The Royals (116) were the only American League team to commit more errors than the 113 charged to the White Sox last season. The new-wave statistics weren’t kind either.
The White Sox finished fourth-worst in the majors with an ultimate zone rating (UZR) of -35.6, as judged by FanGraphs. The Web site defines UZR as the number of runs above or below average a team is in both range runs and error runs combined.
“There’s a handful of different ways to go about it,” assistant general manager Rick Hahn said. “Ranging from just the experience and what you see with your eyes from pure scouting, to the other extreme of getting into the advanced defensive metrics that are out there.”
In making judgments, the front office will blend statistical analysis with individual reports. An objective calculation might trigger a conversation with a scout: Have you noticed this about a defender’s range when he is going to his left? In particular Williams, who played football at Stanford, likes to break down videotape.
“We look at everything. It’s an amalgamation,” Hahn said. “At the end of the day, Kenny has his roots in playing the game. (It’s) what he sees with his eyes that’s really going to make that decision.” …
Hopefully Hahn is the next Sox GM…
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