The Hall of Fame ballot has arrived, sparking debates and discussions about one of the most polarizing topics in sports. This year's ballot is particularly weak in first-time candidates, with Cole Hamels being the best among them and unlikely to be elected this year. However, we'd like to shift the focus to a player who is more likely to receive votes from the BBWAA: former Kansas City Royals left fielder Alex Gordon.
Gordon's career spanned 14 seasons, starting in 2005 when he was drafted as the second overall pick and hailed as one of the game's top prospects. He peaked from 2011 to 2014, averaging nearly 6 bWAR and playing in over 150 games per season. His most memorable moment came in the 2015 World Series, where he hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning, leading the Royals to victory.
However, it's Gordon's defensive skills that truly shine. He's the overall leader in Defensive Runs Saved for left field, dating back to 2003. Gordon won 4 Fielding Bible Awards, the most among left fielders. His success can be attributed to three key areas: Range, Outfield Arm, and Good Plays & Defensive Misplays and Errors.
In terms of Range, Gordon recorded 40 Range Runs Saved, ranking fifth overall. While he lags behind leader Brett Gardner, his strength lies in Outfield Arm and Good Plays & Misplays. Gordon accumulated 51 Outfield Arm Runs Saved and 26 Runs Saved from Good Plays and Misplays, both of which are the highest among left fielders.
The Outfield Arm category rewards players for preventing baserunners from taking extra bases, throwing out runners, and penalizing those who advance multiple bases. Gordon's strong arm earned him valuable runs in this category.
The Good Plays and Misplays category has been tracked for over 20 years, counting not just highlight-reel catches but also subtle plays like cutting off a ball in the gap to prevent a baserunner's advancement. Gordon had 46 'Holds to Single' in his career, far exceeding the average left fielder's expected 31. This translates to approximately 4.5 additional Runs Saved.
Additionally, Gordon had 17 instances of 'Mishandling Ball After Safe Hit,' which is expected for an average defender playing as often as him. This category is worth around 9.5 Runs Saved, further highlighting Gordon's defensive prowess.
While we don't suggest voting for Gordon for the Hall of Fame based solely on these numbers, it's undeniable that he's one of baseball's best defensive players in the last 25 years. Acknowledging his exceptional defensive skills is well-deserved.
