Defensive Runs Saved
In baseball statistics, defensive runs saved measures the number of runs a player saved or cost his team on defense relative to an average player. Any positive number is above average, and the best fielders typically have a DRS figure of 15 to 20 for a season. The statistic was developed by Baseball Info Solutions and the data used in calculating it first became available for Major League Baseball in 2003.
Definition
is the statistic that has traditionally been used to measure defensive ability, but it fails to account for a fielder's defensive range. Fielders who can cover a large area on defense are able to make plays that most players would not have the chance to make. DRS was created to take range into account when measuring a player's defensive ability.In calculating DRS, points are either added or subtracted to a fielder's rating depending on whether or not they make a play on a ball that is hit towards them. For example, if a ball hit to the center fielder is expected to be caught 30 percent of the time, the fielder will lose.3 points if he does not catch it, or will gain.7 points if he does catch it. Each player's total points are later adjusted based on league averages, both with regard to average defensive performance, and with regard to how many runs a "point" equates to.
Example
The table below shows a comparison between the top 10 shortstops in terms of fielding percentage and the top 10 shortstops in terms of defensive runs saved from 2003 to 2025 in MLB. Only three players, Andeltron Simmons, J. J. Hardy, and Trevor Story, are on both lists, showing that there is a difference in what the two statistics measure.| Rank | Defensive runs saved | Fielding percentage |
| 1. | Andrelton Simmons | Jimmy Rollins |
| 2. | Adam Everett | J. J. Hardy |
| 3. | Jack Wilson | Carlos Correa |
| 4. | Brendan Ryan | Masyn Wynn |
| 5. | Troy Tulowitzki | Andrelton Simmons |
| 6. | J. J. Hardy | Francisco Lindor |
| 7. | Clint Barmes | Jhonny Peralta |
| 8. | Nick Ahmed | Dansby Swanson |
| 9. | Trevor Story | Xander Bogaerts |
| 10. | Cesar Izturis | David Eckstein |
Sources: ,
Leaders
DRS statistics are only available starting in the 2003 MLB season. Thus, players of earlier eras who were noted for the defensive skills—such as third baseman Brooks Robinson and shortstop Ozzie Smith—were not evaluated in this manner. Baseball Reference uses DRS as part of its Wins Above Replacement statistic, with older seasons using Total Zone Rating.There is some variation in DRS as presented on baseball statistics websites—for example, Baseball Reference credits Adrián Beltré with 205 DRS for his career, while FanGraphs credits him with 200. The below figures are from FanGraphs.