7
2012
Do You Know Who Leads The Mets In Errors?
An article by 
I bet if most Mets fans took a guess as to who had the most errors on the team this season they probably would get it right. But, the answer to that question does not mean that the player with the most errors has played poor defense. In fact, for this particular team that player has actually met expectations and maybe even exceeded them.
Murphy has made some very nice plays this season
The player I am referring to is Daniel Murphy, but like I said that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Murphy has just 11 errors on the season, which is only one ahead of the franchise star David Wright who has 10. Murphy is third on the team behind Ike Davis and Josh Thole Mets in chances this season with 422. Daniel has 181 putouts, 231 assists and has fielded at a rate of 97% so far this year.
Daniel has made some improvements defensively and appears to be getting better as the season has gone along. To put his performance into perspective, David Wright has only 266 chances but has just one fewer error that Murphy. One of the biggest areas of concern for Murphy was his ability to turn double plays. To date he has turned 45 of them successfully and appears to be getting more comfortable in his position.
Daniel still looks a little rigid at times and may not have the greatest range, but he has been solid. He does not always look smooth when making routine plays but he generally gets the job done. He has also made some plays you didn’t think he could make, and that shows he has potential to improve even more.
This is Murphy’s first season where he will be a starter from wire to wire. This is also the first time he has not been bounced around to different positions each night. He has been able to get comfortable and learn a position. As a result he is showing signs of improvements in all facets of his game on the defensive side. If he can play a solid second base defensively his bat will continue to keep him in the lineup each day.
About the Author: Dan Valis
I am a staff writer for Mets Merized Online. I am a Mets team analyst with a focus on the minor league system, as well as the major league club. I am a lifelong New Yorker who was born and raised to be a Mets fan. The ups and downs of being a Mets fan is what makes following this team so much fun, but at times so frustrating. You can follow me on Twitter @BgAppleMetsTalk.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Ok… Good to know.. however, when you botch a ball and causes the team an out, it doesn’t show up on the scorecard as an error, matter of fact, it doesn’t even show.. The game is more than just the numbers you see on a text message..
Agree.
Can’t just evaluate a player’s defense on number of errors. You might have a slow OF or poor range IF that doesn’t get to balls most average ones will – and that will never show as an error.
That being said, Murph has handled second base better than I thought he would this year. He’s worked hard and it’s paid off. He might not ever look like the most natural 2nd baseman out there, but he’s made most of the routine plays and has made some really good ones as well.
“The game is more than just the numbers you see on a text message..”
HAHAHAHA, that really is an adorable little mental tick you have. It is like you just caught up to 2002.
By the way, we also have things like range factor and UZR.
Defensive metrics are far from perfect though right now. UZR and stuff like that can be very inaccurate at time. Wouldn’t trust any defensive stats right now.
Yes, I know, but we’ve got a guy who thinks that the Mets cut $75 million in payroll this year trying to talk numbers.
On balls he can get to he has to make the plays…a guy playing 2b shouldn’t be throwing the ball into the seats. His range is so bad he plays in shallow right field the majority of the time which becomes an issue on weakly hit balls. When you try to cover up weaknesses with fixes i.e. playing in shallow right field to cover up a lack of range, you create other issues defensively.
What’s the reason Cedeno was doing the same thing? Time to move on to the next explanation.
He was doing it to get added lateral range, but in Murphy’s case his range coming in on balls becomes an issue by playing deep in the hole.
A slowly hit ball or a bunt past the pitchers mound would cause problems with either player. The lateral range benefits both players and is also used for shifts.
You’re way too hard on Murphy. I remember earlier in the season when he had trouble coming in on a couple of balls while he was new to 2B. It’s not the same any more.
Bad throws from any infield position are not good. I’ve seen Wright and I’ve seen Tejada screw up with really bad throws. Again you seem to have selective memory.
Murph has been so much better than we thought he would be, his bat is really good and we should strongly consider trading him to an offensively challenged team such as SD or Seattle
Let’s not consider trading him until we get what we want. Without Murphy, the 2012 Mets would have been a disaster.
savvy baseball fans know that errors and rbi and pitching wins are not really stats that matter at all.
They matter, especially to those who think they do!!!
Add Range Factor to your list, Martin.
Murph’s an upgrade from Luis castillo, remember him?