Rob Neyer comments on this Bob Harkins story on Jeter’s improving defense. Both make suggestions as to the why, from exercises to improve lateral movement to dumb luck. What I’ve seen when I watch Yankees games, however, is that Jeter is better positioned. I’ve seen ground balls hit up the middle that I assumed were going to be hits, but Derek is right there to field them. Maybe the Yankees are doing better advance scouting, or making better use of hit charts to position their players.
Tex has had a big effect on Jeter’s defense . . . in a positive way. He is the first gifted 1B they have had in a long time.
I agree with John
I wrote about this a bit over at my blog: http://www.noyoureatowel.net/2009/06/yankee-game-still-delayed.html
I think that Tex helps out in two ways. He grabs a lot of Jeter’s poor throws and he also covers more ground at 1B…which allows Cano to move over…which lessens the amount of room Jeter has to cover.