Once upon a time, errors and fielding percentage were used to measure and analyze defense.
However, with modern times came more advanced methods to evaluate this crucial part of the game.
Concepts like Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) appeared, and then it was time for Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and Outs Above Average (OAA) to become widespread.
These are range-based metrics that provide a better picture of defensive value.
Teams who fare well in these stats are performing well defensively and making more plays than the average squad.
Since the two stats are created differently, they can have varying opinions about a specific squad.
The Detroit Tigers, however, are a good defensive ballclub according to both DRS and OAA.
“Team leaders in Defensive Runs Saved: 1. Tigers 15; Rangers 15; Royals 15; 4. Jays 13; 5. Guardians 10. Outs Above Average: 1. Rangers 8; 2. Brewers 7; 3. Tigers 6; Padres 6; 5. Jays 5,” MLB insider Buster Olney tweeted.
Team leaders in Defensive Runs Saved:1. Tigers 15Rangers 15Royals 154. Jays 135. Guardians 10
Outs Above Average 1. Rangers 82. Brewers 73. Tigers 6Padres 65. Jays 5We’ve got Rangers-Braves on Sunday Night Baseball this week.
The Tigers lead the league in DRS and are third in the Statcast-based OAA, per Olney.
They have solid defenders like rookie infielder Colt Keith, catcher Carson Kelly, outfielder Riley Greene, and shortstop Javier Baez, just to name a few.
As a team, they excel in DRS, which considers errors, range, outfield arm, and double-play ability; and in OAA, which examines catch probability and studies range.
No matter how you slice it, the Tigers are a sound defensive team, which is almost as important as pitching or hitting.
It’s probably one of the reasons why the team entered Wednesday with a solid 10-8 record in the AL Central.
The Tigers have improved in several areas, with defense being one of them.