balfanman Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Just wanted to get some opinions on DeAza as a defensive centerfielder. Personally, I think that he has been okay overall, nothing special. I am one who listens to most every game on radio and Derrin Jackson, who was a pretty good defensive outfielder himself, has made the comment that DeAza plays way to deep because he is afraid that he can't go back to catch a ball very well. From listening, this has cost the Sox a few runs this season, including Fridays 14 inning marathon. I believe it was the 8th inning of that game, when the Royals tied it. Jackson claimed that DeAza should of easily caught the ball that led to the tying run, but he was playing way to deep and it dropped in front of him. In that case, the game should of been over after 9, saving 5 innings of wear and tear on our bullpen. What say ye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chw42 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 De Aza has pretty good range. He's a solid center fielder, IMO. Not spectacular, but he gets to everything that's routine and ranges great to left and right center. I haven't seen him have a lot of issues with balls over his head. He's made a few blunders though, mostly over-pursuing balls he has no business of getting to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 (edited) He's the best thing offensively we've had at centerfield since Aaron Rowand other than Rios's 2010 first half and MAYBE a month or so of Ken Griffey Jr in 2008. His defense does seem fairly average for MLB, which is a good thing by and large. Edited July 16, 2012 by Wedge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (balfanman @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:02 AM) Just wanted to get some opinions on DeAza as a defensive centerfielder. Personally, I think that he has been okay overall, nothing special. I am one who listens to most every game on radio and Derrin Jackson, who was a pretty good defensive outfielder himself, has made the comment that DeAza plays way to deep because he is afraid that he can't go back to catch a ball very well. From listening, this has cost the Sox a few runs this season, including Fridays 14 inning marathon. I believe it was the 8th inning of that game, when the Royals tied it. Jackson claimed that DeAza should of easily caught the ball that led to the tying run, but he was playing way to deep and it dropped in front of him. In that case, the game should of been over after 9, saving 5 innings of wear and tear on our bullpen. What say ye? He's improved in that he covers the gaps well, but far too many balls drop in front of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noonskadoodle Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (balfanman @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 12:02 PM) Just wanted to get some opinions on DeAza as a defensive centerfielder. Personally, I think that he has been okay overall, nothing special. I am one who listens to most every game on radio and Derrin Jackson, who was a pretty good defensive outfielder himself, has made the comment that DeAza plays way to deep because he is afraid that he can't go back to catch a ball very well. From listening, this has cost the Sox a few runs this season, including Fridays 14 inning marathon. I believe it was the 8th inning of that game, when the Royals tied it. Jackson claimed that DeAza should of easily caught the ball that led to the tying run, but he was playing way to deep and it dropped in front of him. In that case, the game should of been over after 9, saving 5 innings of wear and tear on our bullpen. What say ye? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balfanman Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (Marty34 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 10:12 AM) He's improved in that he covers the gaps well, but far too many balls drop in front of him. I guess maybe that's what I'm getting at. Does playing so deep help him cover the gaps better and if so, is that worth all of the balls that DeAza lets fall in front of him? From listening to Derrin Jackson, he seems to be of the opinion that DeAza should move in at least 3 - 4 steps. He should still be able to cover the gaps and go back on balls just as effectively, while taking away some of the bloops that fall in front of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty34 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (balfanman @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 11:30 AM) I guess maybe that's what I'm getting at. Does playing so deep help him cover the gaps better and if so, is that worth all of the balls that DeAza lets fall in front of him? From listening to Derrin Jackson, he seems to be of the opinion that DeAza should move in at least 3 - 4 steps. He should still be able to cover the gaps and go back on balls just as effectively, while taking away some of the bloops that fall in front of him. He plays really deep, noticably deep. DJ may be being kind by saying 3 or 4 steps. He plays that deep because he's really a corner OF'er. It's a sign he lacks confidence in CF. I'd put CF as the 2nd biggest defensive weak link on the team behind only C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 He's a plus CF'er IMO. Good range and a good arm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 I'd say well above average. He'd be excellent if not for the occasional headscratcher. I'm happy thinking of him as our CF for the foreseeable future. Hope he snaps out of this little slump though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner10 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 De Aza > Brian Anderson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (balfanman @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:30 PM) I guess maybe that's what I'm getting at. Does playing so deep help him cover the gaps better and if so, is that worth all of the balls that DeAza lets fall in front of him? From listening to Derrin Jackson, he seems to be of the opinion that DeAza should move in at least 3 - 4 steps. He should still be able to cover the gaps and go back on balls just as effectively, while taking away some of the bloops that fall in front of him. If DJ is correct, I say move him in a couple steps and have him work on drifting backward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 05:45 PM) If DJ is correct, I say move him in a couple steps and have him work on drifting backward. I feel like I heard a few times he isn't very comfortable with balls hit over his head which is why he plays relatively deep. It would be something to work on in the off-season rather than now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg775 Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 QUOTE (GoodAsGould @ Jul 16, 2012 -> 10:54 PM) I feel like I heard a few times he isn't very comfortable with balls hit over his head which is why he plays relatively deep. It would be something to work on in the off-season rather than now. That's probably a good call. Unless he goes out there before every game the rest of the way and has somebody adept with a bat smack fly balls over his head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottyDo Posted July 17, 2012 Share Posted July 17, 2012 I heard DJ mention it a few weeks ago and started looking for it and he's right. In that time, De Aza has been a step or two away from balls that drop in front of him on many occasions, yet hasn't even come close to missing a ball hit deep. He should probably move in a little to adjust that ratio. It's worth letting one or two balls go over your head for doubles if it means cutting off 10 more singles (especially run-scoring ones). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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