative. Give me a 5 WAR shortstop with -6 ZR, and I'm a happy camper.

[RonCo]

Very few shortstops get any substantial playing time in the BBA if their range is "7" or below. Those that do wind up sub-double digits:

Here are the bottom four shortstop ZR of guys who had at lest 50 games at the role:

Dan Corbett (JAX) - 7-7-7-6: -9.7 ZR [66 G]
Scott Torres (LOU) - 8-8-9-7: -13.4 ZR [134 G]
Billy McKay (EDM) - 6-10-8-10: -15.0 ZR [117 G]
Pepe Espinosa (BRK) - 6-8-6-10: -15.7 ZR [101 G]

[RonCo]

You cannot find 10-6-6-6 guys either. In fact, the closest you can get by a long shot is:

Roberto Lopez (RCK) - 10-7-7-7: -1.1 ZR (30 G)

There were two other players who brought 10 Range to the position, but scored negative zone rating in somewhat limited play:

Cernunnos Haberknuckle (POR) - 10-9-8-9: -0.6 ZR (70 G)
John Jowers (EDM) - 10-8-6-10: -0.6 ZR (17 G)

[Trebro]

SS is probably the hardest position to fill in the BBA right now.

[Jwalk100]

I use range, arm, turn double play then error. The better hitter with lower defensive ability will win out for me if he puts up big offensive numbers but those are few.

[ae37jr]

Voted 9/7/7/7 out of the choices, but ideally I'd want a better error rating if they only have 9 range.

Though I will also go mid 80s Mets on occasion and put a Howard Johnson/Kevin Mitchell type at SS if I have a Sid Fernandez (extreme flyball pitcher) on the hill. That's really the fun part of this game. Trying to build a cohesive team with what you've got. Emphasizing strengths and hiding weaknesses.