Meet Brett Gardner, the 12th Best Position Player In MLB

Brett Gardner flashing some leather.  (Credit: Zimbio)

According to this Fangraphs article, Brett Gardner is the 12th best position player in MLB.  And by "best," I mean that Gardner's WAR -- Wins Above Replacement -- is currently ranked 12th in baseball, behind such names as Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Gonzalez, Joey Votto, Jose Bautista, Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, and Evan Longoria.  And believe it or not, Gardner's 9.2 is only 0.6 short of being ranked third on that list of perennial MVP candidates.  Impressive.

Now, I realize that's a big statement to make about a sprightly left fielder who was hitting .244/.372/.696 three weeks ago.  Yet I just can't disagree with Fangraphs' assessment.  WAR isn't just about big sluggers putting up gaudy power numbers.  It also values defense, which may be Gardner's best asset -- his 14.1 UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) is currently tops in MLB.  (Oh, and by the way, Gerardo Parra's second-ranked UZR is an incredible 12% lower than Gardner's.)  In essence, Gardner uses his speed to track balls down and his strong arm to nail foolish baserunners.  Exhibit A = this beautiful catch-and-throw double play that recently preserved the Yankees' 3-2 lead over the Cubs with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning:

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