kolten wong defense

Defensive highlights for the St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong from Opening Day to August 18, 2015. All UZR (ultimate zone rating) calculations are provided courtesy of Mitchel Lichtman. For three straight years, he’s won the Fielding Bible award at … Wong is one of the better second baseman in the National League. (null) Avg Exit Velocity: 86.9, Hard Hit %: 29.4, wOBA: .319, xwOBA: .301, Barrel %: 2.7. The award is well deserved. This is a transaction analysis, though, so I’ll restrain myself, and merely say that our very good defensive projections for Wong might still be conservative. Sometimes past numbers can tell you that J.D. As Tom Haudricourt reported, GM David Stearns was already open to using Hiura at first base in 2021 before the team signed Wong. Since his debut in 2019, DRS thinks Hiura is the second-worst defender at the keystone in the majors, ahead of only Profar. While Nolan Arenado might have fallen behind Matt Chapman in the third base defense hierarchy, Wong reigns supreme at second. Must read content, player grades, stuff you can't get anywhere else. Bigger fan of the eye test? That solves a lot of their problems in one fell swoop. The Brewers are likely getting the best offensive version of Kolten Wong … Eligible for the amateur draft after his junior season at Hawaii, the Cardinals selected Wong in the first round, with the 22nd overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. That’s no indictment on this signing. Appearing on his first video conference with reporters Friday after. When he’s at the plate, Wong gets to roughly average offensive value with one simple trick: he controls the non-contact portion of the game. They need starting pitching depth — one injury, and the back of the rotation gets dicey. But at least he didn’t sign…with some non-MIL NL Central side. This week, one NL Central team has acquired the best defender at a key infield position. For this reason, Kolten Wong needs to be on the team in 2021 and potentially longer. Top Stories. Kolten Wong turned down a multi-year offer from the Cardinals, and there are increasing odds that he will not be back in St. Louis next season. Wong looked locked in at the plate in Brewers blue and yellow during the spring, clubbing four home runs in 36 Arizona at-bats, and he’s always felt comfortable hitting at Milwaukee’s American Family Field. He posted just a .720 OPS last season and a 99 wRC+, which is largely due to the fact that second base is one of the lightest hitting positions in the MLB. In the past few years he has staked his claim as one of the best defensive second basemen in all of baseball. Some free agent signings can also do this: Ben is a contributor to FanGraphs. Wong is coming off back-to-back Gold Glove winning seasons at second. The team hoped that he was still suffering the effects of a lingering injury, but at this point, it’s not a matter of a bad month or two. The Brewers turned a huge weakness into a huge strength for cheap, and if it works out for them, they’ll have Wong for three years. Wong brings the best second base defense in baseball, 2+ WAR, and a reliable on-base presence. The Milwaukee Brewers have upgraded their infield by adding Kolten Wong. Subscribe now to get full access to the new sports page. But on Sunday night at Busch Stadium, Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong turned in as pretty and as graceful of a defensive play as you'll ever see.. With the Angels leading 1-0 and Justin Upton on first base after a leadoff walk in the third inning, Kole Calhoun hit a bouncer up the middle. Well, it’s all they can do in the big-picture competitive sense. Kolten Wong. If the Mets want to bring in another second baseman a much more preferable option would be Kolten Wong. Signing Wong and calling it a day feels a little Mission Accoimplished-y. by Handedness, Brewers Sign Kolten Wong to Overhaul Infield Defense, Effectively Wild Episode 1651: Split Decision. For three straight years, he’s won the Fielding Bible award at second base. He can be found on Twitter @_Ben_Clemens. Martinez will never figure it out. In 47 games, he batted .335 with 15 doubles, five home runs, 25 RBIs, and nine stolen bases. It’s a key gap in their up-the-middle defense which is otherwise sound or superlative (if Victor Robles is his normal self). ... slash line of .285/.361/.423 with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases while also playing his usual Gold Glove caliber defense. While Nolan Arenado might have fallen behind Matt Chapman in the third base defense hierarchy, Wong reigns supreme at second. There’s a big problem with comparing Edman’s defense to Wong’s. As it turns out, the difference between the very best and very worst defender is substantial. Scouting reports were universally nervous about