That's What Cheesehead: 37.22 - Raider Misses as All-Star due to..... Zone Rating?

[7teen]

The Frick League All-Star reserves were announced today and it came to a huge shock to many in Madison that Mons Raider's name was left off as a member of the team. Raider, who entered the All-Star break tied for 5th in the Frick League in overall WAR, was left off in favor of several "lesser players" all because what appears to be a single defensive rating category of Zone Rating.

"I have to admit, I'm fairly disappointed to having not been named as a reserve to the team" said Raider today when news came out that he wasn't on the team. "I feel like I'm having a really good season, especially after being injured last season. The transition back to second base has been made rather seemlessly for me. I know many were concerned and wondering how I'd adjust back. I feel like it's going well. But I guess some disagree."

Raider was left off as one GM in the league said "Raider is an absolute anchor in the field and has no business playing the position." It goes as very little surprise that Raider does rank outside the top 8 at second base when it comes to Zone Rating and Range. In fact, he's probably one of the bottom guys in those categories. But to say he has "no business playing the position" might be a slight stretch.

"He has the best fielding percentage in the Frick at the position" said manager Millard Davis. "He's done so because he's only made 2 errors all season. This for a guy who's had the 5th most chances at the spot in the league."

Raider has also been a part of 75 double plays. Most in the league. He's also made 162 putouts. Most in the league.

"'No business playing the position"' scoffed General Manager Chris Wilson. "As always, other people can run your team better than you I suppose. We tried the defense approach and Raider at 1B for years. Where did it get us? Oh yeah, 3 straight losing seasons. We're 7 games over .500 right now and in the post-season hunt with Mons at 2B. I think he's our 2B today, tomorrow, and for the foreseeable future."

Heading into the all-start break, Raider leads all second baseman in batting average (10 points higher than next guy), on-base percentage (43 points higher than the next guy), and stolen bases (approximately 1 million more than the next guy.)

"I'm upset but it's all good" concluded Raider. "I think I'm going to take my family down to Florida for a few days and just enjoy the three days off before the second half starts. I'll be well rested for the second half."

Topping Raider at the position for the All-Star position were Monger and Gillstrom. The top two 2B based on WAR in the Frick.

[Ted]

I mean, it's not that hard to have a really high fielding percentage when you never move more than a few steps to get to a ball right? There's a reason first basemen have higher fielding percentages than shortstops. I might have taken Raider over Gillstrom, but it's not like Raider's easily better than Gillstrom at second this year. He's offensively incredible as an on base, steals guy, but defensively decidedly below average. His EFF is really bad too. Are we also going to ignore where Gillstrom is out slugging him by 150 points? Raider leads Gillstom by 80 or so in OBP. The idea that this is jsut about WAR or neoptism is reather reductive. Raider was decidedly not voted the starter, and got fewer votes for second place than Gillstrom. He is better than Gillstrom in some categories, worse in others. I think the edge is slightly Gillstrom, but I'd also admit I might have taken Raider because I love OBP. But this isn't exactly egregious. Do you take three second basemen? I mean, Justin is asking for a third third basemen. Did Randy take too many 1B/DH? I dunno. The ASG is supposed to some degree to be about the most exiting hitters. Those tend to be 1B and DH. The Frick is really deep at IF positions at the moment.

[usnspecialist]

As I said on the other thread, I put a priority on selecting a balanced team. The last spot came down to raider (who gets all of his hitting value from OBP), Morales (who gets all of his value from SLG) and Simpson (who is fairly balanced). I took the balanced guy. If you don't like it, knock me out of the playoffs if you get there.

[felipe]

REALLY...WHO CARES...

It's the runnerup team in the All-Star Game

It means nothing...

Who cares who's on the loser team?

[ae37jr]

Look at the bright side. You saved $200k in all star bonus.

[RonCo]

Great article. I boggled at the idea of Raider not playing in the game before hand...so it's nice to be right on occasion.

[Spiccoli]

Sorry Chris... But if I had to choose between Gilstrom or Raider, I'd take Gilstrom. He's just a more well rounded player with incredible offense and a stud fielder at 2B.

It's super close though and Raider's no slouch. Like I said in the other thread. It's easy to say So & So should have made it, but who are you going to take off in his place? Both Raider and Gilstrom are on the offensive leader boards all over the place. I don't envy having to make that decision.

That said, Raider's a terror and a menace at the top of the lineup. Jon MIck can thank him for making him an All Star.