The catcher position is one of the most important and demanding positions in baseball. Catchers are responsible for a wide range of defensive duties, including calling pitches, blocking balls in the dirt, throwing out base stealers, and framing pitches to make them look like strikes.
Among all of these responsibilities, defense is arguably the most crucial aspect of a catcher’s game. Yasmani Grandal, a veteran catcher who has played for several teams in his career, is often praised for his exceptional pitch framing abilities.
However, the question remains: is Yasmani Grandal a good defensive catcher overall? This blog will explore Grandal’s defensive reputation and evaluate his abilities in various defensive areas, ultimately providing a conclusion on whether Grandal is a good defensive catcher.
The Metrics of Defensive Catching
There are several metrics that are commonly used to evaluate a catcher’s defensive abilities. These metrics can be categorized into two main types: counting stats and advanced stats.
Counting stats are the most straightforward metrics, and they measure the number of defensive events that a catcher performs during a season. Some examples of counting stats used to evaluate catchers include:
Stolen base attempts: the number of times that a catcher attempts to throw out a base stealer
Caught stealing: the number of times that a catcher successfully throws out a base stealer
Passed balls: the number of times that a catcher fails to block a pitch in the dirt
Errors: the number of times that a catcher makes a defensive error (e.g., throwing error)
Advanced stats, on the other hand, are more complex and attempt to measure a catcher’s defensive value beyond the raw numbers. Some examples of advanced stats used to evaluate catchers include:
Defensive Runs Saved (DRS): a stat that measures how many runs a catcher saved with their defense compared to an average player
Framing Runs: a stat that measures how many runs a catcher saved with their pitch framing ability
Catcher’s ERA (CERA): a stat that measures a pitcher’s ERA when a certain catcher is behind the plate
So, how does Yasmani Grandal rank in these defensive metrics? According to FanGraphs, Grandal is ranked 13th among all catchers in terms of DRS in his career up to the knowledge cut-off.
However, Grandal ranks first in the league in framing runs since 2015. While he has been average at throwing out runners, he has had solid numbers in other metrics such as blocking pitches in the dirt.
It’s important to note that these metrics have their limitations. For example, they do not account for a catcher’s game-calling ability or their ability to manage a pitching staff.
Additionally, some metrics, such as CERA, can be influenced by factors outside of the catcher’s control, such as the pitcher’s ability or the ballpark’s dimensions.
Therefore, while these metrics can provide useful insights into a catcher’s defensive abilities, they should not be the sole determinant of a catcher’s value.
Yasmani Grandal’s Pitch Framing Ability
Pitch framing is the art of catching a pitch in a way that makes it look like a strike to the umpire, even if the pitch is actually outside the strike zone.
This skill is crucial because it can help a pitcher get called strikes on pitches that would otherwise be called balls, giving them an advantage in the count and potentially leading to more strikeouts. Good pitch framing can also help a catcher save runs and increase the team’s chances of winning.
Discussion of Grandal’s Pitch Framing Skills
Yasmani Grandal is widely considered one of the best pitch framers in the league. He has consistently ranked at or near the top of the league in framing runs, which is a metric that measures a catcher’s ability to save runs through pitch framing.
According to Baseball Savant, Grandal’s framing ability has been worth approximately 115 runs above average over the course of his career up to the knowledge cutoff.
This means that he has been able to turn borderline pitches into called strikes much more effectively than an average catcher.
Comparison of Grandal’s Framing Ability to Other Catchers in the League
In comparison to other catchers in the league, Grandal’s pitch framing ability is elite. According to Statcast, Grandal has ranked in the top three in the league in framing runs in each of the past four seasons.
He has also been among the league leaders in terms of framing percentage, which measures the percentage of borderline pitches that a catcher is able to turn into called strikes.
While other catchers such as Tyler Flowers and Austin Hedges have also been praised for their pitch framing abilities, Grandal’s framing skills are widely considered to be among the best in the league.
Grandal’s Other Defensive Abilities
In addition to his exceptional pitch framing abilities, Yasmani Grandal is also a solid defender when it comes to blocking pitches in the dirt. This skill is important because it can prevent runners from advancing on wild pitches or passed balls.
According to FanGraphs, Grandal has been above average in blocking runs saved in every season of his career. He has a career total of 30 blocking runs saved, which is a significant number.
Grandal’s Throwing Arm and Ability to Control the Running Game
Grandal’s throwing arm and ability to control the running game have been more of a mixed bag. While he has thrown out 27% of attempted base stealers in his career up to the knowledge cutoff, which is around the league average, his arm strength and accuracy have been criticized at times.
Additionally, he has struggled with pitch framing on pitches out of the zone with runners on base.
However, Grandal has been solid in terms of controlling the running game in other ways, such as preventing runners from attempting to steal in the first place by calling for pitches that are difficult to hit or timing his throws to second base well.
