Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR)

Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) is a defensive metric that estimates how many runs a player saves or cost their team compared to an average player at the same position. It evaluates a fielder’s range, positioning, and ability to prevent hits from getting through or into the gap. Higher UZR values indicate better defensive performance, while negative values suggest below-average defense. UZR helps quantify defensive contributions that are difficult to measure with traditional stats like errors or fielding percentage, providing a more comprehensive view of a player's defensive value relative to their peers.