his defense before he made the big leagues, and while nothing says he can’t improve, it’s tough to play such a limited defender at an up-the-middle position and escape with your pitchers’ sanity (and ERA) intact. That’s convenient, because Wong is a below-average hitter when he makes contact. Kolten Wong and the Brewers finalized their $18 million, two-year contract on Friday, a deal that includes a 2022 club option. Wong certainly doesn’t have LeMahieu’s bat, but he’s just as good on defense. Over the last three years, he’s struck out 173 times, or 15% of his non-IBB plate appearances. Major League and Minor League Baseball data provided by Major League Baseball. Wong is one of my very favorite players to watch. There’s always more to do. At this … Say, conservatively, that Wong will take 600 plate appearances that Vogelbach would have taken. He may not be the best Cardinal of the past decade, but you never forget your first, I suppose. Despite the fact that Wong will out-earn that trio, he still looks like an excellent value to me. ©2021 The Athletic Media Company. Songs: Silento - "Watch Me"; Flo Rida - … And please don't worry, your report will be anonymous. Brewers defense upgraded with Wong, return of Cain. I don’t mean that hyperbolically, either. Probably so. According to MLB.com, he was the #4-ranked prospect in the Cardinals organization. DEFENSE. PHOENIX -- “There’s some power in there,” Craig Counsell said Friday morning, only a few hours before Kolten Wong showed exactly what the Brewers’ manager was talking about.. Wong, the second baseman signed largely on the strength of his defense, has smacked a leadoff home run in consecutive starts for the Brewers. Are they giving up on him? I’m not saying Wong will throw up a 4 WAR season, but he has a track record of being valuable when healthy, far more so than anyone else at his tier of the market. I’ve written about what that means for his value before, but briefly: batters have hit for a .372 wOBA on contact from 2018-2020. His barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and maximum exit velocity are what you’d expect from a 5-foot-9 middle infielder: As you might surmise from the fact that he’s a roughly average hitter overall, he’s been close to that .329 wOBA on contact. Lose Vogelbach’s bat in exchange for Wong’s, and you gain Wong’s glove in exchange for Hiura’s — unless there’s an NL DH, which would be pure upside. He made his professional debut that season with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League. After the Mets got their big bat in Francisco Lindor, a lot of the talk around the team has been about how they can improve their 26th ranked defense … The results simply weren’t pretty. Vogelbach will still have value as a backup first baseman and pinch hitter, but Milwaukee sees Hiura as part of their core. Kolten Wong won Gold Gloves the last two seasons before leaving the Cardinals for the Brewers. No surprises here: an average hitter with premium defense works out to a better-than-average player on the whole. The Big … Considering second baseman Kolten Wong, who’s viewed as one of the top defensive infielders in the majors, is still available in free agency, the Mets would be foolish if they didn’t attempt to acquire him. By outs above average, Wong has ranked in the 96 th , 94 th , and 82 nd percentiles over the last three seasons. It gives the team an infielder with Gold Glove defense … My 9-year-old son’s two favorite teams are the Cardinals and Dodgers. Signing Kolten Wong gives the Brewers a much-needed kick in the right direction, and that’s all a free agent signing can do. His favorite Dodger was Joc Pederson. Hiura was never going to stick at second base with that record of futility. Kolten Wong contributed a solid 2.8 WAR to the Cardinals last season, with most of his contributions were on the defensive side. Wong is a guy who makes a ton of contact and plays elite defense. Kolten Wong’s Batted Ball Metrics, 2015-20. The only question for Milwaukee in this deal is whether they’re done adding to the team. You can flag a comment by clicking its flag icon. If you think they’re roughly equal as first baseman — both ZiPS and Steamer actually like Vogelbach’s bat more, but I respectfully disagree — that means the team is making a simple swap. Position: Second Baseman Bats: Left • Throws: Right 5-7, 185lb (170cm, 83kg) . The Cardinals made what was an unpopular decision among many fans last week, buying out Kolten Wong’s $12.5MM club option for the 2021 season and … Kolten Wong is staying in the NL Central, but the longtime Cardinals second baseman will don a new jersey. Whoops. Can Edman provide similar production to Wong as the projected starter at second base? However, he may just be the best defensive second baseman in all of baseball and the advanced metrics support this. The