Dodgers' laser-like focus on defense might be working

Joc Pederson makes a leaping catch on a fly ball Monday, which could be partly because of the Dodgers’ use of lasers to assist players with positioning. (Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press) PHOENIX — The lasers are working. Or something is.

The Dodgers’ wholehearted embracing of advanced statistical analysis in defensive positioning — including laser range-finders to the annoyance of the New York Mets — has made them one of the most efficient defensive teams in baseball.

Using metrics that focus on the number of batted balls in play that are turned into outs, the Dodgers rank second in the National League behind only the Chicago Cubs at 72 percent. According to Baseball Prospectus’…