Nick Punto: Undervalued and Unappreciated

Written by Andrew Kneeland

Thursday, 11 February 2010 18:00

My opinion on Nick Punto has been made well known here at TwinsTarget. Based on previous entries, you know that I wouldn’t mind having Punto in the lineup every day.

I know that many of you disagree, some vehemently. Here are three simple statements about Punto that need to be known, and that will perhaps change your opinion of the most controversial utility infielder in the state of Minnesota.

1.Nick Punto is an above average base runner.

I won’t use advanced statistics much during this piece, but EqBRR (Equivalent Base-Running Runs) is just too good to pass up. This stat combined not only stolen bases, but also ground, air, and hit advancements. EqBRR sums those totals and adjusts them so they can be read easily.

Punto’s EqBRR last season was 4.3, the 14th highest total in the league. Punto led the Twins last year in that category. Despite the taste left in your mouth after the base-running blunder against the Yankees last October, Punto is usually smart on the base paths.

2.Nick Punto is an excellent defender.

Although he is 32 years old, Punto remains a very solid defensive player at several key positions. Punto’s playing time last season was split between second base and shortstop, two of the four toughest defensive positions on the diamond. In 58 games at shortstop in 2009, Punto had a UZR/150 of 4.7. In 63 games at second last year, he posted a UZR/150 of 9.4

This total at shortstop is well below his career average, and far below his 2008 total. When viewing these defensive numbers, though, it is important to realize the small-sample size of just about every year. It’s ironic, but Punto’s versatility makes it difficult to examine his defensive statistics on a year-to-year basis.

Throughout his career, Punto has played an almost identical amount of time at second, shortstop, and third base. His UZR/150 at second is 3.9, while it is 18.1 at second and 19.9 at third.

Only average offensive production is required from a player of Punto’s defensive caliber.

3.Nick Punto is an above average No. 9 hitter.

Last season was a down year for Punto offensively, when he posted a line of .228/.337/.284, while the league-average No. 9 hitter hit .245/.305/.349. What should draw your attention is the on-base-percentage, the second number listed in the slash stats.

The most important offensive role of a No. 9 hitter is to not record an out. By getting on base, the No. 9 hitter can prolong a rally for another run through the batting order. Punto is extremely patient at the plate – he took the most pitches per plate appearance on the team, last year, in fact – and posted an OBP well above the league average for a No. 9 hitter.

No, Punto can’t hit and no, Punto can’t hit for power. But he can get on base, which is all a manager can ask of his No. 9 hitter.

Now, let me be clear about something: Ideally, Punto should be a utility infielder that comes off the bench. We lack the personnel to make that happen, though, so Punto will, and should, start just about every day until Danny Valencia is ready. If there were a quality third baseman on the team, Punto should be limited to a utility role.

Although he has zero power to speak of (12 career home runs to go with a .324 slugging percentage), Punto is a good option at third base and the 9th position in the batting order for the 2010 season.

Manager Ron Gardenhire may give him some favoritism, but we should be happy to have Little Nicky Punto.

Comments (7) Add Comment

When you're sliding into 1st and you feel something burst...
written by Union, February 11, 2010

EqBRR must not account for head first slides! Ah oh, no I didn't! smilies/shocked.gif

...
written by AMR, February 12, 2010

From the point at which the Twins were subject to elimination at the end of the 2009, until that awful baserunning gaffe against the Yankees, Punto got on base at a .485 streak (16 out of 33) and saw 4.8 pitches per PA. I think he was a big part of that streak that saw the Twins win the division.

But I hate it whenever he hits fly balls to the outfield.

You're Right
written by romer, February 12, 2010

Nice summarization, Andrew. Thanks.

Fool
written by Andrew Erickson, April 12, 2010

Your opinion and arguments are quite foolish, actually. For example, Nick Punto is not an excellent base runner considering he over-ran third base during an ALDS game last year against the Yankees, causing the Twins to lose the game. Furthermore, your argument about how he is an above average number 9 hitter is rather foolish due to the fact that you're taking pitchers who are horrible hitters in the NL into the equation. Nick Punto's defensive abilities are not enough to make up for his HORRIBLE offensive play. If you take the percentage of runs that a better hitter who currently plays for the twins could contribute, compared to the amount of runs saved due to his defensive play you will find that he is not worth starting. Any game. Ever. Fool.

-2

Fool
written by Andrew Erickson, April 12, 2010

-2

Is that so?
written by andrewkneeland, April 12, 2010

"Your opinion and arguments are quite foolish, actually. For example, Nick Punto is not an excellent base runner considering he over-ran third base during an ALDS game last year against the Yankees, causing the Twins to lose the game."

Like most fans, you are allowing one mistake (in a very high-leverage situation) to dilute Punto's base-running from the previous 167-or-so games he played that season. An extra-base taken in May is the same as a stolen base in October.

"Furthermore, your argument about how he is an above average number 9 hitter is rather foolish due to the fact that you're taking pitchers who are horrible hitters in the NL into the equation."

No, as a matter of fact, I am not taking into account pitchers from the National League.

"Nick Punto's defensive abilities are not enough to make up for his HORRIBLE offensive play. If you take the percentage of runs that a better hitter who currently plays for the twins could contribute, compared to the amount of runs saved due to his defensive play you will find that he is not worth starting. Any game. Ever. Fool."

Although I do thank you for the nice compliments, you are again mistaken. See, I gave statistical evidence in the article as to why Punto's defense makes up for his offensive ineptitude. You provide nothing to back up your claims. I would be more than willing to listen if you could back up your claim. Did Punto's offensive (lack of) contributions out-weigh his defensive prowess? Show me how you know this.

Thanks for the comment, though, Andrew. It is appreciated.

wonderful life
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