Defensive Efficiency Ratio (DER)

BTW: I suggest reading that book!

Defensive Efficiency Ratio is a statistic used to evaluate team defense by finding out the rate of times batters reach base, on balls put in play. Basically, for every ball hit into the field of play, how likely is the defense to convert that into an out?

The formula for Defensive Efficiency Ratio is: 1 – ((H + ROE – HR) / (PA – BB – SO – HBP – HR)).

This stat is frequently used because looking at a team’s defense just by their fielding percentage is very misleading. Due to things like widespread defensive shifts, it is becoming hard to know exactly how good or bad a team’s defense really is. Even with the use of other defensive metrics like DRS and UZR, sometimes a really good or bad defender gets lost in the numbers for the team.

OK, if that sounds too complex, let’s just look at the DER of the top MLB teams:

So, the Dodgers are the best in baseball in DER and the Yankees are second. Is it coincidental that the teams with the best records in both leagues are #1 and #2 in DER? I think not. Defense wins championships, and DER is a very good way to measure how good a team’s overall defense actually is. The fact that the Dodgers are the best in baseball makes criticism of Muncy, Trea Turner, and Gavin Lux seem kind of hollow. Chill – all is good!

Tony Gonsolin Delivers in the Clutch

You can say whatever you want about Tony Gonsolin walking too many batters and making too many pitches, but dang, he is pitching very good in the clutch. First of all, he does walk too many batters and throws too many pitches, but let me remind you that he is 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA. His career EREA is 2.60. Yes, his walks are up – he has averaged 4.33 walks per 9 innings this year. It was 5.50 last year, but just 1.35 in 2020. If you have done it before, you can do it again. I think he will figure it out and cut way down on his walks, but I’ll take this too! I am a huge Tony Gonsolin fan. He has a very bright future. He does need to dial his walks back a bit and to do so, Doc has to keep running him out there. Pretty soon he will pitch into the 6th and 7th inning.

Give Edwin Rios a Chance

All I am saying is give Rios a chance! Rios has a chip on his shoulder and he should alternate with JT as DH and play 3B. Throughout his short career, Rios has averaged a HR every 12.6 ABs! Let him play! You can’t sit this guy right about now.

Justin Turner Needed That!

It has been a rough season for JT with fans wondering if Father Time has caught up to him. After going 4-5 last night and looking pretty solid, I think Father Time needs to take a seat. JT has this covered… at least for this season… maybe he should play 3B a little less…

Dodger Minor League News

• Maddux Bruns went 2.2 Innings, allowed 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 3 BB, and Struck Out 5, as the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes scored 2 runs on just 4 hits (2 by Jake Vogel) to win 2-1. The Quakes are now 18-10.
• Nick Nastrini went 4 innings for Great Lakes, allowing No hits, 1 BB, and 7 Strikeouts. His ERA is 2.30. He is starting to put it all together. Jonny DeLuca hit 2 HR as well (#’s 8 and 9). Great Lakes is now 16-12.
• Nate Robertson pitched 1.1 innings, striking out 3 and allowing 3 hits to get the win for Tulsa. Mark Washington pitched another scoreless inning (1.04 ERA). Jacob Amaya took two walks (.341 BA/1.245 OPS). Mike Busch was 1-3 with 2 BB (1.026 OPS). Tulsa won 8-6 with no extra-base hits, but Frisco walked 10 Drillers. Tulsa’s record is now 16-11.
• Andre Jackson went two innings for OKC and gave up 5 hits and 6 runs as he was beaten like a rented mule. Marshall Kasowski went 1.2 inning and gave up 2 hits but no runs. Jon Duplantier gave up 3 runs in 1.0 IP as did Justin Hagenman. Justin Bruihl pitched .1 inning and gave up 2 walks. Miguel Vargas hit a 3-run HR (his 4th) and Zach McKinstry was 3-5, while Kevin Pillar and Jamie Martin were both 2-5. OKC is now 18-13.

It is (Allegedly) Ryan Pepiot Time!

At 9:35 PDT ot 12:35 EDT, Ryan Pepiot is allegedly going to make his first start in The Show. The Dodgers sight does not list him yet. It says TBD, but that is because he is not yet on the roster. I assume he will start. Bring it, Pep!