Soriano again top LF arm

[JGalt73]

Via The Hardball Times

 

It lists the top 25 arms at saving bases (thus runs) and throwing out runners from each outfield spot:

 

Alfonso Soriano has done it again. For the third straight season, Soriano takes top honors in throwing for a left fielder. As in past years, Soriano excelled in nailing baserunners.

 

Soriano was hurt for part of the 2008 season and only accrued about a half-season's worth of opportunities, but he made the most of them. He impressively threw out four runners trying to score from third base on a fly ball. Curiously, Soriano's hold rate is only about average, despite his proficiency in gunning down opponents since he became an outfielder. You'd think that runners would start wising up.

 

FYI... Fukudome was middle of the pack in this regard in RF.

[inari]

Again, Soriano is not a terrible defensive outfielder like everyone makes him out to be. His arm and decent range make up for his occasional misjudgments of flyballs.

[cubbinalltheway]

Again, Soriano is not a terrible defensive outfielder like everyone makes him out to be. His arm and decent range make up for his occasional misjudgments of flyballs.

i cant agree. he's great at throwing out runners, and is really accurate for the most part. but he's far too lackadaisical (sp?) out there, and makes too many stupid plays. seems to be a bit on the passive side when it comes to chasing after balls as well. which, considering his injury history, might not be such a bad thing. but you dont ever see him laying out jim edmonds style.

 

edited to add: it sure seems like he threw out more than 4 runners trying to score last year!

Edited January 22, 2009 by cubbinalltheway

[jersey cubs fan]

Via The Hardball Times

 

It lists the top 25 arms at saving bases (thus runs) and throwing out runners from each outfield spot:

 

Alfonso Soriano has done it again. For the third straight season, Soriano takes top honors in throwing for a left fielder. As in past years, Soriano excelled in nailing baserunners.

 

Soriano was hurt for part of the 2008 season and only accrued about a half-season's worth of opportunities, but he made the most of them. He impressively threw out four runners trying to score from third base on a fly ball. Curiously, Soriano's hold rate is only about average, despite his proficiency in gunning down opponents since he became an outfielder. You'd think that runners would start wising up.

 

FYI... Fukudome was middle of the pack in this regard in RF.

 

Wasn't he out there for like 2/3 of the season? Were they just rounding, or did he get in inordinately low amount of opportunities for some reason?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

PMR has Soriano as an average fielder for the last 3 years. UZR has him slightly above average in '06 and '07, and slightly below average in '08.

[Brett]

All I know is I love watching him throw, hate watching him catch.

[GhostRunner]

edited to add: it sure seems like he threw out more than 4 runners trying to score last year!

The four runners mentioned are only those on third who tried to score on a fly ball. Soriano had 10 total outfield assists in 2008, which would have also included runners thrown out trying to score from second on a single and runners thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles.

 

Strangely, BBR mentions that Soriano played an inning at second base last season ... does anyone remember when this happened? :-k

[SouthSideRyan]

edited to add: it sure seems like he threw out more than 4 runners trying to score last year!

The four runners mentioned are only those on third who tried to score on a fly ball. Soriano had 10 total outfield assists in 2008, which would have also included runners thrown out trying to score from second on a single and runners thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles.

 

Strangely, BBR mentions that Soriano played an inning at second base last season ... does anyone remember when this happened? :-k

 

4th game of the year against Stros.

[GhostRunner]

edited to add: it sure seems like he threw out more than 4 runners trying to score last year!

The four runners mentioned are only those on third who tried to score on a fly ball. Soriano had 10 total outfield assists in 2008, which would have also included runners thrown out trying to score from second on a single and runners thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles.

 

Strangely, BBR mentions that Soriano played an inning at second base last season ... does anyone remember when this happened? :-k

 

4th game of the year against Stros.

You have a good memory. Mine's old and crusty.

[SouthSideRyan]

edited to add: it sure seems like he threw out more than 4 runners trying to score last year!

The four runners mentioned are only those on third who tried to score on a fly ball. Soriano had 10 total outfield assists in 2008, which would have also included runners thrown out trying to score from second on a single and runners thrown out trying to stretch singles into doubles.

 

Strangely, BBR mentions that Soriano played an inning at second base last season ... does anyone remember when this happened? :-k

 

4th game of the year against Stros.

You have a good memory. Mine's old and crusty.

 

BR's game logs.

[CubbieBum]

If a guy has a stupid errors but makes up for it with great throws then overall he breaks even.

[Bull]

If a guy has a stupid errors but makes up for it with great throws then overall he breaks even.

A gross oversimplification, but the point stands.

[The Other 15]

With his lackadaisical approach, I would bet that Soriano allows more runners to reach second than the top fielding Left Fielders. However, with his arm, I would also guess he keeps runners from going to 3rd base from first base than most top fielding LF's. Like everything with Fonsy, you have to take the good with the bad.

[Jehrico]

Again, Soriano is not a terrible defensive outfielder like everyone makes him out to be. His arm and decent range make up for his occasional misjudgments of flyballs.

He's like everything else in life. You take the good with the bad.

[Moises a loo]

Again, Soriano is not a terrible defensive outfielder like everyone makes him out to be. His arm and decent range make up for his occasional misjudgments of flyballs.

He's like everything else in life. You take the good with the bad.

 

Where the Cubs never seem

To be living up to your dreams

[Soul]

Again, Soriano is not a terrible defensive outfielder like everyone makes him out to be. His arm and decent range make up for his occasional misjudgments of flyballs.

He's like everything else in life. You take the good with the bad.

 

I try to focus on the good. When he goes on one of his tears at the plate, it's a beautiful thing to see. Let's hope to see a couple more hot streaks than usual this year.