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Post by Oregon Norm on May 24, 2020 13:43:02 GMT -5
Interesting conjecture from fivethirtyeight, about changes in the value of catching if automation does take command. There are insights into the Orioles front office, also, and how they're looking at quantifying pitch calling. I'd be surprised if other teams were not doing that also. |
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Post by Chris Hatfield on May 25, 2020 20:52:44 GMT -5
A lot of draft preview stuff now, when discussing catchers, does so in the context of "this will matter less if there is an automated strike zone in the near future." "Framing" is going to become far less important in the very near future, and that is going to change how certain skills at the position will be valued, both in current pros and in amateurs.
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Post by mwgray13 on May 29, 2020 15:51:21 GMT -5
Opens the door for left handed catchers. Without framing, a catcher's responsibility is significantly reduced. Without worrying about the how an Umpire will see the zone, and upsetting pitchers on missed borderline calls, this should get more consideration. Left handed catcher would have the advantage:
- Controlling the run game (1st base is occupied more often then 3rd)
- 1st base pick off attempts
- Keeps the runner closer to 1st base (limiting advancing, 1st to 2nd,1st to 3rd, 1st to home).
- More 1st to 3rd situations than 3rd Base SB attempts (only 141 last year in MLB)
- Better position to block breaking balls from RHPs.
- Better utilizes slow foot speed and strong arm strength lefties than putting them at 1st Bast
- They can't all be pitchers
- Provides more left handed bats to play/platoon at Catcher.
- Provides more talent to the position through the league.
- Throwing behind a batter to second base has been proved to have little effect on the catcher.
Only disadvantages would be cross body tag at the plate (maybe 2 of these per year), and swivel needed to make throw to third.
I don't expect a ton of left handed catchers but at least a few to eventually don a uniform. Then again, I didn't expect Pitchers being good/good enough hitters (or vice versa) was going to be a real thing.
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Post by greekgodofpancakes on May 30, 2020 8:16:05 GMT -5
Isn't the biggest disadvantage of a left-handed catcher the fact that most batters are right handed (60+%); therefore, the catcher would have to throw over or around the batter on the majority of stolen base attempts? How has it been "proved" that throwing behind a runner has little impact on a catcher? Not trying to be snarky, but are there actual numbers to prove this? Are SB more likely to happen with left handed batters? Sorry, too many questions from me.
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Post by Chris Hatfield on May 30, 2020 14:38:56 GMT -5
Yeah I didn't think framing had anything to do with being left-handed being a disadvantage for catchers.
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Post by mwgray13 on Jun 3, 2020 13:31:24 GMT -5
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