World Series 2016: Statistical and Positional Comparison
By Matt Veasey
SHORTSTOP
Addison Russell is the Cubs’ 22-year-old entry in Major League Baseball’s outstanding crop of new young shortstops.
He hit for just a .238/.321/.417 slash line in 598 plate appearances over 151 games, but with pop: 21 homers, 49 extra-base hits, and 95 RBI. Russell scored 67 runs and had a 97 OPS+ mark.
Francisco Lindor is the Indians’ own 22-year-old (he turns 23 in three weeks) entry in that new shortstop crop.
Lindor hit for a .301/.358/.435 slash in 684 plate appearances over 158 games. He contributed 15 homers, 48 extra-base hits, 78 RBI, 99 runs scored, and stole 19 bases.
Lindor was also 3rd in Fangraphs defensive WAR at shortstop among all MLB players at the position, while Russell ranked 7th on the list.
Yet another position where there is genuine talent on both clubs. But I like Lindor’s all-around game a little better. Better defensively, more speed, but without surrendering all in pop.