Defensive spectrum
From Wiki Gonzalez
Defensive spectrum is a Bill James concept in sabermetrics regarding the defensive value of positions on a baseball field (excluding pitchers).
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Definition
In the 1982 Baseball Abstract, James produced the following definition of the defensive spectrum, from easiest position to hardest:
- DH - 1B - LF - RF - 3B - CF - 2B - SS
Catcher (C) is not part of the spectrum, but is understood to be the absolute toughest position to field.
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Conclusions
- Players hit less (aggregately speaking) the further right you move along the defensive spectrum.
- As players age, leftward shifts along the defensive spectrum are normal and expected, and therefore they need to hit more to retain their jobs. Natural rightward shifts almost never happen.
- Forced rightward shifts along the defensive spectrum almost never work (for example, a manager moving his right fielder to third base).
- There is a scarcity of players on the rightward side of the spectrum, and a corresponding abundance on the leftward side. Therefore, teams need to address roster problems on the rightward side before worrying about those on the leftward side.
- Baseball's greatest stars tend to begin their professional careers as shortstops or center fielders. Equivalent offensive performers who begin their careers as corner outfielders or first basemen have much lower ceilings.
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References
- Baseball Analysts: Abstracts from the Abstracts (http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2004/08/abstracts_from_17.php) - Rich Lederer's review of the 1982 Abstract
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Contrarian View
It's not a spectrum, it's an n-dimensional matrix.
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