This article results from the joint efforts of Jonny German and Mike Green. It began with Mike's Hall watch series on shortstops and the search for more reliable objective measures of Barry Larkin's defence than were otherwise available.
Barry Larkin had a reputation as a good but not great defender during his prime. We decided to check whether his reputation was well-earned by doing a play by play analysis of his defence during 1991, his age 27 season. For the piece, we have relied on information contained in the events files at retrosheet.org.This time we are looking at Larkin's ability to turn ground balls into outs.
The Data
The Retrosheet event file for Cincinnati's 1991 season contains a pitch by pitch and play by play account of every game of the season. Players, umpires, weather conditions and even noteworthy radio calls of unusual plays are recorded. It is a fabulous resource. Most importantly for us, it contains the location of every batted ball, using the Project Scoresheet Hit location diagram. The infield portion of the diagram is reproduced below; the full diagram can be seen here.
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The events file records a play using the notation:"standard numerical account/hit location"
To understand the way it works, here are a couple of examples. If a hitter grounds out on a ball hit directly at the shortstop, the events file will record "63/G6". The first half "63" means that it is an ordinary 6-3 play, fielded by the shortstop who throws on to first for the putout. The second half "G6" means that it is a ground ball fielded in the "6" zone in the diagram above.
If the hitter grounds out to the shortstop on a ball up the middle on the shortstop side of the bag, the events file will record "63/G6M". If the hitter grounds out to the shortstop on a ball in the hole, the events file will record "63/G56". A ground single through the hole will be recorded as "S7/G56D".
One important point about the hit location diagram concerns the evaluation of third and first basemen. The hit location diagram does not distinguish between ground balls directly at the third and first basemen and those closer to the line. All ground ball outs to the third basemen, whether a routine ground ball directly at him or a diving stop of the shot down the line, are recorded as 53/G5. We'll come back to that point later.
The Method for evaluating Barry Larkin
To evaluate Barry Larkin's groundball out conversion efficiency for 1991, we counted plays made and total opportunites for Larkin, other Cincinnati shortstops and the opposition in 3 areas: up the middle, in the hole and at him. We then calculated the expected number of plays made for Larkin in each area, by multiplying his opportunities by the opposition's conversion rate in each area. This generates a park-neutral expectation for Larkin.
We consider the difference between his actual number of plays made and the expected number
to be a good estimate of his groundball conversion efficiency. We then considered the effect of third base and second base positioning.
Here are the basic results:
The numbers are self-explanatory, save for the positioning. To calculate the third base positioning number, we used the following ratio: hits down the third base line (S7 or D7/G5) + third baseman conversion of ground balls in the hole (53/G56) divided by outs down the third base line (53/G5) + ground balls through the hole (S7/G56). The higher the number, the likelier it is that the third baseman is playing closer to the line. The reader is encouraged to review the hit location diagram above for the codes.
Similarily for second baseman, we used the ratio: ground ball hits between first and second (S9/G34) + outs on grounders up the middle on the second base side of the bag (43/G4M) divided by 4-3 putouts on ground balls between first and second (43/G34)+ ground singles up the middle (S8/G4M). The higher the 2nd baseman's ratio, the likelier it is that he is playing closer to the first base line.
Our interpretation
In his 119 games played in 1991, Barry Larkin converted 12 more ground balls into outs than would have been expected, 11 of them on balls up the middle and 1 on balls in the hole. The calculation for expected conversion of balls up the middle would be 66.5% (Opposition conversion rate) X 181 (Larkin's opportunities) = 120. Larkin made 131 plays, so recorded 11 more conversions than expected.
Larkin converted 1 more ball in the hole into an out than would be expected. The calculation for expected conversion of balls in the hole would be 25% (Opposition conversion rate) X 59 (Larkin's opportunities) = 15. Larkin converted 16 of his opportunities. Larkin performed precisely as expected for balls at him: 94.4% (Opposition conversion rate) X 175 opportunities = 165 expected conversions. Larkin recorded 165 conversions.
This is a conservative view of Larkin's efficiency, due to the positioning of his neighbouring infielders. His third baseman, Chris Sabo, seems to have played close to the line when Larkin was in the game and off the line when a replacement was in the game. A similar, but much smaller, effect is noted for his second baseman Bill Doran. Larkin recorded three 6-3 putouts on groundballs on the second base side of the bag; the opposition recorded none.
