Catcher impact

[Mark17]

So much of it is subjective. I think the best we have, historically, is the Gold Glove award. And of course that can't possibly cover all the intangibles.

[Mike D.]

Originally Posted by Mark17

So much of it is subjective. I think the best we have, historically, is the Gold Glove award. And of course that can't possibly cover all the intangibles.

And especially historically, the Gold Glove award is reputational, or often connected with a big offensive season...so it's more of a "guidepost" than a "statistical measure".

It's also a bit dependent on the rest of the league, like Rookie of the Year. You could have an amazing rookie year and NOT win rookie of the year because someone else had a better year. You can win ROY with a very mediocre season because nobody does better.

If there are three great defensive shortstops in one league, and the 4th best just happens to be in the other league...the first and fourth best defensive shortstops win the GG.

[Casey2296]

I was always impressed with the way Buster Posey handled so many different types of Giants pitchers over the years.

Three no-hitters are another line on Posey’s impressive resume, which includes a Rookie of the Year Award, MVP, three World Series titles, seven All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers, a Gold Glove and a batting title. Cain’s perfect game was the first, and thus far only, in the storied history of the Giants franchise

[packs]

MLB has a pitch framing stat and there is a league leader but it doesn't appear on baseball reference:

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/catch...tcher&sort=4,1

[tschock]

Originally Posted by Mark17

So much of it is subjective. I think the best we have, historically, is the Gold Glove award. And of course that can't possibly cover all the intangibles.

Definitely subjective, but another way to 'measure' might be how they fare in their post catching career. How good are/were they as managers or coaches?

Catchers generally are the best position players that turn into managers. I believe it has a lot to do with much of the 'unmeasurable' things they need to address during the game. Some is instinctive, some is people skills, some may be related to being the only position that sees the entire field (and maybe has a better 'view' as to how the game is unfolding), and I'm sure a bunch of other 'intangibles' as well.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by tschock

Definitely subjective, but another way to 'measure' might be how they fare in their post catching career. How good are/were they as managers or coaches?

Catchers generally are the best position players that turn into managers. I believe it has a lot to do with much of the 'unmeasurable' things they need to address during the game. Some is instinctive, some is people skills, some may be related to being the only position that sees the entire field (and maybe has a better 'view' as to how the game is unfolding), and I'm sure a bunch of other 'intangibles' as well.

Also, being good managers might have an awful lot to do with maybe knowing how to handle pitchers better than anyone else.

[packs]

I don't know about that. I can think of two catchers who were pretty poor handlers of pitchers: Joe Torre and Joe Girardi. Notorious for killing arms.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't know about that. I can think of two catchers who were pretty poor handlers of pitchers: Joe Torre and Joe Girardi. Notorious for killing arms.

I meant that more in terms of their egos and moods, etc., since they had to hang out and work directly with pitchers all the time while catching. Not necessarily just about how they handled their pitch selections and pitch counts.

[packs]

Ah. I would agree with that. They also tend to spend a lot of time in organized ball one or another. Lots of time to soak it in.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by packs

Ah. I would agree with that. They also tend to spend a lot of time in organized ball one or another. Lots of time to soak it in.

Absolutely. And becasue of their interaction with the pitchers, they spend a lot more time watching and analyzing opposing team players and how they bat and so on. I doubt any other position players do anything at all like that.