Harper’s defense boosts his candidacy for National League rookie of the year. Reds third baseman Todd Frazier has Harper beat on every major offensive count – average, on-base percentage, slugging, home runs and RBI. Frazier seems to be the frontrunner, and he’s absolutely worthy. But Harper’s defense gives him 3.0 wins above replacement by FanGraphs’ formula, compared to Frazier’s 2.9. It’s a dead heat, at least by that metric.
Thanks for noticing, Adam Kilgore.
