The Defensive Efficiency statistic

[TB_11]

I saw on BP that the Cubs are 2nd in the NL in Defensive Efficiency (measured as 1-BABIP). How useful is this stat? Does it indicate that the Cubs defense has been strong? Or is this another relatively uninformative defensive statistic?

[Guest]

I think over a large sample size it can tell you something. I'm not sure I trust that the Cubs defense is that good.

[cheapseats]

It's a very useful stat. Team defense is much, much easier to measure than individual defense.

 

The Cubs defense has been very strong so far this year.

[Ender]

Over a small sample its extremely luck based, I wouldn't read much into it just yet.

[nilodnayr]

Over a small sample its extremely luck based, I wouldn't read much into it just yet.

 

If you think about it though we are about 1/4 of the way through the season. Meaning the sample is about twice as much as a full season of a starting pitcher or four times as much as a full season of a starting position player (of the top of my head).

[seanimal]

Over a small sample its extremely luck based, I wouldn't read much into it just yet.

 

If you think about it though we are about 1/4 of the way through the season. Meaning the sample is about twice as much as a full season of a starting pitcher or four times as much as a full season of a starting position player (of the top of my head).

 

what

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Over a small sample its extremely luck based, I wouldn't read much into it just yet.

 

If you think about it though we are about 1/4 of the way through the season. Meaning the sample is about twice as much as a full season of a starting pitcher or four times as much as a full season of a starting position player (of the top of my head).

 

what

 

40 games is 360 innings, almost twice as much as a starting pitcher would throw(~200).

[Ender]

Yeah the sample is getting bigger but it still changes pretty quickly. Two weeks ago the Giants had the best in the NL at something like .739 and I told my friend it meant they were just lucky, we had this same basic conversation. Today it sits at .715 and the team ERA has gone up almost half a run and thats with their pitching actually improving with Lincecum brought up.

 

In the Cubs case it also partially points to how cold it has been and to the fact the wind has been blowing in at Wrigley for the majority of the season so far.