Joe Credeleads the American League in FPCT and errors (not made). However, while these are not stats that many put much faith in, they are a stat which tell a great deal about Crede’s value. However, a newer stat, one now used by the voters in determining the ultimate winner of the Gold Glove, has come out. The UZR, Ultimate Zone Rating, a method of determining a players arm and range, ranks Crede at the top of the league among all 3B.

Crede is a very valuable Minnesota Twin offensively. Relative to where he hits in the order, his numbers are solid to the point where any team would be happy to have such numbers later in the lineup. His fielding has been better though.

The UZR/150 is the average number of runs saved over the course of 150 defensive games. As can be seen, Crede sits between 25-30 runs saved per 150 defensive games. The next highest run saver,Adrian Beltre, is between 15-20 runs saved per 150 games. Thus, Crede saves about 10 runs more per 150 games than Beltre, one of the premier defensive 3B in baseball.

With dominant numbers like this, you have to wonder why Joe Crede doesn’t get more respect. In fact, hardly anyone realizes just how good he is at the position.

Crede gets very little respect for what he does. He’s a solid hitter and people recognize this, but virtually no one ever discusses his efficient play as a third baseman. He’s simply been phenomenal this year.

Crede should be the hands down favorite for the Gold Glove, and I’m going to predict that he won’t win it. It’s the nature of the beast when it comes to these things.

This would explain why Castillo was never awarded a Gold Glove while with the Twins, despite being the best defensive second baseman in the american league. This would explain why Morneau has not won a Gold Glove, though he has won silver sluggers and an MVP award. This would explain why Mauer lost out on the Gold Glove for Pudge Rodriguez, despite Mauer being the better defender.

The voters for the award are far from objective, and this unfortunately shows. With a small market team like Minnesota, it’s hard to get the “pull” that the bigger cities have.