MLB teams
Scott Spratt, Special to ESPN.com 10y

How Orioles win without Machado

MLB, Baltimore Orioles

While Chris Davis was smashing 53 home runs, scoring 103 runs and knocking in 138 runners, you may not have noticed how excellent a season sophomore Manny Machado was having for the Orioles in 2013. Machado hit 39 fewer home runs than Davis, but he was the more valuable player overall according to Baseball-Reference's "Wins Above Replacement" statistic (Machado contributed 6.4 wins and Davis contributed 6.1). One reason for Machado's gaudy WAR total was his power. It just was not as obvious as Davis'. Machado hit 51 doubles last season, which was second-most in baseball behind only Matt Carpenter of the Cardinals. But Machado's bat was only part of his success.

His truly elite skill is his defense, and that is what overcame the majority of Davis' offensive advantage last season. A natural shortstop, Machado excels at third base, where his range allows him to make plays on balls that most players at the position cannot reach. In addition, Machado's great arm allows him to play deeper than most third basemen, which further augments that range. Baseball Info Solutions estimates Machado saved the Orioles 35 runs at third base in 2013, which was the most at the position and fourth-most overall in baseball. Based on an estimation of 10 runs per each additional win, Machado earned 3 1/2 wins with only his defense.

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