Comments on: Looking at the defense of Yankee catchers

By: Abbey

Abbey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:44:17 +0000

I am not much of a statistician, however some of the numbers published have to do at least in terms of caught stealing, to differences in pitching styles. If anyone tries to compare Posada to Cervelli, it has to relate to the same pitcher on the mound and with a significant number of games to acquire statistical significance. Otherwise those numbers don’t have much worth.
I believe Cervelli is a much better defensive catcher than his numbers are showing this year SO FAR! Quite possible, Cervelli is having a subpar season similar to Jeter’s at the plate. What’s wrong with that? He is only 24 years old.
I feel that Cervelli is significantly better than his numbers are showing and the team pitching staff loves having him behind the plate.Certainly, there has to be a reason for it.

By: FishJam

FishJam — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:04:05 +0000

Many more factors to a catcher’s defense than CS/SB and WP/PBs.

There’s a reason why the pitchers all prefer throwing to Cervelli. He moves around more, gives a better target (Posada doesn’t even put his glove up until ball is thrown much of time) and is significantly better at receiving. Cervelli has soft hands which frame the pitches better while Posada tends to stab at the ball, often making strikes appear to be balls.

Also, other teams take notice, attempting SBs more often vs Jorge:

Jorge – 37 attempts in 300 ip – 1 attempt per 8.1 innings
Cisco – 36 attempts in 451 ip – 1 attempt per 12.5 innings

By: CN

CN — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:52:19 +0000

Can you break down each pitcher? If its all on Burnett’s high leg kick that isn’t the catchers fault.

By: brian

brian — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:16:46 +0000

Apparently the Yanks will not be able to replace Posada and will be doomed to becoming the Diamondbacks because their minor league prospects all of whom are projected to be very good players and average to below average defensively.

By: brian

brian — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:14:37 +0000

I am pretty sure the Yanks can survive with Montero behind the plate since his bat is being talked about in elite terms and Posada isn’t an elite hitter.

Out of curiosity is there anyway to add to this equation how many runs are scored when the catcher doesn’t protect home? Posada is awful here and usually stands behind the plate allowing the runner to slide safely, while I notice Cervelli is more aggressive in protecting the plate, surely this is something that can be added to the equation.

By: rbizzler

rbizzler — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:53:51 +0000

I am not so sure that Romine is as far advanced defensively as you think. I am not trying to rain on your parade but the scouting reports heading into this year were that he still had a ways to go behind the dish. The caveat being that he has the tools to be an average defender (at least).

By: jsbrendog (returns)

jsbrendog (returns) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:37:02 +0000

there is no way that montero can be worse than piazza…..

By: Pete

Pete — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:26:18 +0000

he threw down to 2nd to try to pick somebody off and joba dove out of the way, landing awkwardly on his shoulder. Two pitches later, Joba’s out until september. Of course, you wouldn’t know this, because “Joba can’t handle a starter’s workload” fits much better with the BJobber narrative

By: Chris0313

Chris0313 — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:04:05 +0000

Can Montero be any worse than Cervelli or Posada?

By: Mike HC

Mike HC — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:02:06 +0000

haha, yea. I’m laughing and shaking my head at the same time.