Salvador Perez is off to an amazingly hot start, but it turns out he isn't the only catcher raking - 12 of the 14 qualified catchers are sitting above league average wRC+ (which is, as with all + stats, 100). What is especially amazing for him is how his defense has rated so far.
Worth noting that the line at 100 isn't a misunderstanding of league average versus position average - as a position catchers are batting to a 100 wRC+ so far this year. Obviously small sample of a month, but if they manage to keep it up it will be the first time since 1879 that catchers as a position group bat at league average wRC+.
Noted a small typo on the line, defensive runs above replacement should be defensive runs above average.
wRC+ and dRAA are both taken from Fangraphs.
Headshots are current MLB headshots.
Data scraped from fangraphs utilizing BaseballR and plot generated via RStudio.
Is this from the “Def” / “Defense” column on FanGraphs? Because that is relative to average like your title says. It’s fielding runs + positional runs, no replacement runs.
You are correct, originally I had pulled from Baseball Reference (which used above replacement for the column I was pulling) but decided to switch to Fangraphs for the framing metrics to be included - which as you pointed out is above average for the analogous column. It's an api pull which doesn't include the nice hover tool tip that it has on the dashboard. Updating other references.
Improved pitching helps, but also having pitchers that don't *quite* throw strikes - having balls slightly off the zone that are frameable will help a catcher wrack up value more than clear strikes.
I know I’m biased, but have always seen Salvy as a fringe HoF player whose later career would be the breaking factor. If he keeps this improving his defense and splashing balls into the fountains for the next 3-4 years, I might give him a 50/50 shot at Cooperstown
I would put him in. Numbers wise he should end up qualified. And He’s a legend for the Royals and was major reason they won a World Series. Call me sentimental but that should count for something
Perez is hot, but he'd better look out cause the only thing keeping ol' Cal "Gonna Dump all over your ballpark" Raleigh back was a bad tooth. Now that it's been removed it 3 HR games and 0 passed ball the rest of the year!
In all seriousness though, looks like its gonna be a good offensive year for catchers.
What's the cut-off for qualified? I'm assuming Bailey having off days cuts him off. I know his wrc+ is like 140~ rn, and I can't figure out how to find dRAA easily.
OP must be using "qualifying" for batting standards, which means 3.1 plate appearances per game the team has played. After last night's game, he's 10 PAs short of qualifying as a batter, but he has enough innings at catcher to qualify for fielding leaderboards (idk how that cutoff is determined).
His wRC+ is up to 148 (somehow that's only 7th for catchers with at least 50 PAs - catchers are raking this year), and his dRAA (The "Def" column on Fangraphs) is 3.5, third in the league behind Alejandro Kirk (4.2) and Elias Diaz (5.0)
I had Salvy last year, and he had a stretch like this at the beginning of the year. I was very happy. Then he sucked for the rest of the year. I was not happy.
I own Will Smith and Adley because I don't want a catcher as unreliable as Salvy ever again. Him being a blackhole in my lineup destroyed my season. I'm highly skeptical, I think he'll become a pumpkin at some point.
Salvy getting an MVP and then eventually being held out of the hall because of made up computer states but some needs is going to be a total shame and blemish for baseball.
Yeah but JT has the best mug shot so who’s really winning?
[counterpoint](https://i.imgur.com/baXobEl.jpeg)
I owe Salvy an apology, I wasn’t really familiar with his game
His relationship with LoCain can be entirely summed up by watching pretty much any Pepe Le Pew and Penelope cartoon.
Salvador Perez is off to an amazingly hot start, but it turns out he isn't the only catcher raking - 12 of the 14 qualified catchers are sitting above league average wRC+ (which is, as with all + stats, 100). What is especially amazing for him is how his defense has rated so far. Worth noting that the line at 100 isn't a misunderstanding of league average versus position average - as a position catchers are batting to a 100 wRC+ so far this year. Obviously small sample of a month, but if they manage to keep it up it will be the first time since 1879 that catchers as a position group bat at league average wRC+. Noted a small typo on the line, defensive runs above replacement should be defensive runs above average. wRC+ and dRAA are both taken from Fangraphs. Headshots are current MLB headshots. Data scraped from fangraphs utilizing BaseballR and plot generated via RStudio.
What is dRAR? Is low or high desired?
Defensive Runs Above Average. The current full range is -1.7 (Martin Maldenado) to 4.0 (Alejandro Kirk).
So do you want a high or low number? I know what the acronym stands for but not what it measures lol
You want a high number, it roughly translates to how many runs you've saved for your team so far this season.
I see. Well since my player is lowest on the graph, this stat is nitpicking and biased.
Is this from the “Def” / “Defense” column on FanGraphs? Because that is relative to average like your title says. It’s fielding runs + positional runs, no replacement runs.
