Austin Jackson Lost his Range in 2013

In previous posts, I looked at the Revised Zone Rating (RZR) and Out-of-Zone Plays (OOZ) metrics listed at FanGraphs.  Links to these posts are provided below:

• Conversion of RZR, OOZ to runs (from 2012)

• Shortstops

• Second basemen 

• Third basemen

• First basemen

Now, I'll move to the outfield starting in center field.  Table 1 below contains the following information for 21 MLB center fielders with 800 or more innings in 2013:

• Inn = Innings

• RZR = Revised Zone Rating

• OOZ = Out-of-Zone Plays

• PIZAA =  Plays in Zone Above Average

• OOZAA = Out-of-Zone Plays Above Average

• PMAA = Total Plays Above Average

• RSAA = Runs Saved Above Average

The top center fielders defensively in the majors in 2013 according to these measures were Brewers speedster Carlos Gomez (+26 RSAA) and Mets rookie Juan Lagares (+22).  Both were ordinary on plays in the center field zone (+5 for Gomez, -5 for Lagares), but outstanding outside the zone (+26 and +31).  The worst defender was Adam Jones of the Orioles (-25). 

Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson was seventh in MLB with +4 RSAA, down from +17 in 2012.  This is probably not surprising to those who watched regularly as he seemed to not be making as many plays this year.  Jackson was equally unremarkable on plays inside (+2) and outside the zone (+3) in 2013.  He was much better outside the zone in 2012 when he was +17 plays above average.

Players often peak early defensively, but we can't assume that Jackson's loss of range is permanent.  He missed about a month with a strained hamstring from mid-May to mid-June, so one has to wonder whether it might have affected him throughout the season.  If that's the case, we might see an improved Jackson defensively in 2013 if he stays healthy.  

Table 1: Runs Saved by MLB Center Fielders According to RZR, OOZ, 2013

Player	Team	Inn	RZR	OOZ	PIZ AA	OOZ AA	PMAA	RSAA
Carlos Gomez	MIL	1,242	.942	113	5	26	31	26
Juan Lagares	NYM	819	.900	88	-5	31	26	22
Colby Rasmus	TOR	1,002	.958	81	8	11	19	16
Coco Crisp	OAK	919	.960	67	9	3	12	10
Leonys Martin	TEX	974	.917	76	-2	8	6	5
Alejandro De Aza	CHW	888	.914	69	-3	7	5	4
Austin Jackson	DET	1,145	.936	82	2	3	5	4
Brandon Barnes	HOU	913	.912	71	-3	7	4	3
Jon Jay	STL	1,285	.927	93	0	3	4	3
Brett Gardner	NYY	1,166	.924	84	-0	3	2	2
A.J. Pollock	ARI	915	.920	66	-1	2	1	1
Jacoby Ellsbury	BOS	1,188	.923	84	-1	1	0	0
Mike Trout	LAA	952	.960	59	8	-7	0	0
Denard Span	WSN	1,300	.911	94	-5	3	-1	-1
Michael Bourn	CLE	1,098	.940	70	3	-7	-4	-3
Dexter Fowler	COL	921	.924	50	-0	-14	-15	-12
B.J. Upton	ATL	975	.917	54	-2	-14	-16	-13
Desmond Jennings	TBR	1,188	.942	58	5	-25	-20	-17
Shin-Soo Choo	CIN	1,333	.911	72	-4	-21	-25	-21
Andrew McCutchen	PIT	1,378	.952	62	7	-34	-27	-22
Adam Jones	BAL	1,394	.899	76	-8	-21	-29	-25

Data source: FanGraphs.com