The Milwaukee Brewers pride themselves on pitching and defense. Their bullpen is one of the best in the league and behind them is a defensive squad that is referred to as “the run prevention unit”. Despite their pride in these two areas the baseball website Fangraphs currently has two Brewers ranked inside the top five as the most regressed defenders when comparing this year’s stats to last year.
How is defense objectively measured?
For decades the top ways to objectively measure defense was by errors and fielding percentage. That has evolved over time and Fangraphs currently uses a statistic called Ultimate Zone Rating and Baseball Reference uses a statistics called Defensive Runs saved. The formulas for these statistics have also changed over time and they continue to tweaked on a year to year basis.
Fangraphs currently ranks two Milwaukee Brewers inside the top five most regressed defenders.
The social media account BrooksGate recently posted a picture of the most regressed defenders from 2023 to 2024. Utilizing Fangraphs fWAR defensive value William Contreras ranked as the most regressed defender and Willy Adames fifth.
the most improved and regressed defenders from last year to this year
(fWAR defensive value) pic.twitter.com/oj3zHdfoXe— BrooksGate (@Brooks_Gate) August 20, 2024
What is contributing to William Contreras and Willy Adames regressing defensively?
For William Contreras one defensive statistic that has impacted him significantly in 2024 is framing. In 2023 he was one of the best in the league and in 2024 he has been below league average in this category. Willy Adames on the other hand is currently in a defensive slump that has featured several uncharacteristic errors. Fangraphs also has him regressing in areas such as double players turned above league average as well as range.
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