The issue nick is talking about, IMO, is more that minor league defensive abilities are WAY over-analyzed. For me, the best explanation is that scouts aren't watching on a daily basis which is the only really good way to get a feel for a guy's abilities. You can't pull up the player's numbers like you can with BB rates, OPS, strikeouts, etc. Defensive stats aren't even available to the same degree much less the fact that when they are they are flakey at best. I don't put much of any stock into a minor league player's defensive profile. Hell, Delmon Young was, at one point, supposed to be a future gold glover. Delmon Young!