San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Shortstops In Franchise History

By Daniel Sperry

Jan 20, 2017

Aug 15, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (35) dives for a ground ball single hit by Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman David Freese (not pictured) at AT&T Park the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants 8 to 5. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

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May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ball and glove on the field during batting practice prior MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays the at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Art Fletcher, 1909-1920, 42.2 WAR

Fletcher benefits from a significant amount of seasons with the Giants. Unlike others, there were no interruptions in his years with the Giants. Fletcher spent 12 years with the Giants, accruing 1,500+ hits. At first glance, his numbers make you wonder how he grabbed a 42.2 War in his 12 seasons with the Giants. Well, the main answer is his defense.

Fletcher really came into his own as a fielder, earning a 25.9 defensive WAR over his 12 seasons with the Giants. Again, weirdly enough, his career fielding percentage was only .938. At first glance, that sounds bad. But he placed in the top five in league fielding percentage in the NL in nine seasons. Fletcher’s WAR might just have been simply been a product of the level of “replacement” factored into the equation.

Fletcher’s career average was a good .275, but he never had the power numbers, with a career slugging percentage below .400. Ultimately, he got on base at a high-clip and had 670 RBI over his 12 seasons with the Giants. Fletcher made it to four world series with the Giants, but never won a ring. A good Giant, with plenty of good numbers over good years. However, this would be the hypothetical place for Brandon Crawford if he continued his average WAR over the rest of his contract.