Simmons' Defense Has "Slumped" This Year

[sturg33]

I've noticed quite a bit this year that Simmons hasn't made plays I'm accustomed to him making. Not that he's been bad, he certainly hasn't. But at the same time, he hasn't been awesome either. I thought maybe I was just imagining things, but then came across this article on fangraphs.

Link

The plays in this article are extremely difficult. But I've noticed others that easier that were not made - including that two error (one charged) game in St. Louis.

Anyways, I do hope this is just a slump, and last year was not a crazy aberration. We are certainly paying him to be a defensive wizard.

[rico43]

The easy answer to this is that Simmons' 2013 defensive season was one of the best by ANYONE in MLB HISTORY. To surpass that kind of performance would require something almost inhuman, and to expect matching or surpassing is just a little unreasonable. Simmons, I think, is working on his hitting this year -- which is as it should be. His defensive reputation is intact.

[DaneHill]

That 2-error game was the game after he came back from his day off for "family reasons". When the errors happened, I wondered if whatever was going on with his family was distracting him a bit. Still, hard to live up to last year.

[zitothebrave]

The easy answer to this is that Simmons' 2013 defensive season was one of the best by ANYONE in MLB HISTORY. To surpass that kind of performance would require something almost inhuman, and to expect matching or surpassing is just a little unreasonable. Simmons, I think, is working on his hitting this year -- which is as it should be. His defensive reputation is intact.

Truth.

Would also like to point out that while it's early and not as impressive to do in RF as SS, Heyward is on his way to a season like Tron's last year. We really are blessed to have 2 true gold glove lock defenders on this team.

[Runnin]

Truth.
Would also like to point out that while it's early and not as impressive to do in RF as SS, Heyward is on his way to a season like Tron's last year. We really are blessed to have 2 true gold glove lock defenders on this team.

Your adoration with our light hitting, leadoff RF continues. There's no way for Heyward to have a season like Andrelton had last year. He plays RF and doesn't get anywhere near the chances. Yes, he plays great D and for that he should be in CF.

[yeezus]

Your adoration with our light hitting, leadoff RF continues. There's no way for Heyward to have a season like Andrelton had last year. He plays RF and doesn't get anywhere near the chances. Yes, he plays great D and for that he should be in CF.

Seems to me this part:

while it's early and not as impressive to do in RF as SS, Heyward is on his way to a season like Tron's last year.

Would agree with what you said. Comparably to other RFers, yes, it's possible. It won't have the overall impact on the team, but relative to the position, it completely makes sense. Don't let that get in the way of your hate, though. Hate on.

[NinersSBChamps]

Seems to me this part:



Would agree with what you said. Comparably to other RFers, yes, it's possible. It won't have the overall impact on the team, but relative to the position, it completely makes sense. Don't let that get in the way of your hate, though. Hate on.

Shoot did I miss a chance to pile on hate for Heyward?

[MadduxFanII]

I had noticed the same thing as sturg, but I didn't want to say anything for fear that it was just a matter of me watching many more games this year than last (hurray Extra Innings).

[jpx7]

Your adoration with our light hitting, leadoff RF continues.

[thewupk]

Your adoration with our light hitting, leadoff RF continues. There's no way for Heyward to have a season like Andrelton had last year. He plays RF and doesn't get anywhere near the chances. Yes, he plays great D and for that he should be in CF.

You are right in that Heyward doesn't get as many chances in right as anyone playing shortstop. But what has to be accounted for is that when Andrelton makes a great play he is almost always saving a single. When Heyward is making a great play it is going to be extra bases most of the time. Those tend to add up.

[The Chosen One]

We saw in San Fran and St. Louis, Heyward turn a few plays from a guaranteed double/triple to a long single.