May 30, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) jumps in the air during a pitch in the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Texas won 8-0. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dustin Pedroia is somewhat back. A few balls have left the park and Pedroia’s average is reasonable as are the rest of his stats with a slash of .296/.362/.444 and seven home runs and 21 RBI. That slash is almost a mirror of his career number.
The reality is Pedroia has now advanced passed age thirty, has had numerous hand issues and you simply will not see a return of those MVP numbers of a few years back. If the selection was based solely on defense, he’d have my vote, but is even that legit?
For the worshipers of fielding metrics Pedey has slipped into the negative UZR/150. In 2014 Pedroia blew everyone away in that category. On DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) Pedroia is in the negative – rare indeed. The blanket DEF (Defense) has Pedroia barely into the positive. But I happen to be an eyeball person and see Pedroia making a stellar play a game or more.
The combination of offense and defense point to only two players and they are Jose Altuve or Jason Kipnis. Maybe a case can be made to add Devon Travis, but not as a starter. I’ll pass on Robinson Cano and Ian Kinsler. Pedroia is back, but not quite ready to assume top ranking.
All statistics courtesy of fangraphs.
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