They are definitely higher than most though I think most of the average defense comments are trying to project him as a shortstop rather than a second baseman.
For instance I think the Kingery scouting reports always had a better defensive value (60 or 65) on defense than the ones that JP Crawford got (more like 55). But Crawford was evaluated as a SS. In truth he has more defensive talent in the middle infield than Kingery. Just a lower grade with the position difference.
Clearly there is a diversity of opinion on Madrigal. I wonder if talent evaluators are putting less value on defense now when they project players. In our new reality of 3-outcome baseball (HR, K, BB) there are fewer balls in play and less need for defense. Helps explain why the Phillies seem OK with Hoskins and Kingery at positions where they are not great. Madrigal may be helped by the relatively certainty people see in his offense and the lack of importance they place on high quality defense.
