Originally Posted by
thewupk
Offensive stats use the same weighted runs formula as defensive stats do.
As far as %'s of balls caught and whatnot. Let's look at what Statcast has to say about fly balls caught by some LF's this year.
5 Star Ranking Breakdown:
5 Star: 0 - 25%, 4 Star: 26 - 50%, 3 Star: 51 - 75%, 2 Star: 76 - 90%, 1 Star: 91 - 95%
Duvall: 0/2 Five Stars - 4/6 four Stars - 3/4 Three Stars - 4/5 Two Stars - 7/7 - One Star
Kemp: 0/4 Five Stars - 0/4 four Stars - 1/2 Three Stars - 2/2 Two Stars - 6/6 - One Star
Melky: 0/8 Five Stars - 0/0 four Stars - 1/6 Three Stars - 4/4 Two Stars - 12/12 - One Star
Upton: 0/2 Five Stars - 2/5 four Stars - 2/3 Three Stars - 7/7 Two Stars - 5/5 - One Star
Gardner: 0/4 Five Stars - 3/4 four Stars - 2/2 Three Stars - 4/4 Two Stars - 4/4 - One Star
Tomas: 0/4 Five Stars - 0/1 four Stars - 0/0 Three Stars - 3/7 Two Stars - 3/4 - One Star
Now here are their DRS numbers
Duvall: +2
Kemp: -3
Melky: -2
Upton: +4
Gardner: +5
Tomas: -5
A couple of things of note. Statcats numbers are just on flyballs caught. DRS numbers include cutting balls off in the gap and ranks a players arm as well. And the main difference between those left fielders considered good and those who are bad lie in the balls that are considered 3 and 4 Stars. So balls that are caught 25-75% of the time. Good outfielders will generally have caught some in the 26-50% range and catch over 50% in the 50-75% range. Those who are bad don't catch any in the 26-50% range and usually half or less in the 50-75% range.
You may disagree that only a handful of plays can determine who a good fielder or bad fielder is. But you have to realize that is also just takes a few hits to determine who a good or bad hitter is as well.