Why aren't catchers better hitters in baseball?

[supermike80 1,285]

You would think with all the time they spend behind the plate, the number of pitches they see, the need to be able to recognize spin on the ball in order to block a wild pitch, they would be outstanding hitters, far and away better than any other positions.

[Mike Honcho 4,034]

First, they don't have to be. If a team has a great defensive catcher, that's his primary responsibility to the team. Much like up the middle defenders, it's great if they are good hitters, but it's secondary to defense. Second, catching is extremely hard on the body, prone to injuries and if a team finds/drafts a guy as a catcher who hits extremely well, often they move him to a less demanding position to extend and get greater returns on their investment. Recently Milwaukee drafted a catcher(Brett Lawrie) who wanted to remain a catcher, but in rookie and single A, he hit the ball pretty well, was very atheletic, so they moved him to 2nd.

 

So often, guys who end up behind the plate aren't very good hitters to start. Maybe they do have an advantage in seeing pitches---and it translates in a bump in there average from .240 to .260...

[supermike80 1,285]

First, they don't have to be. If a team has a great defensive catcher, that's his primary responsibility to the team. Much like up the middle defenders, it's great if they are good hitters, but it's secondary to defense. Second, catching is extremely hard on the body, prone to injuries and if a team finds/drafts a guy as a catcher who hits extremely well, often they move him to a less demanding position to extend and get greater returns on their investment. Recently Milwaukee drafted a catcher(Brett Lawrie) who wanted to remain a catcher, but in rookie and single A, he hit the ball pretty well, was very atheletic, so they moved him to 2nd.

 

So often, guys who end up behind the plate aren't very good hitters to start. Maybe they do have an advantage in seeing pitches---and it translates in a bump in there average from .240 to .260...

 

Excellent points....thank you.

[Drizzay 645]

Because not every catcher is Joe Mauer.

[Riddlen 1]

havent you ever seen every baseball movie ever made? they are always old and fat with bad knees.

[Mungwater 588]

havent you ever seen every baseball movie ever made? they are always old and fat with bad knees.

 

or in our case, geovanny soto is fat because the munchies

[GettnHuge 1]

because when young the really good hitters were sorted out into other positions, specially with less wear and tear.

the lesser hitters needed to stay on the team so they practiced a position that nobody else wanted to play. they spend

all their time studying other hitters while the hitters spend all their time studying opposing pitchers.

 

I guess it's like saying a QB is so good at throwing the ball, so he should be greta at catching it.

or a fg kicker should be greta on kickoff returns.

[NorthernVike 2,080]

Because not every catcher is Joe Mauer.

[kilroy69 994]

Ask the Indians. They had their future superstar catcher carlos sooooo smooth santana knocked out on a collision at home. its not the fact that they CAN'T diagnose a pitch it the fact that after taking a beating every single day you play the game its hard to hit the ball too. Mauer will end up at first in order to keep in the game. Posey already plays at first sometimes and will end up there sooner or later. The catcher is not really expected to do that much on offense ESPECIALLY if they are really good at handling a staff.

[GettnHuge 1]

most consecutive games caught: 312

in 130 years of baseball a catcher has caught 90% of the seasons' games 123 times.

(that's 123 out of like 10,000)

8 times did a catcher field every game of the season (tho most were well before 1900)

[Me_2006 14]

most consecutive games caught: 312

in 130 years of baseball a catcher has caught 90% of the seasons' games 123 times.

(that's 123 out of like 10,000)

8 times did a catcher field every game of the season (tho most were well before 1900)

Good stats. I'm actually surprised that it's even that high though. 100 degrees. Retarded humidity. A focking mask and chest protector. Squatting. For 3 hours. Every day. For 8 months.

 

 

Hit? They're lucky he can stand upright.

[shotsup 832]

Mike Piazza disagrees with you

[naomi 343]

words

[supermike80 1,285]

because when young the really good hitters were sorted out into other positions, specially with less wear and tear.

the lesser hitters needed to stay on the team so they practiced a position that nobody else wanted to play. they spend

all their time studying other hitters while the hitters spend all their time studying opposing pitchers.

 

I guess it's like saying a QB is so good at throwing the ball, so he should be greta at catching it.

or a fg kicker should be greta on kickoff returns.

 

Good points, however your comparisons are not.

[GettnHuge 1]

Good points, however your comparisons are not.

 

Hey that's true, I guess I had it backwards. Since a catcher is getting the ball thrown to him. So a wide receiver should be

a pretty good passer too.

[edjr 5,564]

Because not every catcher is Joe Mauer.

 

A guy getting paid 2.5 million per home run?

 

23 million for 9 home runs and 75 RBI? Yeah, what a steal!

[kutulu 1,545]

Their buttholes are so sore.

[parrot 789]

A guy getting paid 2.5 million per home run?

 

23 million for 9 home runs and 75 RBI? Yeah, what a steal!

 

Ichiro only had 6 home runs and 43 RBI. He must be a terrible hitter.

[edjr 5,564]

Ichiro only had 6 home runs and 43 RBI. He must be a terrible hitter.

 

Oh, well that settles it.

