Catcher defense and 'Diamondview'

by Travis G on Dec 20, 2009 8:31 PM EST in New York Yankees Analysis

There's great work being done by our fellow SBN bloggers. Driveline Mechanics broke down catcher's defense. It's one aspect that is so hard to quantify, and although it's not the end-all-be-all, it might be the best system in place right now.

Frankie Cervelli was, unsurprisingly, the best Yankee catcher, despite playing just 42 games. He saved 3.1 runs, good for 14th (out of 114). Jose Molina was actually a below average catcher, costing the Yankees 1.1 runs (ranking 82nd). Jorge Posada finished almost dead last, costing his team 5.9 runs, good for fifth worst in baseball.

The Yankees should feel confident in Cervelli backing up Posada next year. The only question is: how much will he hit? Can it really be worse than Molina (.217/.292/.268)?

Beyond the Box Score analyzed every Yankee starter, resulting in a beautiful compilation of each player's combined attributes. Here's Derek Jeter compared to the average shortstop:

The numbers represent the percentile. For example, Jeter's on-base skills were better than 95% of other shortstops.

It's a great visual way to quickly see how a player stacks up against his competition.

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well

Cervelli showed some decent on base skills in the minors. a career 273/.367/.380 guy in the minors and roughly .390 ish OBP in A ball (basically the only stop in the minors where he had significant sample size)

meanwhile , Jose Molina hit .245/.314/.319 in his minor league career.

There are solid evidence that Cervelli can at least out hit Molina. though given the limited # of PAs backup catchers get anyway. it might take awhile for that to have any real difference .

Cervelli’s minor league is hard to read though. he played A ball in some pitcher friendly leagues and showed good patience but little power. but when moved up to the higher minors he suffered injuries and never really got any consistent playtime in. and then he was forced into the job at the majors where he was surprisingly not completely overmatched. but didn’t show any of the patience that he had in A ball.

If he can get some of that walks rate back he’s a very nice backup. might not even kill you if he starts for a month or so.

by RollingWave on Dec 20, 2009 9:13 PM EST reply actions

This is interesting

The only caveat I have is that the leaderboard seems to favor catchers who have caught fewer innings, and if you start asking Cervelli to catch multiple consecutive games, for example, is that going to reduce his ability to throw runners out and block the plate?

You still need to hit, though. Gerald Laird tops the defensive list, but he put up an awful .626 OPS at the plate, making him far less valuable overall than somebody like Yadier Molina. The same is true when you compare Cervelli to Posada.

by 3460kuri on Dec 20, 2009 9:53 PM EST reply actions

I like the Diamondview, but as I said at BtB, I’d like to see the the percentiles calculated using 3 years of data and a 5-4-3 weight (giving most credit to the current season). It’d give us a better view of who is the best player at his position, rather than who had the best year.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Dec 20, 2009 10:03 PM EST reply actions

I got distracted by the shiny colors

cool looking graphic and yeah it’s a who had the best year stat so its a light stat. But the nice thing about it is that it’s a graphic that I understood right away instead of my usual reaction of “wait what?…..oooooooooooh, i get it.”

by Peppered on Dec 20, 2009 11:31 PM EST reply actions

Good stuff.

And is there any doubt the 3.1 runs Cervelli saved were the ones that allowed them to win the WS in 6?

No..there is no doubt.

If you doubt…Cervelli smites you.

"It ain't over till its over"---

3rd down + Steve Smith = 1st Down.

"I just saw Avatar, and Sean Avery was hands down the best character!"

by FreeBradshaw on Dec 21, 2009 12:00 AM EST reply actions

Lol

I can never tell if you are pro- or anti-Cervelli…I think he will be a fine #2 for now and will be a fine #1 some day, somewhere, in the Majors.

by david d on Dec 21, 2009 12:33 AM EST up reply actions

I think cervelli is going to be a very good player....

I can’t wait to see him in action….

-Announcemen Forwarded To The Following: Boston Blowsox, New York Pets, Philadelphia Phonies, And Any Other Team Who Ain't The With The Empire.................

Getcha' Fuccin Rings Up........

by NYYWinsRings27 on Dec 21, 2009 1:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Diamondview is Bologna

Anybody that says that Mark Teixiera is a below-average first baseman, or that Derek Jeter is something less than an outstanding baserunner, is full of it.

by albanyattorney40 on Dec 21, 2009 4:23 PM EST reply actions