Outs Above Average: MLB’s best defenders according to new stat

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 23: Victor Robles #16 of the Washington Nationals steals second base in front of Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs during the third inning of a game at Wrigley Field on August 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 23: Victor Robles #16 of the Washington Nationals steals second base in front of Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs during the third inning of a game at Wrigley Field on August 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
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Outs Above Average: MLB’s best defensive SS

Javier Baez +19

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The King of Infield Defense, El Mago, Javier Baez. Play after dazzling play is the best infielder in all of baseball being worth an incredible +19 OAA.  Baez gets there by being a strong +7 OAA going up the middle and forward which isn’t a surprise given his range and ability to make throws from any angle.  He’s no slouch going to his right either adding another 4 OAA.  The one area he “struggles” in is going backwards adding one more run to his tally.

Andrelton Simmons +16

The former King of the Infield, Simmons is now 30 years old and still bringing the flash with the leather being +16 OAA.  Simmons is even better than Baez getting to balls up the middle being +OAA on account of his range and absolute cannon for an arm.  He also matches Baez at +7 going forward.  The only area he “lags” behind is going right and behind him.

Nick Ahmed +16

Ahmed may only have a 92 wRC+ but he more than makes up for his bat by adding +16 OAA.  Ahmed is a solid +5 going to his left and backwards +2 while being average going towards 3B.  Where he really shines is being the best of any SS going forward swallowing weakly hit grounders and being worth +10 OAA.

So there you have it.  Javier Baez is the best fielder in baseball.  The numbers proved what your eyes already knew.  Like all new metrics, there are some players that surprise you but the guys who dazzle with the glove are now statistically proven to be incredible.