So many people have screamed till their lungs give out that Kyle Schwarber is a bad defensive player. While he isn’t going to take home a Rawlings Gold Gold anytime soon, the thought that he’s one of the worst in baseball is just wrong. Luckily, the folks at Baseball Info Solutions has studied every play made by the Chicago Cubs left fielder, and is able to prove the naysayers wrong.
Baseball Info Solutions
You may or may not know who Baseball Info Solutions is, and that’s ok. They are an independent firm who gathers statistical data from results and video analysis on the game of baseball. They have no tie to the Chicago Cubs, nor a reason to make Kyle appear better than he is. In fact, if they were to make up data, they’d lose their trust and any substantial authority on the game if they were caught fudging data.
Here is their explanation of their service. (Baseball Info Solutions) is dedicated to posting research excerpts from the staff at Baseball Info Solutions. Both full-timers and Video Scouts contribute material to the blog. Feedback is appreciated. If you have any comments or questions, you may contact the author of the post or email us at info-at-baseballinfosolutions-dot-com.
They should be a trusted authority on baseball like things.
Schwarber’s defense
The publication noted the very rough opening day, but mentions how Kyle’s defense is vastly better this season after costing the Cubs 9 runs defensively in 2017. Schwarber ranks fourth in left fielders in 2018, actually saving 5 runs defensively.
But how has he done this?
BIS credits two areas. First, he has been a much more careful defender. Second, his arm has become a big weapon.
So what do we mean by “more careful?” According to the video tracking BIS employs, Kyle was charged with 29 misplays it errors in left field in 2017. They calculated this through plays in which a runner reached or advanced due to a misplay or poor throw.
Min 2018 Kyle has had only three such occurrences. That’s an average of a mishap every 94 innings when he had a mishap every 28 innings in 2017.
Throwing
Kyle has always had a strong arm, which was paired up well with a quick release. These were attributes brought over from his days as a catcher. While he had shown some flashes in the past, accuracy and a lack of coordination caused for inconsistent throwing. He would compound poor defensive play with a bad throw, making things a lot worse for him and the team.
In 2018 his arm has become the asset it should be. He already has four outfield assists, which are four more than he had last season. He has eliminated any throwing related misplays, which he had six of last season. This has also accounted for a league low 22% of baserunner a attempting to take the extra base on Kyle (first to third, second to home, or home to second). Runners advanced 35% of the time on base hits which Kyle fielded in 2017.
So sure, this is a small sample size, but we need to start recognizing the positive strides Kyle has made defensively. He had been known as a miscast DH, but he’s showing he belongs in left ever single day.