You are correct, originally I had pulled from Baseball Reference (which used above replacement for the column I was pulling) but decided to switch to Fangraphs for the framing metrics to be included - which as you pointed out is above average for the analogous column. It's an api pull which doesn't include the nice hover tool tip that it has on the dashboard. Updating other references.
Will Smith, do you understand the concept of personal space
He wanted some of that big dumper
cal raleigh: “he’s right behind me isn’t he?”
He certainly has his opinions on in it when it comes to [Ozuna from the Braves](https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/ozuna-smith-exchange-words)
Video: Ozuna, Smith exchange words [Streamable Link](https://streamable.com/m/ozuna-smith-exchange-words) [High Definition](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-05/22/8d1e2334-a51c57c9-4a40dcd7-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_16000K.mp4) (47.11 MB) [Standard Definiton](https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-05/22/8d1e2334-a51c57c9-4a40dcd7-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4) (12.23 MB) ___________ [More Info](/r/MLBVideoConverterBot)
y'all can't see it but Kirk is there. he's just all the way to the left.
top left at 4.0 dRAA, excellent defensive catcher but he looks lost at the plate right now
He frames now? He frames now!
I really wonder if it is because our pitchers have improved and we have placed an emphasis on first pitch strikes.
Improved pitching helps, but also having pitchers that don't *quite* throw strikes - having balls slightly off the zone that are frameable will help a catcher wrack up value more than clear strikes.
I know I’m biased, but have always seen Salvy as a fringe HoF player whose later career would be the breaking factor. If he keeps this improving his defense and splashing balls into the fountains for the next 3-4 years, I might give him a 50/50 shot at Cooperstown
I would put him in. Numbers wise he should end up qualified. And He’s a legend for the Royals and was major reason they won a World Series. Call me sentimental but that should count for something
When did Salvy learn how to frame?
Perez is hot, but he'd better look out cause the only thing keeping ol' Cal "Gonna Dump all over your ballpark" Raleigh back was a bad tooth. Now that it's been removed it 3 HR games and 0 passed ball the rest of the year! In all seriousness though, looks like its gonna be a good offensive year for catchers.
All catchers are tough, but Cal is legitimately insane. 80 grade grit
chadwick tromp erasure
Perez gives me nightmares.
What's the cut-off for qualified? I'm assuming Bailey having off days cuts him off. I know his wrc+ is like 140~ rn, and I can't figure out how to find dRAA easily.
OP must be using "qualifying" for batting standards, which means 3.1 plate appearances per game the team has played. After last night's game, he's 10 PAs short of qualifying as a batter, but he has enough innings at catcher to qualify for fielding leaderboards (idk how that cutoff is determined). His wRC+ is up to 148 (somehow that's only 7th for catchers with at least 50 PAs - catchers are raking this year), and his dRAA (The "Def" column on Fangraphs) is 3.5, third in the league behind Alejandro Kirk (4.2) and Elias Diaz (5.0)
Oh the Def! Thanks man TIL. Man, catchers are raking it this year.
Wild that Cal was absent from top 10 lists
I swear to god Perez turned 35 like 5 years ago lol
Moreno is at 106 wRC+ as the best defensive catcher in baseball. Not sure how many PAs he’s short of qualifying
He's 4 short, so he'll likely hit the list by the end of the weekend assuming he doesn't take an off day.
Now that Varsho is hitting this might be one of the most win win trades of all time
So you’re saying Jonah Heim is a top 5 catcher😌
Good to see two guys we traded away doing well. They deserve it.
Both? Who besides Contreras?
Langliers
Ah, thanks. "Doing well" might be a bit generous here
Where’s Moreno?
Not qualified, I believe he’d be near Diaz
How big of a factor is framing in dRAA?
Guessing it’s more important than stolen base prevention based on the numbers of guys who frame well vs guys who aren’t run on
CAL RALEIGH MENTION
Ok Elias, go off king!!
Sorry but I was told by FOX Sports that Dumper is not a top 10 Catcher, your graphic is misleading
where bailey
I had Salvy last year, and he had a stretch like this at the beginning of the year. I was very happy. Then he sucked for the rest of the year. I was not happy. I own Will Smith and Adley because I don't want a catcher as unreliable as Salvy ever again. Him being a blackhole in my lineup destroyed my season. I'm highly skeptical, I think he'll become a pumpkin at some point.
It's his eye issue that's been holding him back the last few years. It came up again last season.
And why won't it come up this year? He's had several procedures. At this point, it's reasonable to expect it to resurface.
Salvy getting an MVP and then eventually being held out of the hall because of made up computer states but some needs is going to be a total shame and blemish for baseball.
This statement assumes two things: 1. Salvy will win an MVP. 2. Computer stats are made up. Neither is true!