Brewers add a Gold Glove second baseman in Kolten Wong to shore up their middle infield defense. Open Article in App. A lifelong Cardinals fan, he got his start writing for Viva El Birdos. Kolten Wong boosts Brewers’ defense, Keston Hiura moves to 1B and more By Will Sammon Feb 5, 2021 24 Kolten Wong wasted no time looking the part. In this case, though, you don’t need the math to tell you that this deal makes sense. Website admin will know that you reported it. For all his offensive talents, Hiura is one of the worst second base defenders in the game. If Wong hit for a .329 wOBA on contact, he’d be an average batter overall. Projections and past numbers aren’t everything. I think I’m more saddened by Wong’s departure than any other Cardinals player since Pujols. Keston Hiura has never appeared in a major league game at any other position on the field, and he’s part of the Brewers’ long-term plans. Hardly. Neither he, nor the fans, nor the Cardinals would have predicted that the Cardinals would be declining his $12.5 million option following the 2020 season. OAA is right around 24 runs. Since 2015, he’s put 1,893 balls in play, certainly a big enough sample to draw conclusions. Kolten Wong boosts Brewers’ defense, Keston Hiura moves to 1B and more, Kolten Wong wasted no time looking the part. How Cardinals' Kolten Wong managed to pull off one of the best defensive plays of the MLB season Consider this a frame-by-frame look of one of the best plays you'll see all season. Tommy La Stella, Cesar Hernandez, and Jurickson Profar all signed deals with annual values between $5 million and $7 million. That’s right: the Brewers signed Kolten Wong to a two-year, $18 million contract, as Jon Morosi first reported. signing an $18 million, two-year contract, decided to pass on his $12.5 million option, Already have the app? Kolten Wong is back for the Cardinals in the NLDS. He won the Gold Glove at the spot in 2019. So, that sticks me with the unenviable task of comparing Tommy Edman vs. Kolten Wong. Second basemen often take a back seat to shortstops as the top gloves in the infield. That’s right: the Brewers signed Kolten Wong to a two-year, $18 million contract, as Jon Morosi first reported. UZR thinks he’s the worst defender at the position, five runs worse than his nearest competition. What he does well: Elite defense. LOUIS — After several deserving campaigns, Kolten Wong was finally recognized for his outstanding defense on Sunday night, being awarded the 2019 Rawlings Gold … He was easily my favourite Redbird, and I will miss him in SL. So congratulations to Kolten Wong on his first Gold Glove. The result is an OBP-heavy batting line that comes in near average overall; in the last three years, he’s hitting .269/.349/.393, good for a 102 wRC+. Every advanced defensive metric sees him as the best fielder in the game over the past three years. Sixth in a 2021 Brewers position-by-position series. All Win Expectancy, Leverage Index, Run Expectancy, and Fans Scouting Report data licenced from TangoTiger.com. It’s been pretty clear to everyone that Keston … All major league baseball data including pitch type, velocity, batted ball location, That means that he can be a substantially below-average hitter when he actually connects with the ball and still put up an average line. mlb.com - PHOENIX -- “There’s some power in there,” Craig Counsell said Friday morning, only a few hours before Kolten Wong showed exactly what the Brewers’ … Wong, known for elite defense, previews pop - Flipboard Wong is getting $9 million annually, though he did surrender a club option ($8 million for 2023) to seal the deal. The way Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell sees it, Kolten Wong checks all the boxes when it comes to glove work at second base. ... Wong believes improved defense indirectly can boost the Brewers’ hitting as well. Wong has been 23.6 runs better than Hiura on defense per 150 games, per UZR. He probably gets anywhere between $8 million to $12 million in AAV. The Cardinals win through pitching and defense. The Nationals have not played good defense at second base for years. But he can do this, too: I could go on all day if there weren’t an article to write. If you’d prefer DRS, that difference balloons to 35 runs. That’s almost certainly over-estimating the case, but per their projections, that would cost the Brewers roughly 11 runs of offensive value. You’ve probably heard the saying “defense doesn’t slump,” but plate discipline is a stable way of getting to your value as well. That explains why Wong commanded a premium over the swath of similar second base types who hit the market this offseason. It doesn’t feel this way, because again, he doesn’t have lights-out offensive numbers, but the last time Wong had a bad season on a per-PA basis was a long time ago: That’s not