Sunday, August 14, 2011

Error by Detrot Tigers Ryan Raburn at third base was predictable - this is why

Jim Leyland is not alone among managers when it comes to seeing players in positions where they don't really fit - like when he starts Ryan Raburn at third base. (Raburn has 70 errors in 202 professional games, majors and minors, at third base and clearly can't play the position effectively).
I remember Sparky Anderson once put Matt Nokes in the outfield because he thought he was a good enough athlete to handle it. It didn't work.
But in this case, the Tigers got a dose of Raburn at third when he made two errors in a one-run loss to the Royals in 2009.
Leyland hasn't played with that fire much since. Gradually, he's started Raburn at third more - with OK results. But not Sunday. when his error essentially killed the Tigers' chances to rally.
Raburn's fielding percentage at third base, both in the majors and minors, is in the mid-.800s.
It isn't much of a surprise it happened.





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