Is Peralta the Devil?

 

It is a well known fact that the 2006 edition of the Cleveland Indians is not a very good defensive team.  The unearned runs being yielded by the pitching staff is adding up, and the miscues continue mostly from the infield.  Thankfully, the fans and the talk show hosts have found a scapegoat, SS Jhonny Peralta.

 

As is typical of our fair city, we have identified the non-white athlete.  This is not to say that Peralta has had an excellent year defensively, far from it.  He has made 13 errors, some in the worst situations imaginable.  But, he is not the only player making key miscues.  Peralta’s neighbor at third base, Aaron Boone, has booted the ball 15 times, many on very easy chances.

 

Ben Broussard, who plays with a daily brain cramp, is arguably the worst 1B in the league.  His failure to come up with Curtis Granderson’s ground ball on the first hitter of the game led to five unearned runs last night.  I can count at least five errors or bone headed plays made by Broussard in the last six weeks. 

 

However, Peralta has become the poster boy for the problems.  Granted, he does play the most important and difficult position on the diamond.

 

Again, this is not to say that 24 year old is the perfect shortstop.  He has to do better on routine plays, but he has a strong arm and can make the play in the hole.  He does have problems going to his left, but so does last year’s Gold Glove winner at SS, Derek Jeter.  According to Baseball Prospectus, Peralta’s ranks in the middle of the pack defensively among all major league shortstops.  His range factor is very acceptable for the position. 

 

Peralta is NOT the problem, he is PART of the problem.  He has become the target because he doesn’t say a lot to the media.  I keep hearing about how great it is that Aaron Boone didn’t hide after kicking yet another ball Friday night in a 14-6 loss to the Twins.  That’s outstanding.  His best quality as a player is answering questions after he contributes to a defeat.  I’d rather have a guy who doesn’t blow the game, and leaves the locker room immediately after the game.

 

JK