Let’s begin by stipulating that this signing, participant, and state of affairs will not be essentially what we might’ve chosen for ourselves.
However that is the place we at the moment are.
Definitely this isn’t the bat we wished, however let’s lay that apart for the second. Let’s take into consideration protection, which is one thing the Purple Sox themselves have pledged to dedicate extra thought and energy to.
Earlier than signing IKF, indicators had been pointing towards Marcelo Mayer staffing third base, with completely different reviews predicting Nick Sogard, or a Romy Gonzalez/David Hamilton platoon at second.
My intestine was telling me that IKF was the higher possibility, defensively. Romy may bedazzle us every now and then, however he made me nervous. Hamilton doesn’t go the attention check both and bounced all the way down to Worcester accordingly. Similar with Sogard.
Baseball Reference affords the Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Average metric which they outline as “The variety of runs above or under common the participant was value based mostly on the variety of performs made.” For simplicity, they stylize this as Rtot, so I’ll too.
At second base in 2024, throughout two leagues (enjoying for each the Pirates and the Blue Jays), IKF had a fielding share of .990 which was above the MLB common of .984. IKF’s Rtot was 5 runs above common that yr at second. Although he performed solely 56 video games (376 innings) at that place, Baseball Reference extrapolates 17 Rtot over 1,200 innings (roughly 135 video games, if he had been slotted in there). Not unhealthy.
In 2025 for the Blue Jays, over 13 video games at second base, IKF’s fielding share was an excellent 1.000, although in a small pattern dimension. His true Rtot was 1, extrapolated to 34 over 1,200 innings.
Trying on the identical Baseball Reference stats for Romy in 2024 with the Purple Sox, we’ve got:
130.1 innings at 2B, .964 fielding share in comparison with .983 league common, Rtot of -4, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: -32. Ouch.
In 2025 at 2B: 288 innings, .978 fielding share in comparison with .982 league common, Rtot of -2, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: -9.
I congratulate Romy on bettering from the earlier season, however the Purple Sox new defense-first mannequin shouldn’t tolerate any destructive numbers right here. Neither can the Purple Sox afford it, with so many pitchers—significantly Crochet, Ranger Suárez, Sonny Grey, and Bello—inducing as many floor balls as they do. And in addition to roster-specific causes, we’ve more and more seen how skinny the margins might be in attending to the playoffs. The Purple Sox have wanted to prioritize protection for a very long time.
Let’s have a look at David Hamilton.
In 2024 at 2B: 266.2 innings, .978 fielding share in comparison with .983 league common, Rtot of 5, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: 21.
In 2025 at 2B: 401.2 innings, .973 fielding share in comparison with .982 league common, Rtot of 5, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: 16.
Same exercise, however even smaller pattern dimension.
In 2024 at 2B: 99 innings, 1.000 fielding share, Rtot of -1, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: -12.
In 2025 at 2B: 65 innings, 1.000 fielding share, Rtot of 0-1, and Rtot extrapolated over 1,200 innings: -4.
I’m completely comfy with IKF beginning at second over González, Hamilton, or Sogard. I might a lot quite see him play there and be sure-handed, than fiddle with common platoons. (I say this whilst I really feel certain that one of many principal causes for buying IKF is his versatility within the infield.)
Sure, Romy’s bat is best towards lefties, however he isn’t the common reply within the infield. He’s a valued bench participant. I’ve much less confidence in Hamilton and Sogard, however they’re bench gamers too, in the event that they make the group out of spring coaching. Give the keys to IKF.