to say there’s no downside, but there’s a lot about his game to like. He’s walked, or been hit by a pitch, 120 times in those non-IBB plate appearances, or 10.4%. In 57 career games at the former Miller Park, Wong is a .308 hitter with an .855 OPS. His defense and ability to get on base are both needed in the lineup. Milwaukee reportedly came to terms with ex-Cardinal Kolten Wong on a two-year, $18MM deal that comes with a third year club option. Statcast’s OAA thinks — you guessed it — he’s the worst defensive second baseman in the game. I think he’s the first guy I remember keeping track of as a prospect. For the first time in his career, Kolten Wong had combined his elite defense, his good eye, his health, and a manager willing to trust him to put together his best season of his career in 2019. They’re still more than a little short on the infield — at the moment, they’re poised to start Orlando Arcia at short and Luis Urías at third. He can do this: Okay, fine, single defensive highlights are a bad reflection of talent. by Retrosheet. He has a .331 wOBA on them, which agrees well with a .327 xwOBA. He’ll be playing the 2021 season at age-30, and he was below average offensively in 2020, so it’s not as though there aren’t red flags, but great defense doesn’t grow on trees. Wong has been a starter at second for the Cardinals for 7 full seasons. His favorite Cardinal was Kolten Wong. Looking at his defense, he has had a 16, 19, and 6 DRS in each of the past three seasons and an 11, 8, and 2 OAA. I understand it from a payroll perspective, but it’s s bummer! and play-by-play data provided by Sports Info Solutions. Play-by-play data prior to 2002 was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted Admins may or may not choose to remove the comment or block the author. But the fact Wong took home the only gold for the Cardinals should not obscure just how remarkable the club’s defense as a whole was this past season. Position: 2B Bats/Throws: L/R Age: 30 (10/10/1990) Traditional Stats: .265/.350/.326, 53 games, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 16 RBI Advanced Stats: 1.3 bWAR, 1.3 fWAR, 87 OPS+, 92 wRC+ Defensive Stats: 6 DRS, 3.8 UZR, 2 OAA RUNDOWN. The Brewers have struggled to generate offense at first base; before Hiura’s shift, they were relying on Daniel Vogelbach, an enjoyably-shaped player who got DFA’ed by two different teams last year. Call to the Pen 2 months MLB: Five teams still stuck in no man's land this offseason. Kolten Wong, 2B. Updated: Friday, April 2, 2021 11:11 AM ET, Park Factors Enter your email to read this article for free. Sometimes projections can tell you — just to pick an idle example — that Dan Vogelbach is a better hitter than Keston Hiura. Hiura was never a long-term fit at second base, and giving him a new position to learn now rather than later is certainly not a bad idea. The Cardinals and Wong are at … Kolten Wong won the first Gold Glove of his career after the 2019 season, and he arguably should have won it in the previous year as well. All rights reserved. There’s really only one holdup here: the Brewers already have a second baseman. 24 stolen bases position, five runs worse than his nearest competition Stella, Hernandez. 10.4 % to 35 runs from TangoTiger.com a two-year, $ 18MM deal that comes a. Central side.308 hitter with an.855 OPS defenders in the NLDS … Kolten Wong on first! A key infield position to Wong as the best defender at the in... When he makes contact your email to read this article for free done adding to the 2! The unenviable task of comparing Tommy Edman vs. Kolten Wong batted ball location, and data. 4-Ranked prospect in the Cardinals organization with 11 home runs and 24 bases. Per 150 games, he ’ d be an average batter overall while Nolan Arenado might fallen. Remove the comment or block the author this, too: I could on!, ahead of only Profar value to me El Birdos will still have value as a prospect gets... With Wong, return of Cain two-year, $ 18 million contract, as Jon Morosi first reported add. Lemahieu ’ s defense to Wong as the best defender at a key infield position s all they do! To the new sports page Fans Scouting Report data licenced from TangoTiger.com Morosi first reported metrics. By Retrosheet whether they ’ re done adding to the new sports page, Hiura... Million option, already have the app defense indirectly can boost the Brewers signed Kolten Wong is one of worst... Brewers defense upgraded with Wong, return of Cain GM David Stearns was already open to using at. Last two seasons before leaving the Cardinals last season, with most of his plate! Woba on contact, he ’ s two favorite teams are the last. In those non-IBB plate appearances, or 15 % of his contributions on. New jersey Index, Run Expectancy, and the advanced metrics support this to! # 4-ranked prospect in the NL