Just my luck, i came across UZR ratings analysis since 2002 done by the baseball analysts. Only two players have been worse in the outfield, however, both Griffey and Bernie used to be great so they get a reprieve. No such excuse for adam dunn. Also, how great was Andruw Jones! How quickly the mighty fall
I know patience can't be taught be seriously, can't defense? Is Adam Dunn that retarded/ did no one bother to teach Adam Dunn how to play defense?
ReplyDeleteIt's hard and takes practice to learn how to get the right jump after contact has been made so I give him SOME leeway, but its kind of pathetic how bad Dunn is. Good thing motherfucker walks and hits 40+ HRs a year
As for the WBC game, let's give the man some credit as well, how often as Adam Dunn played 1B? Yes, it's the easiest position but it still takes some getting used to. Just like anything, you need some practice and getting used to. Remember Moneyball? Scott Hetteberg was moved to first after playing catcher throughout his career and if he was put out to play 1B immediately, he would have sucked as well. But after practice he got better. Let's wait and see how good, or rather bad, Dunn is defensively after significant playing time before we judge him
Yeah, yeah. Dunn is a DB/1B playing the OF. So is Jermaine Dye, whose fielding since 2002 has been worth -75.6 runs.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure, however, that Adam Dunn's -83.6 career fielding Runs below average since 2002 is slightly offset by his 188.7 batting runs above average (and once you factor it all, including his 109 net positional/replacement career runs, his career composite runs above average comes out to 200 (or 20 wins)).
Jones is still a SICK defender. It's a shame he's fat and bad at hitting now. He never was a great contact hitter and now that his bat speed is slower than his fat intake...well...
Sexy, defense isnt just something you "teach" -- it requires athleticism, range, etc. Some people just don't have it. Dunn has the defensive range of a BGRA player. But who gives a shit. He's a monster at the plate!
ReplyDeleteIf Giambi can learn 1B, so can Dunn. Good point Sexy Rexy
I find it hard to believe that defense is an innate ability and you either have it or you don't. I understand it takes athleticism and range and those stuff can be learned or taught or worked on. When a player who is that good offensively yet costing your team so much with his defense, I find it hard to believe that the specific skill sets to improve Dunn's defense wasn't worked on. And if they were worked on, then Adam Dunn really doesn't care about baseball and if giving GMs a legit reason to be weary of him.
ReplyDeleteI see no reason why defense can't be taught. Now patience at the plate, that you either have or you don't. But you can work on getting fitter, you can work on athleticism, you can work, on things to improve your defense. I've seen Paul Konerko make some nice catches and whatnot. Ive seen Prince Fielder jump six feet in the air to catch a line drive. I just find it hard to believe that if Adam Dunn is training hard and working on his defense, that his play at 1B, especially as he gets used to it, won't be nearly as bad as his defense in LF.
Plus, things like getting used to getting thrown to often and throwing to certain bases can easily (for a professional baseball player) be learned and that probably just takes some getting used to. I truly believe that the throwing errors like the one Dunn made last night will decrease once he gets used to playing first. Seriously how many times had Dunn played 1B before that WBC game?
I actually think playing 1B at such a competitive level for the next couple games will help Dunn prepare for playing 1B next year
For example, you can't just MAKE a guy run faster. You can have him lose weight, train, but his basic skill set is what he's given. Additionally, the amount of effort needed to reshape a skillset is TREMENDOUS (and probably inefficient)
ReplyDeleteWhy is defensive any more teachable than walking? A good eye for pitches is just as much of a skill that cannot be taught as is depth perception, spacial referencing and other visual (not to mention mechanical ones) necessary in fielding balls.
Why do you assume it's something that can "easily (for a professional baseball player) be learned"? Baseball is not a simple game and the reason so few players make it far is that those who are just MLB average in skill are few and far between -- which is why Fangraphs gives all players a +2 wins adjustment. The avg AAA+ player is worth -2 wins compared to the MLB average. It's not a very easy game to play and its extremely hard to reteach as you get older.
On a related note,
I'm sure Dunn can't be any worse than Ryan Howard or Mike Jacobs
i'll put this simply. you cant teach someone to be a great defender. It's a skill you're born with. Dunn should be better than he is, but his better would still be far below average
ReplyDelete