We were reluctant to make adjustments to reflect the positioning of Sabo, despite the large differences between his ratio and the opposition third basemen's ratio. As mentioned earlier, the hit location diagram does not distinguish between ground balls directly at the third baseman and those down the line. Consequently, we were reluctant to infer that Larkin's efficiency on ground balls in the hole was better than it appears due to Sabo's positioning. This point could certainly be argued.
Comparison with another evaluation method
One common approach to evaluating shortstop's defence is to simply look at assists/9IP. I thought that it might be worthwhile to compare results. Larkin had 372 assists in 1,032 IP (IP information courtesy of the Stats 1992 Major League Handbook). In the league, shortstops had 5,797 assists in 17,387 innings. Pro-rating the league average over 1,032 IP would result in a league-average figure of 344 assists, meaning that Larkin had 28 more assists than expected, using this method. Not all assists result from groundballs to the shortstop- double plays with the shortstop at the bag, relays and rundowns all can result in shortstop assists. This approach also takes no account of park factors (turf vs. grass, for instance), or of the pitching staff, such as K rates, whereas by comparing Larkin with his opposition we are obtaining a park-neutral and essentially pitching-staff-neutral result. We will come back to this topic after the double play efficiency review.
We noticed some other points from our data. The conversion rate for both Larkin and the opposition on balls directly at the shortstop was over 94%, higher than we expected. The conversion rate in the hole was roughly 25%, perhaps a little lower than expected. At least for shortstops, the hit location, rather than batted ball speed, does seem to be paramount in ground ball out conversion rates.
We also noted that both Larkin and opposition shortstops had more than twice as many opportunities up the middle than in the hole. Larkin had more than 3 times as many. This does lead us to think again about the relative importance of speed/quickness and arm strength in shortstop defence. It also raises questions about the reasons for the differing proportions of the opportunities for Larkin and opposition shortstops. Did Larkin get more opportunities up the middle relative to the opposition because of positioning of other neighbouring infielders or perhaps because of the nature of the Cincinnati pitching staff or because of their poor fielding ability or for some other reason?
In our next installment, we will look at Larkin's 1991 double play efficiency.
"The information used here was obtained free of
charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested
parties may contact Retrosheet at 20 Sunset Rd.,
Newark, DE 19711."
Barry Larkin had a reputation as a good but not great defender during his prime. We decided to check whether his reputation was well-earned by doing a play by play analysis of his defence during 1991, his age 27 season. For the piece, we have relied on information contained in the events files at retrosheet.org.This time we are looking at Larkin's ability to turn ground balls into outs.
The Data
The Retrosheet event file for Cincinnati's 1991 season contains a pitch by pitch and play by play account of every game of the season. Players, umpires, weather conditions and even noteworthy radio calls of unusual plays are recorded. It is a fabulous resource. Most importantly for us, it contains the location of every batted ball, using the Project Scoresheet Hit location diagram. The infield portion of the diagram is reproduced below; the full diagram can be seen here.
The events file records a play using the notation:"standard numerical account/hit location"
To understand the way it works, here are a couple of examples. If a hitter grounds out on a ball hit directly at the shortstop, the events file will record "63/G6". The first half "63" means that it is an ordinary 6-3 play, fielded by the shortstop who throws on to first for the putout. The second half "G6" means that it is a ground ball fielded in the "6" zone in the diagram above.
If the hitter grounds out to the shortstop on a ball up the middle on the shortstop side of the bag, the events file will record "63/G6M". If the hitter grounds out to the shortstop on a ball in the hole, the events file will record "63/G56". A ground single through the hole will be recorded as "S7/G56D".
One important point about the hit location diagram concerns the evaluation of third and first basemen. The hit location diagram does not distinguish between ground balls directly at the third and first basemen and those closer to the line. All ground ball outs to the third basemen, whether a routine ground ball directly at him or a diving stop of the shot down the line, are recorded as 53/G5. We'll come back to that point later.
The Method for evaluating Barry Larkin
To evaluate Barry Larkin's groundball out conversion efficiency for 1991, we counted plays made and total opportunites for Larkin, other Cincinnati shortstops and the opposition in 3 areas: up the middle, in the hole and at him. We then calculated the expected number of plays made for Larkin in each area, by multiplying his opportunities by the opposition's conversion rate in each area. This generates a park-neutral expectation for Larkin.
We consider the difference between his actual number of plays made and the expected number
to be a good estimate of his groundball conversion efficiency. We then considered the effect of third base and second base positioning.
