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Labor of glove: Statcast tracks best D of 2016
- Updated: September 6, 2016
Throughout 2016, Statcast™ has tracked every movement on the field, providing a data-driven view of the game’s top defensive gems.
With only about a month remaining on the schedule, now is a good opportunity to review the best of the best. Here is a look at one superlative play this season from each position on the field (except pitcher), and what makes them so impressive, according to Statcast™.
Catcher: Martin Maldonado’s pop time When it comes to catching a runner stealing, the throw alone tends to grab most of the attention. Yet that’s only one piece of the equation. The catcher can unleash a sizzling strike to second base, but if he lets go of it too late, it won’t matter.
So to prevent a steal, first the pitcher must deliver the ball to the plate quickly. Then, the catcher must get rid of it quickly. This latter period of time, from the moment the catcher receives the pitch to the moment his throw arrives at its target, is known as pop time. A great one requires efficient footwork, a smooth exchange from glove to hand and — of course — arm strength.
The top catchers in the Majors average a bit less than two seconds with their pop time. But back on April 14 in St. Louis, the Brewers’ Maldonado set the standard for an individual play. With one out, Jeremy Hazelbaker took off from first base against pitcher Wily Peralta, who delivered an 87.1-mph pitch up in the zone. Knowing he had to hurry, Maldonado started coming out of his crouch as the ball approached, made the exchange in 0.62 seconds as he fell back to his knees and still managed an accurate 87.4-mph throw, his second-fastest of the year to second base.
Thanks in large part to the 1.72-second pop time, Hazelbaker was out, and the Cardinals didn’t score in the inning.
First base: Wil Myers’ throw A good arm isn’t a requirement for first basemen, who have to worry about catching throws more than making them. Still, it’s a luxury to have.
As a player who began his pro career as a catcher and arrived in the Majors as an outfielder, Myers has an edge in that department. He used it to make a big play for the Padres at Philadelphia on April 13, when the Phillies’ Peter Bourjos tried to score from second on a ground ball to shortstop. After catching Alexi Amarista’s late throw, Myers turned and sent an 82.0-mph rocket to the plate, where Christian Bethancourt applied the tag for an out. It remains the hardest throw by a first baseman this year.
Second base: Brandon Phillips’ …
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