Kevin Baxter’s baseball rankings

The best pitching staff or the most potent offense can be undone by a defense that can’t catch the ball. But teams that don’t stand out on the mound or at the plate can be competitive if they are stout in the field. Staff writer Kevin Baxter ranks the 10 best and worst defensive teams in the major leagues this season. (Statistics through Friday’s games.)

All you need is glove

1. Philadelphia; Phillies have the fewest errors (61) and have given up the fewest unearned runs (25) in the majors. Shane Victorino, a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field, hasn’t made an error all season.

2. Boston; Adrian Gonzalez and Dustin Pedroia have combined to make just eight errors on the right side of the infield. Jacoby Ellsbury is third among AL center fielders in putouts and hasn’t made an error.

3. Tampa Bay; The Rays have the fewest errors (66) in the American League and have given up the fewest unearned runs. Third baseman Evan Longoria is the only Ray with more than 10 errors.

4. Chicago White Sox; Fourteen teams have had more chances in the field, but the White Sox have made the plays on the balls they’ve gotten to, leading the AL in fielding percentage (.987).

5. Colorado; Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki leads the league in chances and the majors in putouts, yet he has just five errors. He’s also turned more double plays than any player at his position.

6. Dodgers; Something to add to Matt Kemp’s most-valuable-player resume: He leads National League center fielders with 11 assists.

7. Atlanta; The Braves were 27th in fielding percentage in 2010. This year they’re tied for fifth despite a baseball-worst 15 errors from second baseman Dan Uggla.

8. Kansas City; Shortstop Alcides Escobar is a human highlight reel who leads the AL in putouts and assists. Alex Gordon (20), Melky Cabrera (12) and Jeff Francoeur (15) have combined for 47 outfield assists.

9. Arizona; Gerardo Parra leads NL left fielders with 11 assists and hasn’t made an error. Catcher Miguel Montero has thrown out nearly 40% of runners attempting to steal.

10. Angels; Nearly one-third of the Angels’ errors have come at first and third bases. The outfield may be baseball’s best and shortstop Erick Aybar can be spectacular.

To err is . . . not good

1. Chicago Cubs; They have 120 errors, 17 more than the next-worst team in the National League, the Houston Astros.

2. Oakland; With its pitching staff, where would the A’s be if the AL’s worst fielding team hadn’t made 115 errors and allowed an MLB-high 80 unearned runs?

3. Minnesota; With 104 already, the Twins are on pace for the most errors by a Minnesota team in a quarter-century. They’ve led to 72 unearned runs.

4. Texas; The first-place Rangers rank 28th in baseball in fielding percentage (.980) and errors (107). Shortstop Elvis Andrus has 25 errors.

5. New York Mets; Among outfielders, only Arizona’s Justin Upton has more errors than the Mets’ Angel Pagan, who has 10. Jose Reyes’ .967 fielding percentage is better than just four regular shortstops.

6. Pittsburgh; Two years ago, with infield guru Perry Hill on staff, the Pirates were the best-fielding team in baseball. Last year they were the worst; this summer, not much better.

7. Houston; No one player has fielded terribly — Clint Barmes and Chris Johnson share the team lead with 12 errors apiece — yet the Astros have the second-worst fielding percentage in the NL.

8. Milwaukee; The Brewers’ starting infield has combined for 61 errors. The misnamed Prince Fielder has 14, and Casey McGehee tops NL third basemen with 18.

9. San Francisco; The Giants made only 73 errors last season, tying for baseball’s best fielding percentage en route to a World Series triumph. This year, they’re on pace for 110 and an October at home.

10. Baltimore; The Orioles deserve a spot in the bottom 10 for third baseman Mark Reynolds alone. He leads baseball with 26 errors and is the only regular with a fielding percentage below .900.