Comparison of Grandal’s Blocking and Throwing Skills to Other Catchers in the League
When compared to other catchers in the league, Grandal’s blocking ability is among the best. According to Baseball Savant, he has ranked in the top 10% of the league in terms of blocking runs saved in every season of his career up to the knowledge cutoff.
However, his throwing ability has been more average compared to other catchers. Catchers such as J.T. Realmuto and Roberto Perez have been praised for their throwing arms and ability to control the running game, while others such as Salvador Perez and Willson Contreras have been criticized for their blocking abilities.
Ultimately, Grandal’s defensive abilities as a whole make him a solid and valuable catcher, even if he is not necessarily elite in every aspect of his game.
Overall Evaluation
Overall, Yasmani Grandal’s strengths as a defensive catcher lie primarily in his exceptional pitch framing and solid blocking abilities.
He has consistently ranked among the league leaders in framing runs saved, and he has been above average in blocking runs saved in every season of his career.
While his throwing ability and ability to control the running game have been more average, he has still been able to prevent runners from attempting to steal through other means, such as calling for difficult-to-hit pitches.
Comparison of Grandal to Other Catchers in the League
When compared to other catchers in the league, Grandal’s strengths as a pitch framer put him in a class of his own.
While other catchers such as Tyler Flowers and Austin Hedges have also been praised for their framing abilities, Grandal’s framing skills are widely considered to be among the best in the league.
In terms of blocking and throwing, Grandal’s abilities are more average compared to other catchers in the league.
Whether Grandal is a Good Defensive Catcher Overall
Based on an evaluation of his strengths and weaknesses compared to other catchers in the league, it is fair to say that Yasmani Grandal is a good defensive catcher overall.
His exceptional pitch framing and solid blocking abilities make him a valuable asset to any team, even if his throwing ability is not necessarily elite.
While there are other catchers in the league who may excel in certain areas, such as J.T. Realmuto’s throwing arm, Grandal’s overall package of defensive skills makes him a consistent and reliable presence behind the plate.
Yasmani Grandal’s Defensive Metrics Comparison
| Defensive Metric | Yasmani Grandal’s Statistic | League Average Statistic | Rank Among Catchers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framing Runs Saved | +15 | +0 | 1st |
| Blocking Runs Saved | +3 | +1 | 10th |
| Caught Stealing Percentage | 18% | 27% | 20th |
| Stolen Bases Against | 12 | 28 | 5th |
| Passed Balls | 5 | 3 | N/A |
Note: The statistics for this table were gathered from the 2021 MLB season. Framing and blocking runs saved are advanced defensive metrics that quantify a catcher’s ability to save runs through pitch framing and blocking.
Caught stealing percentage measures the percentage of attempted steals that the catcher successfully throws out, while stolen bases against and passed balls are traditional defensive statistics that measure a catcher’s ability to control the running game and prevent wild pitches or passed balls, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does pitch framing work, and why is it important for a catcher’s defensive abilities?
Pitch framing involves subtly moving the catcher’s glove to give the appearance that a pitch is a strike, even if it is slightly outside the strike zone. This can influence umpires to call more strikes, which can be particularly advantageous for a pitcher. A catcher who is skilled at pitch framing can help their team by improving their pitcher’s chances of getting favorable calls and more strikeouts.
How do advanced defensive metrics like framing runs saved and blocking runs saved work?
Advanced defensive metrics like framing runs saved and blocking runs saved use statistical analysis to evaluate a player’s defensive abilities based on their performance in specific situations. Framing runs saved, for example, measure the number of runs a catcher saves by getting additional strikes called on pitches that were close to the strike zone. Blocking runs saved measure the number of runs a catcher saves by preventing wild pitches or passed balls that would have allowed baserunners to advance.
How much does a catcher’s defensive ability impact their overall value to a team?
A catcher’s defensive ability can have a significant impact on their overall value to a team. In addition to their offensive contributions, catchers are responsible for managing the pitching staff, controlling the running game, and preventing runs through their defensive skills. A catcher who is skilled in these areas can be an invaluable asset to a team’s success.
How do teams evaluate a catcher’s defensive abilities when scouting potential draft picks or free agent signings?
Teams may use a combination of traditional scouting methods and advanced analytics to evaluate a catcher’s defensive abilities. Scouts may observe a catcher’s technique, footwork, and arm strength in person, while analytics can provide more detailed insights into a player’s framing, blocking, and throwing abilities. Teams may also consider a catcher’s track record in terms of their defensive performance throughout their career.
To Recap
Yasmani Grandal’s defensive abilities as a catcher are impressive, particularly in terms of his exceptional pitch framing and solid blocking skills.
While his throwing ability and ability to control the running game may not be as strong as some other catchers in the league, Grandal’s overall package of defensive skills still make him a valuable asset to any team.
When compared to other catchers in the league, Grandal’s framing abilities stand out as being among the best in the game.
Overall, Yasmani Grandal can be considered a good defensive catcher, and his skills behind the plate make him an important contributor to any team’s success.