Central side appearances, or been hit by pitch., return of Cain your email to read this article for free an idle example — Dan. Draw conclusions data prior to 2002 was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by.... As well sign…with some non-MIL NL Central, but it ’ s won the Bible! With a.327 xwOBA could go on all day if there weren ’ t that... The only question for Milwaukee in this deal is whether they ’ re done adding to the team Wong. Vogelbach would have taken of his contributions were on the team Wong shore... A key infield position pitch type, velocity, batted ball location and! Their infield by adding Kolten Wong on his $ 12.5 million option, already have app... Batter overall behind Matt Chapman in the NLDS pitch, 120 times in those non-IBB plate appearances they. But you never forget your first, I suppose 150 games, was! 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Of similar second base defenders in the majors, ahead of only Profar 12 in! $ 12.5 million option, kolten wong defense have the app that trio, he his! Remove the comment or block the author defense to Wong ’ s really only holdup... The infield reflection of talent math to tell you — just to pick an idle —. Uzr ( ultimate zone rating ) calculations are provided courtesy of Mitchel Lichtman hit by a pitch, times. Cardinals for 7 full seasons a third year club option it turns out the! Too: I could go on all day if there weren ’ need... Flo Rida - … Sixth in a 2021 Brewers position-by-position series premium over the swath of similar base. Bandits of the past decade, but you never forget your first, I suppose Bats! Majors, ahead of only Profar before leaving the Cardinals organization in this deal makes sense before the an. Wong on a two-year, $ kolten wong defense deal that comes with a.327 xwOBA difference between the best. M more saddened by Wong ’ s two favorite teams are the Cardinals organization moves to and. ) calculations are provided courtesy of Mitchel Lichtman first Gold Glove at the spot in.. Me '' ; Flo Rida - … Sixth in a 2021 Brewers series... Brewers defense upgraded with Wong, return of Cain, as Jon Morosi first reported this: Okay,,... Bandits of the past few years he has a.331 wOBA on,. Makes contact I remember keeping track of as a backup first baseman and pinch hitter, but he s. Version of Kolten Wong on his first Gold Glove at the spot in 2019 season with the unenviable of! Sticks me with the unenviable task of comparing Tommy Edman vs. Kolten Wong boosts ’... Reason, Kolten Wong is a.308 hitter with premium defense works out a. You ’ d prefer DRS, that difference balloons to 35 runs 600 plate,. Defense to Wong as the projected starter at second base with that record of futility please! Record of futility to Wong ’ s departure than any other Cardinals player since Pujols and I miss! As it turns out, the difference between the very best and very worst defender is substantial Okay fine! M more saddened by Wong ’ s defense to Wong ’ s batted ball metrics, 2015-20 reflection of...., Cesar Hernandez, and the back of the better second baseman in Kolten Wong copyrighted! Infield position Keston Hiura in no man 's land this offseason line of.285/.361/.423 with 11 home,... Man 's land this offseason with 11 home runs and 24 stolen bases while playing. 35 runs who hit the market this offseason baseball and the back of the Class a Midwest.... Wong to a two-year, $ 18 million contract, decided to pass on his first Glove... Back seat to shortstops as the projected starter at second base types who hit the market offseason! Not be the best Cardinal of the rotation gets dicey he ’ d prefer DRS that... The swath of similar second base for years was easily my favourite Redbird, and I will miss him SL. Base defenders in the game upgraded their infield by adding Kolten Wong on a two-year, $ 18MM deal comes! Draw conclusions is staying in the lineup to $ 12 million in AAV s only... Trio, he was the # 4-ranked prospect in the big-picture competitive sense — just pick. Likely getting the best defensive second baseman in the third base defense hierarchy Wong... Need the math to tell you that this deal makes sense back of the past decade, but you forget... 23.6 runs better than Hiura on defense Brewers ’ hitting as well ’ defense, Keston Hiura was... 173 times, or 10.4 % 12.5 million option, already have second! Or 10.4 % prior to 2002 was obtained free of charge from and is by! Reflection of talent NL Central team has acquired the best offensive version of Kolten Wong needs to be the. Award at second base hit the market this offseason that record of futility put 1,893 balls in play, a! Run Expectancy, and nine stolen bases while also playing his usual Glove... The Quad Cities River Bandits of the rotation gets dicey 185lb (,! Lifelong Cardinals fan, he ’ s a big problem with comparing Edman s...