Worst position player defensively

[stlducks]

Who is the worst position player on defense? Do not take in their offensive numbers at all, my vote is Alfonso soriano, I knew he was bad but after watching last nights game he has to be the worst outfielder I have seen in a very long time. He just looks lost.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Number of ways to look at this.

You have guys like Derek Jeter who are absolutely terrible relative to their position and will give up more runs than a weak glove at an easier position (1B) since they have to field more balls, but even a lousy SS would make for a good defensive 1B since the position is much easier to play.

So if you adjust for position, you'll find your answer in the lower tier of defensive 1B (Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, etc.). If you're simply looking at the amount of runs given up regardless of position, I'd point to Jeter, Young, Braun, Dunn, etc.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: Worst position player defensively

I want to say Carlos Guillen, whether he is in LF or at 2nd base. He has no range and no accuracy. And his injuries just killed any athletic ability he had.

[lonewolf371]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Adam Dunn while he was still in the field was the king of bad defense. Other strong candidates include Matt Kemp, Carlos Quentin, Jonny Gomes, and Yuniesky Betancourt if you look at how they fielded their position.

[SPTO]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Edwin Encarnacion. has to at least be the worst 3B in the game. It seems like every game he's throwing the ball wildly and costing the team runs. He truly lives up to the E-5 nickname.

[st0rmb11]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Edwin Encarnacion. has to at least be the worst 3B in the game. It seems like every game he's throwing the ball wildly and costing the team runs. He truly lives up to the E-5 nickname.

this.

it seemed like Encarnacion cost the Reds at least 1 run every night by making an error or not making a play that even an adequate third baseman would have made.

I feel like Adam Dunn at least made the routine plays in left field. Soriano botches those.


and I don't know if it was just the series, but Brooks Conrad last year in the divisional series was awful. hard to watch.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Adam Dunn while he was still in the field was the king of bad defense. Other strong candidates include Matt Kemp, Carlos Quentin, Jonny Gomes, and Yuniesky Betancourt if you look at how they fielded their position.

That's if you believe an otherwise decent centerfielder fell off the defensive cliff at age 25.

[Vince]

Re: Worst position player defensively

E5 Edwin Encarnacion

[19]

Re: Worst position player defensively

The Chicago LF duo of Alfonso Soriano and Juan Pierre.

[IVPaleRiderIV]

Re: Worst position player defensively

I agree with above posters mentioning Encarnacion and Dunn. I remember once when Dunn was still hitting 3rd inning solo homeruns with the Reds, there was an interview with Jim Leyland about a potential trade. The question was asked what position he'd play in Detroit and Leyland in his classic way said "are you kidding? He can leave his glove here (Cincinnati)." And double EE? Have fun with him Toronto.

Also someone mentioned Jonny Gomes. Now while I do agree to some extent, I have to say that a lot of Gomes' shortcomings on defense come because he overplays the position at times. Compared to Dunn, Gomes is Carl Crawford in LF lol. Dunn reminded me of a 3 legged horse out there.

[IlliniM1ke]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Probably not the worst overall but Ryan Theriot really seems to routinely botch up plays at SS for the Cards.

Lance Berkman isn't very good defensively either, hes a statue out there and any ball hit his way can be problematic if he has to run for it.

[lonewolf371]

Re: Worst position player defensively

That's if you believe an otherwise decent centerfielder fell off the defensive cliff at age 25.

Well he was quite epically bad last season, and he was called out on it by his manager, I believe.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Well, Joe Torre is gone and he's playing top-notch again. I'll take a majority career over one bad season this time.

I want to throw Chase Headley here, only for LF.

[metal134]

Re: Worst position player defensively

I don't know if he's neccessarily the worst, but after watching years of Jhonny Peralta's bumbling defense in Cleveland, I'd say he's right up there.

[lonewolf371]

Re: Worst position player defensively

Well, Joe Torre is gone and he's playing top-notch again. I'll take a majority career over one bad season this time.

I want to throw Chase Headley here, only for LF.

In what way is he playing top notch, now? In what way was top notch in the past? He's had a negative UZR every year of his major league career except one.