The Nationals Are Poor at Run Prevention

by
June 15, 2009

Although it wasn’t the entire reason, Manny Acta was fired in part because of the atrocious defense played by the Nationals. The collection of gloves is the worst in the league, with a -27.2 combined UZR. Not only is that nearly three wins thrown away by poor leather, but also nearly 10 runs worst than the Marlins, who rank 29th. Giving Acta a DH to shuffle around multiple outfield positions and one too many talented corner outfielders with one too few talented centerfielders was a recipe for defensive inadequacy.

It seems like a mistake to play an outfield that features Dunn, Elijah Dukes, and Corey Patterson and have Patterson play right, but that’s what Acta did on Sunday. Maybe he didn’t care anymore; after all, rumors of his termination were already well spread by Saturday night. Critics of Acta’s are going to write that he was fired because his rotation has a 5.19 ERA. In reality their 4.82 FIP isn’t fantastic, but is lower than the Rangers rotation. The difference is defense.

Amongst the Nationals problems this year:

First baseman Nick Johnson is usually a solid defender but has taken his lumps in 2009. His Range Runs are in the negative as are his Error Runs. Johnson’s range has been trending down for three consecutive seasons, yet it still seems like a safe bet to expect that to move closer to 0 rather than towards -5 as the season continues. The low point of his season may have been on Friday night, when he dropped a foul ball and Gabe Kapler homered on the next pitch.

Willie Harris is statistically the Nationals worst fielder. Harris is usually a solid defender. As with Johnson, I don’t buy that his skills have decayed in the matter of one off-season. Even the increased time in center shouldn’t have this affect on him.

Adam Dunn is … well …. Adam Dunn.

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Obviously Acta isn’t without blame, but he should take this as a learning experience. Much like how Terry Francona did.





 

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Preston
16 years ago

While I’m sure he will be before too long, you’re jumping the gun a bit here – Manny Acta has not yet been fired. Might want to edit that part of your article for the time being.

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