By Mark Simon

There are a fair number of teams that have one excellent defensive player at a position. But how many teams have what the Yankees do defensively at shortstop?

The Yankees seem to have a wealth of riches there. For most of the season, that was referring to José Caballero, who had 9 Runs Saved in 64 games but is currently out with an injury. It also referenced Anthony Volpe, who has had as many as 15 Runs Saved in a season, and has 3 Runs Saved in 56 games there this season. He's currently in the minors and his recent reps have come at second base.

That's because the Yankees have someone who looks like he's going to be a defensive superstar, George Lombard Jr., who has 8 Runs Saved in his first 12 games.

I imagine this is going to raise some eyebrows because that’s a lot of Runs Saved in a short amount of time. It happens sometimes. Defensive stats don't operate in a way that we would say that someone is "on pace for," so you wouldn't proclaim that Lombard was going to break all the Runs Saved records just as you wouldn't say that someone with 8 home runs in 12 games is going to hit 100 home runs in a season.

Some of Lombard's early success in Runs Saved is simply a product of plenty of opportunities. His range factor per 9 innings is 5.1 (62 chances in his first 109 innings). The MLB average for a shortstop is 3.7, so he's handled about 17 chances (putouts + assists + errors) more than an average shortstop (and that's not counting balls he missed).

Nonetheless, Lombard has looked the part of a good defensive shortstop so far (this play is our favorite, but this one is pretty good too).

Our greater point is that all of the Yankees shortstops combined have 21 Runs Saved this season, the most for any team at any infield position. Even if Lombard had only 0, 1, 5, or even -2 Runs Saved, the Yankees shortstops would still have be either No. 1 or No. 2 among shortstops in that stat.

They're not the only team that's done the defense by committee thing really well this season. Here are a few other examples with the notable top contributors listed. Their Runs Saved are in parentheses.

Mets pitchers - Nolan McLean (5), Luke Weaver (3), Kodai Senga (2), Others (8) - Total: 18 Runs Saved

Any pitcher leader list is going to be a group effort and with the Mets, it's kind of a funny one since some of their pitcher leaders aren't with the team anymore (Luke Weaver, Huascar Brazoban among them). McLean will be a contender for a Fielding Bible Award. That the pitchers are doing so well is partly a credit to Luis Torrens, who has been great at stopping the running game. Pitchers and catchers share credit for that.

Cubs pitchers also merit props. They're second to the Mets with 14 Runs Saved.

Blue Jays catchers - Tyler Heineman (6), Alejandro Kirk (5), and Brandon Valenzuela (5) - Total: 16 Runs Saved

The Blue Jays are the only team in baseball to have three players with at least 5 Runs Saved at one position. Alejandro Kirk has a history of strong defensive play and has contended for Fielding Bible Awards in the past. Brandon Valenzuela, Kirk's current catching partner, has 9 errors but is a good framer and blocker, and controls the running game well. Tyler Heineman was the odd man out when Kirk returned in June from a two-month absence. He's now with the Angels.

Royals third base - Maikel Garcia (7), Nick Loftin (6), Josh Rojas (3) - Total: 16 Runs Saved

This has been a rough season for the Royals, but they've gotten the most out of their third basemen this season. Their 16 Runs Saved are tied with the Giants for the most at the position.

Maikel Garcia was on track to contend for a Gold Glove before suffering a hand injury and just returned to the lineup. Nick Loftin, who hasn't put up good numbers at second base, has been very good at third and utility man Josh Rojas has done fine in his time there.

The Giants have had their own committee thing going at third base with Matt Chapman (16) and Casey Schmitt (2) standing out, though both are now hurt.

Brewers third base - David Hamilton (7), Joey Ortiz (5), Luis Rengifo (2), Others (-1) - Total: 13 Runs Saved

David Hamilton had put up 8 Runs Saved in both 2024 and 2025 at second base for the Red Sox. He had played only an inning at third base in the majors prior to this season but he's taken to the position as well as he had second base. He's moved around and played both shortstop and second base this year too.

Speaking of moving around, Joey Ortiz was mostly playing shortstop until the arrival of Cooper Pratt moved him back to third base, where he had played well in the past. Ortiz is back at shortstop now with Pratt out with a hamstring injury.

Guardians center field - Steven Kwan (6), Daniel Schneeman (6), Others (1) - Total: 13 Runs Saved

Steven Kwan, who had been the game's best defensive left fielder the last several seasons, has moved between center and left field throughout 2026. When Kwan has played left, Daniel Schneeman (early in the season) and Petey Halpin (more recently) have played center. Halpin has 0 Runs Saved, but has an arm, which ranks among the strongest in baseball.

Braves left field - Mauricio Dubon (5), Eli White(4), Mike Yastrzemski (2), Lane Thomas (1), Others (-1) - Total: 11 Runs Saved

Mauricio Dubon, a past contender for The Fielding Bible Award for multi-position play, has gotten most of his playing time in left field this year and has 5 Runs Saved. Eli White played there occasionally before his trade to the Red Sox and made a positive contribution. Mike Yastrzemski has a history of reliability in the corner outfield spots and that's held true this year

Dodgers second base - Alex Freeland (5), Tommy Edman (4), Miguel Rojas (1), Others (0) - Total: 10 Runs Saved

Tommy Edman didn't come back from an ankle injury until mid-June and prior to that Alex Freeland filled in capably in the field, and Miguel Rojas chipped in with his usual steady play.

The FieldingBible.com website is a great resource for your defensive stat needs.

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