PRIME WAR in best five consecutive seasons. If you’re still complaining about Xander Bogaerts, then there’s no hope for you. 100 Greatest Shortstops of All-Time Explanation of Rankings CAREER Career Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Better yet, the Red Sox get Bogaerts at an absurdly reasonable price for the next six years. The truth of the matter is Boston has one of the best shortstops in baseball, something that shouldn’t be taken for granted considering the decade that followed Nomar Garciaparra’s departure in 2004. Vizquel is currently in his 24th MLB season, and he is second only to Ozzie Smith as far as the best defensive shortstops of all time are concerned. We’re just telling you he’s awfully close to that level and, if he continues improving at his current pace, will belong in that conversation by season’s end.īut he doesn’t even need to be that good. Listen, we’re not going to tell you that Bogaerts is in the same class as Francisco Lindor Carlos Correa, or even a healthy Corey Seager. All worthwhile context re: Devers defense He no longer makes the sloppy errors he once committed in bunches. His feel for the timing of the position has improved drastically. (It’s worth noting that Bogaerts has missed just four games this season, while injuries and planned off days cost him 26 games last year.)īogaerts, after a terrific diving play to his right, knew exactly how much time he had w/Hundley running. All in all, Bogaerts ranks average-to-above average among qualifying shortstops in most defensive statistical categories. He has committed six errors, which puts him on track to finish with more than the 10 he committed in 2018. This season, Bogaerts ranks 10th among qualifying shortstops in Fangraphs’ defensive rating, a year after finishing 12th. But he has become an above-average defender, one who rarely makes mistakes. Honestly, he’s probably not even top-five at the position. Now, Bogaerts isn’t the wizard with the glove that someone like Andrelton Simmons is. Really has blossomed into everything the Sox hoped for.
Second among AL shortstops for the season in OPS.Īt 26, with two rings, becoming an influential voice in the clubhouse, too. Is Xander Bogaerts Best Shortstop In MLB? These Stats Might Surprise You.