MLB Names to Know: Elite Pitch Framing Catchers

Jun 19, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) watches Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (C) frame a pitch which home plate umpire Mike Estabrook (83) called ball four forcing in the game winning run in the twelfth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-3 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Russell Martin (55) watches Cincinnati Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco (C) frame a pitch which home plate umpire Mike Estabrook (83) called ball four forcing in the game winning run in the twelfth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 4-3 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Buster Posey, San Francisco

Who Is He?

You may have heard of this guy. He’s a 3-time All-Star, 2010 National League Rookie of the Year, and the 2012 National League Most Valuable Player. Yet, he’s still playing in his age-29 season, which is just incredible.

In spite of his prowess at the plate with the bat, which is tremendous, with a .308/.372/.481 line in just under 800 career major league games, Posey’s defensive skills were rather under appreciated until he won a Fielding Bible award last year. Part of that could be the poor fortune of being in the same league as Yadier Molina his whole career, but part is simply because many assume you cannot have great defense while having a great bat. Posey does do both.

However, one of the more under-the-radar aspects of Posey’s game is how amazing he is at framing the baseball. He has had multiple seasons of over 20 Framing Runs with one 19.5 as well. This season he has 7.8 Framing Runs already. He’s absolutely elite at setting himself up for pitches!

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Next: The Other Dodger Catcher