2020 SIM 3 Complete - Next SIM Sun 2/11

[Delandis]

I don't know, but in fairness to my scout, defensive statistics over the last several years suggest LaRossa is a terrible defensive third baseman.

He does seem to be performing more acceptably in the first few weeks of this season -- at least in terms of having good hands and a strong arm -- although it's hard for me to say how much is genuine improvement as opposed to a small sample.

He cut his ZR from -11 in his rookie season in 2017 to -5 in 2018. Then in 2019, he committed the fewest errors in 2019 (4) amongst all starting third basemen This is after he committed 14 in both 2017 and 2018. That is definitely improvement and he's only 24.

He's not going to rob anyone at 3rd base and he's not going to win any DWI's, but he doesn't hurt us too badly defensively and he can hit and run the bases well enough to make that deficiency up. He may not have a lot of range, but when you only commit 4 errors in over 1000 IP, I'm not sure if you really should be labeled a "terrible" defender.

[Z]

He cut his ZR from -11 in his rookie season in 2017 to -5 in 2018. Then in 2019, he committed the fewest errors in 2019 (4) amongst all starting third basemen This is after he committed 14 in both 2017 and 2018. That is definitely improvement and he's only 24.

He's not going to rob anyone at 3rd base and he's not going to win any DWI's, but he doesn't hurt us too badly defensively and he can hit and run the bases well enough to make that deficiency up. He may not have a lot of range, but when you only commit 4 errors in over 1000 IP, I'm not sure if you really should be labeled a "terrible" defender.

He certainly has good hands and a plus arm. No question about it.

But he did rank third-worst in defensive efficiency and zone rating among all third basemen in 2019.

I'm not trying to diminish LaRossa's overall contributions. He has a very good bat for a third baseman and he runs well, too. Plus he's a switch hitter. There's a lot to like.

And I'm not even saying he's unplayable at third. I wouldn't personally play him there because of my obsession with defense, but that doesn't mean he's so bad it destroys his value.

But among guys who are playable there, I think he is among the worst defenders. You'd be hard-pressed to look around the league and find more than a couple starting third basemen who are worse with the glove than LaRossa.

[Guest]

He's not going to rob anyone at 3rd base and he's not going to win any DWI's, but he doesn't hurt us too badly defensively and he can hit and run the bases well enough to make that deficiency up. He may not have a lot of range, but when you only commit 4 errors in over 1000 IP, I'm not sure if you really should be labeled a "terrible" defender.

Also allowing more hits because of the lack of range. And his error number is artificially lower because of said lack of range.