Astros: Defensive Wins Above Replacement Leaders

Defensive WAR: Catcher, Maldonado’s Rank: 20th

Astros starting catcher, Martín Maldonado, possesses a perfect fielding percentage, and ranks 20th in the majors as the most valuable defensive contributor at the catching position. Maldonado, a Gold Glove catcher in 2017, has allowed just three passed balls in 297 innings of work this season.

Moreover, Maldonado’s throwing arm boasts a caught stealing percentage of 45 percent. The 12-year-veteran’s presence behind the plate is very real, as opposing teams have attempted only 11 stolen bases in his 35 games of action this season.

Defensive WAR: 1B, Gurriel’s Rank: 15th

Yuli Gurriel ranks 15th among all MLB first basemen in defensive wins above replacement. His defensive WAR is -0.2, which might seem poor because the value registers as a negative number, but that still ranks better than half of the other starting first basemen in the majors. Through 42 games played, Gurriel has committed only two errors in 333 total chances.