Here are the basic results:
Larkin Other Cin. shortstops Opposition
Up the Middle
Plays Made 131 40 137
Opportunities 181 67 206
Conv. Rate 72.4% 59.7% 66.5%
In the hole
Plays Made 16 5 23
Opportunities 59 18 92
Conv. rate 27.1% 27.8% 25.0%
At him
Plays Made 165 66 236
Opportunities 175 75 250
Conv. rate 94.3% 88.0% 94.4%
Total Conv. 75.2% 69.4% 72.3%
Positioning
3rd base .880 1.316 1.009
2nd base .775 .806 .786
The numbers are self-explanatory, save for the positioning. To calculate the third base positioning number, we used the following ratio: hits down the third base line (S7 or D7/G5) + third baseman conversion of ground balls in the hole (53/G56) divided by outs down the third base line (53/G5) + ground balls through the hole (S7/G56). The higher the number, the likelier it is that the third baseman is playing closer to the line. The reader is encouraged to review the hit location diagram above for the codes.
Similarily for second baseman, we used the ratio: ground ball hits between first and second (S9/G34) + outs on grounders up the middle on the second base side of the bag (43/G4M) divided by 4-3 putouts on ground balls between first and second (43/G34)+ ground singles up the middle (S8/G4M). The higher the 2nd baseman's ratio, the likelier it is that he is playing closer to the first base line.
Our interpretation
In his 119 games played in 1991, Barry Larkin converted 12 more ground balls into outs than would have been expected, 11 of them on balls up the middle and 1 on balls in the hole. The calculation for expected conversion of balls up the middle would be 66.5% (Opposition conversion rate) X 181 (Larkin's opportunities) = 120. Larkin made 131 plays, so recorded 11 more conversions than expected.
Larkin converted 1 more ball in the hole into an out than would be expected. The calculation for expected conversion of balls in the hole would be 25% (Opposition conversion rate) X 59 (Larkin's opportunities) = 15. Larkin converted 16 of his opportunities. Larkin performed precisely as expected for balls at him: 94.4% (Opposition conversion rate) X 175 opportunities = 165 expected conversions. Larkin recorded 165 conversions.
This is a conservative view of Larkin's efficiency, due to the positioning of his neighbouring infielders. His third baseman, Chris Sabo, seems to have played close to the line when Larkin was in the game and off the line when a replacement was in the game. A similar, but much smaller, effect is noted for his second baseman Bill Doran. Larkin recorded three 6-3 putouts on groundballs on the second base side of the bag; the opposition recorded none.
We were reluctant to make adjustments to reflect the positioning of Sabo, despite the large differences between his ratio and the opposition third basemen's ratio. As mentioned earlier, the hit location diagram does not distinguish between ground balls directly at the third baseman and those down the line. Consequently, we were reluctant to infer that Larkin's efficiency on ground balls in the hole was better than it appears due to Sabo's positioning. This point could certainly be argued.
Comparison with another evaluation method
One common approach to evaluating shortstop's defence is to simply look at assists/9IP. I thought that it might be worthwhile to compare results. Larkin had 372 assists in 1,032 IP (IP information courtesy of the Stats 1992 Major League Handbook). In the league, shortstops had 5,797 assists in 17,387 innings. Pro-rating the league average over 1,032 IP would result in a league-average figure of 344 assists, meaning that Larkin had 28 more assists than expected, using this method. Not all assists result from groundballs to the shortstop- double plays with the shortstop at the bag, relays and rundowns all can result in shortstop assists. This approach also takes no account of park factors (turf vs. grass, for instance), or of the pitching staff, such as K rates, whereas by comparing Larkin with his opposition we are obtaining a park-neutral and essentially pitching-staff-neutral result. We will come back to this topic after the double play efficiency review.
We noticed some other points from our data. The conversion rate for both Larkin and the opposition on balls directly at the shortstop was over 94%, higher than we expected. The conversion rate in the hole was roughly 25%, perhaps a little lower than expected. At least for shortstops, the hit location, rather than batted ball speed, does seem to be paramount in ground ball out conversion rates.
We also noted that both Larkin and opposition shortstops had more than twice as many opportunities up the middle than in the hole. Larkin had more than 3 times as many. This does lead us to think again about the relative importance of speed/quickness and arm strength in shortstop defence. It also raises questions about the reasons for the differing proportions of the opportunities for Larkin and opposition shortstops. Did Larkin get more opportunities up the middle relative to the opposition because of positioning of other neighbouring infielders or perhaps because of the nature of the Cincinnati pitching staff or because of their poor fielding ability or for some other reason?
In our next installment, we will look at Larkin's 1991 double play efficiency.
"The information used here was obtained free of
charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Interested
parties may contact Retrosheet at 20 Sunset Rd.,
Newark, DE 19711."
