Best in the Game Series, Part 4: Catchers

[NAHSTE]

Pretty much a two horse race ...

 

[Goober]

You didn't even include Jason Kendall!?!? Rewind yourself mother fucker!

 

[NAHSTE]

You didn't even include Jason Kendall!?!? Rewind yourself mother fucker!

I guess I just want to stay in the minors all fucking year.

 

[Rudi]

Gotta go with Mauer. He's on the cover of the best baseball game out there. :shifty:

 

[Chrispy]

Mauer

 

[strahanfan92]

Cards got 99 problems and yadier is none, hit me!

 

[Lanteri]

Don't know about you, but I don't see a second horse...

Mauer.

 

[NAHSTE]

Don't know about you, but I don't see a second horse...

Mauer.

Well I didn't vote for Mac either, but there's something to be said for a catcher with a career .289/.360/.489 line. Not to mention he hit twice as many homers last year and has 40 more HR in the same amount of years. Not to take anything from Mauer, he's obviously #1, but McCann is a close second.

 

[Primetime]

I love McCann, and it's still a one horse race for me. McCann is easily #2 for me, but Mauer is on a whole other level.

 

[Lanteri]

Well I didn't vote for Mac either, but there's something to be said for a catcher with a career .289/.360/.489 line. Not to mention he hit twice as many homers last year and has 40 more HR in the same amount of years. Not to take anything from Mauer, he's obviously #1, but McCann is a close second.

And yet, Mauer still outslugged McCann .469 to .453. :smug:

Oh, and he's far superior defensively too.

McCann would probably be the leader of the second tier, but he's not anywhere near the same level as Mauer. Much like the SP thread with it being Roy and Felix and then the rest of the world.

 

[NAHSTE]

And yet, Mauer still outslugged McCann .469 to .453. :smug:

Oh, and he's far superior defensively too.

McCann would probably be the leader of the second tier, but he's not anywhere near the same level as Mauer. Much like the SP thread with it being Roy and Felix and then the rest of the world.

Please explain.

 

[Lanteri]

Please explain.

Instead of trying to give you cliffs, I'll just suggest this article. While the premise is asking whether Mauer is a good defensive catcher, it has some extremely good analysis and stats for all active catchers. It's a really good read.

Is Joe Mauer a good defensive catcher? - Twinkie Town

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Instead of trying to give you cliffs, I'll just suggest this article. While the premise is asking whether Mauer is a good defensive catcher, it has some extremely good analysis and stats for all active catchers. It's a really good read.

Is Joe Mauer a good defensive catcher? - Twinkie Town

Great read, as there are certainly a lot of parts that go into being a catcher. Just to simplify things, preventing stolen bases, footwork and positioning behind the plate and calling a game/working with a pitching staff. I've read a similar article from someone on Fangraphs as well, so its nice to see another one.

That being said, my list would be Mauer at the top for sure. The second tier is a tie between McCann and Yadier Molina. McCann is the better hitter by far, but Molina is considered the best defensive catcher by many.

 

[NAHSTE]

Great read, as there are certainly a lot of parts that go into being a catcher. Just to simplify things, preventing stolen bases, footwork and positioning behind the plate and calling a game/working with a pitching staff. I've read a similar article from someone on Fangraphs as well, so its nice to see another one.

That being said, my list would be Mauer at the top for sure. The second tier is a tie between McCann and Yadier Molina. McCann is the better hitter by far, but Molina is considered the best defensive catcher by many.

Huh, you'd think that if McCann had a better caught stealing % for the last two seasons and handled one of the league's best staffs, he'd have a bit better reputation as a catcher.

I'm not saying he is better behind the dish than Mauer, but I don't think his reputation as a poor defensive catcher is warranted.

Very good read though, thanks for the link Lan.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Huh, you'd think that if McCann had a better caught stealing % for the last two seasons and caught one of the league's best staffs, he'd have a bit better reputation as a catcher.

I'm not saying he is better behind the dish than Mauer, but I don't think his reputation as a poor defensive catcher is warranted.

Very good read though, thanks for the link Lan.

I'm not saying he's terrible either. McCann is very good behind the plate, but, like Mauer, his defensive reputation is preceded by his offensive game.

 

[FirstTimer]

The lack of respect fo V-Mart in this thread is troubling.

I know the guy isn't great defensivley but you can't ignore career averages hitting of:

.300 Avg
21 HR's
103 RBI's
.369 OBP
.469 SLG

I would say:
Mauer

McCann just barely ahead of V-Mart
Then Posey.

 

[Leftwich]

Mauer and it isn't even fucking close.

 

[Anthony]

Mauer
Posey

:-O

 

[manchild24]

Love Maurer, but Posey is the real deal for years to come.
batting .311 with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs in 81 games from July 1 forward, numbers that ranked him third, first and first among catchers during that time. In terms of full-season potential, that's a .300-30-100 hitting catcher, a Mike Piazza/Joe Mauer/Victor Martinez type with sights set on the No. 1 Player Rater spot at his position

 

[trojan49er]

For right now, its Mauer, give Posey another year or two and this could be a totally different discussion