Article: MIN 2, CLE 0: Berrios Dominates, Sets Twins Opening Day Record for Ks

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Not sure how much of that was Castro being really good at his job back there, umpire waking up on the Twins side of the bed, or a “reputational shift” acknowledging Berrios as one of the top pitchers now in MLB and giving him the calls. Probably a little (or a lot) of each, and let’s hope it keeps on going!

[Mr. Brooks]

Slicing and dicing the data can lead to insight, but sometimes you just have to shrug and figure that SSS is getting in the way. He has 2750 career PA, and the situation you pointed out is just 140. Taking 140 PA for any player, in a variety of seemingly random ways, will usually lead to some kind of anomaly, such as a terrible inability to hit on Thursday afternoons but not nights.

 

His OPS for overall RISP in 893 PA is slightly higher than with bases empty, which is about what to expect of the league as a whole. He's good in the clutch, just like most players who make it to this level.

 

Aside from SSS, my first reaction to the stat with a runner at 3rd base and less than 2 outs was "well, maybe that's what can happen when the coach tells the pitcher, 'whatever you do, don't walk this guy.'."

Sure, but I was responding to a post claiming that he doesn't do his job in that specific situation. It may be a small sample size, but it's the entire sample size for his career in that specific situation.

[jorgenswest]

Not sure how much of that was Castro being really good at his job back there, umpire waking up on the Twins side of the bed, or a “reputational shift” acknowledging Berrios as one of the top pitchers now in MLB and giving him the calls. Probably a little (or a lot) of each, and let’s hope it keeps on going!

The Twins won the strike zone that day against a pitcher with a Cy Young reputation and a very good catcher. Let’s hope for more strike zone wins.

 

The catching trio is very encouraging to me. I am hopeful about the defense of both Garver and Astudillo approaching average with their above average bats for a catcher.

[Jim Hahn]

To me the goal shoul2d be, to get a strike called a strike. A catcher can help that by giving the umpire a good look and controlling his movements, i.e. moving smoothly etc. Stealing a strike is good, but sometimes that strike you think the catcher is stealing, actually is a strike, due to the fact the strike zone has depth.

 

The other thing about getting strikes called strikes, is some of that is on the pitcher. A pitcher isn't going get strikes called on the inside corner when the catcher is setting up on the outside or visca versa. Also when pitchers fail to establish a rhythm and take forever between pitches, that effects umpires as well. It is hard enough to keep concentration over 3 hrs. and 250 pitches without the pitcher fooling around and shaking off the catcher.

 

I think some of this pitch framing thing is a bit overblown and pitch framing stats may oversell the actual value of stealing strikes. That being said, getting in good position and properly catching the ball is a very real skill.

Edited March 30, 2019 by Jim Hahn

[Jham]

Even if it's a few ticks below league average for starters, it's still not even close to low enough to be classified as "miserable" or "a liability".

I guess some fans would rather we just put Nelson Cruz back there?

Outside of a handful at a time in the league, catchers don't hit.

I never said we shouldn't start Castro. Just that a tick below league average ops is pretty low for a starter. He's good at framing, but that doesn't make him immune from fair analysis or comparisons.

[Mr. Brooks]

I never said we shouldn't start Castro. Just that a tick below league average ops is pretty low for a starter. He's good at framing, but that doesn't make him immune from fair analysis or comparisons.

I agree. I just think, based on statistical comparison to other catchers, that calling his bat "miserable" or "a liability" isn't fair analysis.

I realize you didn't say that, but you quoted my post responding to those terms.

[Jham]

I agree. I just think, based on statistical comparison to other catchers, that calling his bat "miserable" or "a liability" isn't fair analysis.

I realize you didn't say that, but you quoted my post responding to those terms.

Also true. What a nuanced sport.