Comparing Swanson and Arcia ahead of the upcoming Braves vs. Cubs series
The Atlanta Braves take on Dansby Swanson and the Chicago Cubs today for the first time since Dansby departed. We examine which player has been better in 2023.
Swanson vs. Arcia: Defensive Statistics
Orlando Arica is no slouch with the glove. He ranks in the 94th percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA) and has two defensive runs saved. Two rDRS means he's worth two defensive runs saved more than the average shortstop. Being better than the average major-league shortstop is incredibly difficult and quite an accomplishment. If you need a refresher on some of these defensive metrics, click here.
Dansby is a former Gold Glove Award winner and appears to be having the best defensive season of his career. He ranks in the 100th percentile in OAA. His 12 defensive runs saved is the most by a shortstop in the National League. Again, to be that far ahead of the rest of the pack at one of the most demanding defensive positions in baseball is a heck of an accomplishment.
Fangraphs has a statistic called "Def" which takes positional adjustments out of the equation and just gives every fielder a defensive runs saved value based on all players. So, an average shortstop with zero defensive runs saved would have a much higher "Def" score since the average shortstop is much better than most other positions.
In terms of their Def ratings, Arcia has the 19th-highest score in all of baseball at 7.6. Dansby ranks fourth in the league with a 13.5.
Both players scored very well here, but Dansby is playing Gold-Glove quality defensive. Dansby wins this round.
Swanson vs. Arcia: Offensive Stats
Dansby Swanson: .265/.348/.451, 11 R, 16 2B, 16 HR, 51 RBI, 4 SB, .799 OPS, 112 OPS+
Orlando Arcia: 2.1 rWAR, .296/.350/.449, 45 R, 13 2B, 11 HR, 38 RBI, 1 SB, .798 OPS, 110 OPS+
Things are pretty close on offense. When you consider that Dansby has 65 more at-bats than Arcia this season, things get even closer.
Arcia hits a double every 23 at-bats. Swanson hits a double every 23 at-bats.
Arcia has a homer every 27 at-bats. Swanson hits a homer every 23 at-bats.
They are one point off each other in OPS with Swanson at .799 and Arcia at .798. Both are well above league average.
Swanson has six more runs scored than Arcia, but he's played in nine more games than Orlando. On top of that, he hits higher in the lineup. The Braves offense is so potent, it really doesn't matter where you hit in the order. You are gonna score if you get on base.
Arcia has the advantage in terms of batting average. He puts the ball in play an awful lot. Arcia is in the 70th percentile in K% while Dansby is toward the bottom in the 32nd percentile of the league. Arcia boasts a .296 average while Dansby is at .265.
I don't think there is any reason to declare a clear winner on offense since Dansby has played a few more games than Arcia. The OPS scores are so close, they could switch spots after the series. These two shortstops basically have identical OBPs and SLGs.