 

I wasn't aware they were paying Mauer to be a lead off hitter, here I was thinking he hit 3rd in the lineup.

[edjr 5,564]

Players who hit more home runs than Joe Mauer last year.

 

Marco Scutaro

Kurt Suzuki

Jose Lopez

Kendry Morales (in 51 games)

Alberto Callaspo

 

 

Jed Freakin Lowrey had 9 HR (171 AB)

[parrot 789]

Oh, well that settles it.

 

I wasn't aware they were paying Mauer to be a lead off hitter, here I was thinking he hit 3rd in the lineup.

 

So what you saying is that the Twins may be using him wrong, not that he's not a good hitter. HTH.

[RicemanX 20]

BUSTER POSEY

[edjr 5,564]

So what you saying is that the Twins may be using him wrong, not that he's not a good hitter. HTH.

 

he is grossly overpaid.. enjoy

 

Ichiro doesn't make 23 million to hit singles. hth

[tikigods 76]

Catchers get better with age. The spend more time working with pitchers than working on their hitting. They usually peak around 27.

[kilroy69 994]

he is grossly overpaid.. enjoy

 

 

You could argue that if he were any position player other than catcher. The fact is that he is at the top of the best 5 out there.If he didn't give the twinks a hometown discount he would be on the yanks right now with a much bigger contract. He is what catchers want to be like.

 

While its true that he doesn't have a lot of home runs he is not and never was intended to be a hr hitter. He doesn't strike out. Thats his shtick. First in average among catchers, 2nd in walks, 1st in doubles, 1st in runs scored, 1st in hits, 3rd in rbi and only 4 behind the leader in that category and he handles the staff well. So while he is not putting up numbers that would warrant a huge contract at any other position......as a catcher he's as good as you get.

[Drizzay 645]

You could argue that if he were any position player other than catcher. The fact is that he is at the top of the best 5 out there.If he didn't give the twinks a hometown discount he would be on the yanks right now with a much bigger contract. He is what catchers want to be like.

 

While its true that he doesn't have a lot of home runs he is not and never was intended to be a hr hitter. He doesn't strike out. Thats his shtick. First in average among catchers, 2nd in walks, 1st in doubles, 1st in runs scored, 1st in hits, 3rd in rbi and only 4 behind the leader in that category and he handles the staff well. So while he is not putting up numbers that would warrant a huge contract at any other position......as a catcher he's as good as you get.

 

And that is coming from a Tiger's fan.

[kilroy69 994]

And that is coming from a Tiger's fan.

hell yea...... its painful to watch laird try to bat.

[edjr 5,564]

You could argue that if he were any position player other than catcher. The fact is that he is at the top of the best 5 out there.If he didn't give the twinks a hometown discount he would be on the yanks right now with a much bigger contract. He is what catchers want to be like.

 

While its true that he doesn't have a lot of home runs he is not and never was intended to be a hr hitter. He doesn't strike out. Thats his shtick. First in average among catchers, 2nd in walks, 1st in doubles, 1st in runs scored, 1st in hits, 3rd in rbi and only 4 behind the leader in that category and he handles the staff well. So while he is not putting up numbers that would warrant a huge contract at any other position......as a catcher he's as good as you get.

 

Spin it any way you want Mr. O'reilly. The boy ain't worth 23 mil per. and especially seeing he is on a cheap ass team.

[kilroy69 994]

Spin it any way you want Mr. O'reilly. The boy ain't worth 23 mil per. and especially seeing he is on a cheap ass team.

Sooo the best player at his position is not worth the most? Interesting.

[SUXBNME 1,335]

Good points, however your comparisons are not.

prolly the dumbest comparisons that I have ever heard.

[edjr 5,564]

Sooo the best player at his position is not worth the most? Interesting.

 

 

Worth the most at his position for being the best. yes.

 

Worth 23 million per season. Absolutely not.

[GettnHuge 1]

 

Worth the most at his position for being the best. yes.

 

Worth 23 million per season. Absolutely not.

 

pure jealousy

[kilroy69 994]

 

Worth the most at his position for being the best. yes.

 

Worth 23 million per season. Absolutely not.

dude, he is not even playing at market value. Had he actually WANTED to break the bank for a catcher he could have easily.

[edjr 5,564]

dude, he is not even playing at market value. Had he actually WANTED to break the bank for a catcher he could have easily.

 

what does that have to do with the price of bananas in Alaska?

[kilroy69 994]

what does that have to do with the price of bananas in Alaska?

you are making a big deal out of what you claim to be overpaying the best player at the most important position in baseball and I am saying that not only is he not overpaid but if he had went on the market he could have very possibly broke the bank as far as record contracts go.

[cbfalcon 824]

because mexicans are only good at yardwork?

 

[JTB 52]

Players who hit more home runs than Joe Mauer last year.

 

Marco Scutaro

Jed Freakin Lowrey had 9 HR (171 AB)

 

 

Played with Marco in the minors with CLeveland. Wasn't even a starter. I'm sure there was some "growing up" he did.

[edjr 5,564]

Played with Marco in the minors with CLeveland. Wasn't even a starter. I'm sure there was some "growing up" he did.

 

He's still a midget with no hair