After making his debut last season as a replacement for then injured right fielder Michael Cuddyer, Span consistently took the field in right. In a total of 104 defensive games last season, Span was in right field for 85 of them and in center field for the other 19.
The stability that Span saw in the outfield last season isn't the case in 2009. With four members of the Twins as outfielders, Span seems to play a different outfield position each game. He has, however, been consistent as the team's lead-off hitter.
So far this season, Span has been the starter in left field 39 times, center field 42 times, and right field only 12 times. For now, Span will play anywhere so long as it's a starting role. In time however, even as soon as next season, Span will be looking to remain in onefull timelocation.
Span's best stats in 2009 have occurred at the left field position. Twins fans should hope to see him there in 2010, as Gomez and Cuddyer should take the helm at center and right respectively.
The UZR takes into account several different factors including a fielder's range. Each player has a positive or negative number which shows how many runs above or below average a fielder is at a given position.
This season Span has a UZR of 7.0 in left field, -3.5 in center field, and -1.2 in right field. With only 12 starts in right this season, his right field statistic may not beaccurate(he had a rating of 7.1 in right field last season), but his numbers in center and left have a much largersampling.
There's another stat called the UZR 150. This basically maps out a player's impact on how many runs he has cost or saved his team over the span of one hundred fifty games. Span's UZR 150 in left is 17.6. Only six players are better here.
Span has been greatly valued this season as a lead-off hitter andtable-setterfor All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. He's found his position in the lineup, and finally maybe, in the field as well.
The stability that Span saw in the outfield last season isn't the case in 2009. With four members of the Twins as outfielders, Span seems to play a different outfield position each game. He has, however, been consistent as the team's lead-off hitter.
So far this season, Span has been the starter in left field 39 times, center field 42 times, and right field only 12 times. For now, Span will play anywhere so long as it's a starting role. In time however, even as soon as next season, Span will be looking to remain in onefull timelocation.
Span's best stats in 2009 have occurred at the left field position. Twins fans should hope to see him there in 2010, as Gomez and Cuddyer should take the helm at center and right respectively.
The UZR takes into account several different factors including a fielder's range. Each player has a positive or negative number which shows how many runs above or below average a fielder is at a given position.
This season Span has a UZR of 7.0 in left field, -3.5 in center field, and -1.2 in right field. With only 12 starts in right this season, his right field statistic may not beaccurate(he had a rating of 7.1 in right field last season), but his numbers in center and left have a much largersampling.
There's another stat called the UZR 150. This basically maps out a player's impact on how many runs he has cost or saved his team over the span of one hundred fifty games. Span's UZR 150 in left is 17.6. Only six players are better here.
Span has been greatly valued this season as a lead-off hitter andtable-setterfor All-Stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. He's found his position in the lineup, and finally maybe, in the field as well.
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