Simmons not voted best defensive player among coaches.

[parkvadawg]

There isn't a play I haven't seen Simba make yet.

Ozzie could do back flips and cartwheels, but Simba makes it the most efficient, yet most deadliest.

Simba is great but Ozzie did a whole lot more than flips. He made plays no one thought possible

[yeezus]

My only complaint about Simmons is when he lollipops throws to first. He's thrown more than a few in the dirt that Freddie's had to scoop because of this.

Is this a joke? I don't think it's possible for Simmons to lollipop throws.

[Orphan Black]

Is this a joke? I don't think it's possible for Simmons to lollipop throws.

He does it all the time.

[GovClintonTyree]

Simba is great but Ozzie did a whole lot more than flips. He made plays no one thought possible

Both incredibly nimble with the best body control and hand-eye in the world. Both get rid of the ball faster than anyone in their era. both single digit error guys, and though Ozzie played on turf, he'd be a single digit error guy on grass. Ozzie's arm, though, was only above average and toward the end was actually below average. Simmons throws 98.

Ozzie was always in impeccable shape, as is Simba, but Simba is 6'3", while Oz was probably 5'9", though I'm sure they listed him taller. Although Oz got all the press, Omar might have been better. But yes, Simba is better than both. We'll have to see if he's better for 20 years.

[parkvadawg]

Both incredibly nimble with the best body control and hand-eye in the world. Both get rid of the ball faster than anyone in their era. both single digit error guys, and though Ozzie played on turf, he'd be a single digit error guy on grass. Ozzie's arm, though, was only above average and toward the end was actually below average. Simmons throws 98.

Ozzie was always in impeccable shape, as is Simba, but Simba is 6'3", while Oz was probably 5'9", though I'm sure they listed him taller. Although Oz got all the press, Omar might have been better. But yes, Simba is better than both. We'll have to see if he's better for 20 years.

We shall agree to disagree. Simba has the better arm, not as good with the glove

[gilesfan]

Simmons is the best defensive SS in baseball. He's no Ozzie, but may be the best since then.

[rico43]

My only complaint about Simmons is when he lollipops throws to first. He's thrown more than a few in the dirt that Freddie's had to scoop because of this.

You got to be confusing him with Johnson. Simmons throws that overhand, belt-high fastball to first as well and as often as any guy I've ever seen.

[rico43]

Simmons is the best defensive SS in baseball. He's no Ozzie, but may be the best since then.

I have seen highlights of Alexi Ramirez of the Indians that blew my mind. He and Everth Cabrera are serious leather.

[rico43]

He does it all the time.

He is throwing directly overhand. No other SS does that. It's coming to Freddie at 95; your lollipop is an illusion, or a delusion.

[zitothebrave]

High praise being Ozzie was the greatest defensive player to grace this earth. Don't think I would go that far.

Simmons is not better than Ozzie just yet, Ozzie was great over his whole career we'll see if Simmons can match that (though I have faith) and the best defensive player to grace this earth is Andruw Jones. It's not even close. The things Druw was able to do stupify me. What makes it even more bonkers is that he would make super hard plays and they would look easy because of his intial reaction. I never saw anyone in the history of baseball be moving in the right direction before the ball was hit. It was like he could take the pitch, location and almost time the hitters swing to get the area it was going. Guy was insane.

[Braves1976]

High praise being Ozzie was the greatest defensive player to grace this earth. Don't think I would go that far.

I would and I was a big Ozzie fan and watched him in his prime. Simmons is the best I've ever seen, and he only seems to get better too.

That said, I agree that vote is laughable.

[GovClintonTyree]

We shall agree to disagree. Simba has the better arm, not as good with the glove

It is good.

[GovClintonTyree]

He is throwing directly overhand. No other SS does that. It's coming to Freddie at 95; your lollipop is an illusion, or a delusion.

Yeah, that one's not making much sense. Epic arm, unique style. Never seen a SS come over the top like that.

I did notice that Lil Guv started doing it after he started watching Simmons. Very accurate.

[GovClintonTyree]

I have seen highlights of Alexi Ramirez of the Indians that blew my mind. He and Everth Cabrera are serious leather.

There are other good ones, but only one Andrelton Simmons.

[CyYoung31]

Simmons is not better than Ozzie just yet, Ozzie was great over his whole career we'll see if Simmons can match that (though I have faith) and the best defensive player to grace this earth is Andruw Jones. It's not even close. The things Druw was able to do stupify me. What makes it even more bonkers is that he would make super hard plays and they would look easy because of his intial reaction. I never saw anyone in the history of baseball be moving in the right direction before the ball was hit. It was like he could take the pitch, location and almost time the hitters swing to get the area it was going. Guy was insane.

This just can't be said enough. So, I am quoting it.

[JohnAdcox]

I think it may of been infielder or in general.

Even still, neither are on his level.

Word.

[Dunit24]

They could vote him last and I dont care. Simmons defense is the best and his bat will keep improving. We got ourselves a keeper folks.

[Tapate50]

Simmons is not better than Ozzie just yet, Ozzie was great over his whole career we'll see if Simmons can match that (though I have faith) and the best defensive player to grace this earth is Andruw Jones. It's not even close. The things Druw was able to do stupify me. What makes it even more bonkers is that he would make super hard plays and they would look easy because of his intial reaction. I never saw anyone in the history of baseball be moving in the right direction before the ball was hit. It was like he could take the pitch, location and almost time the hitters swing to get the area it was going. Guy was insane.

What do all the defensive metrics say on the matter of Ozzie vs Simmons?

[zitothebrave]

What do all the defensive metrics say on the matter of Ozzie vs Simmons?

Would be comparing Apples and Oranges. Ozzie never played in the UZR era. While Total Zone does a pretty good job, it's not as accurate as modern measures.

[depley]

Simmons leads all Major League shortstops with a total of 31 in the Defensive Runs Saved category, one of the more popular defensive metrics. Minnesota's Pedro Florimon ranks second with 11 and Baltimore's J.J. Hardy ranks third with seven.

The 2 highest recorded seasons Adam Everett (34 with the 2006 Astros) and Jack Wilson (32 with the 2005 Pirates) Simmons will eclipse both of those by a wide margin before this year ends. Maybe the coaches out there should look at the numbers!

Simmons is not Ozzie yet, he hasn't played long enough, but I think if he stays healthy he might prove to be just as good over time.