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: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Caleb Joseph, Baltimore Orioles

Who Is He?

An injury to Matt Wieters allowed the Orioles to realize what they had in Joseph, and the former first guy that would get brought up in trade rumors is now one of their nearly untouchable players in trade as Joseph has shown how valuable he is behind the plate, if only average at it.

Joseph did only hit .234/.299/.394 last year, but he did have 9.8 Framing Runs. Joseph is 6’3 and looks to be around 200-210 pounds (Baseball Reference has him at 180, but that seems quite light to reality). He presents a great target for his pitchers, and he really does well moving side to side to get to balls and blocking balls as well.

Joseph’s future will be interesting coming up this offseason as Wieters is on a one-year deal with the Orioles, and it will be interesting to see if the team goes with Joseph as the starter next season. Otherwise, do they pursue someone else and keep Joseph as the backup? The Orioles do also have Chance Sisco coming up in their system, and he’s a great prospect as well.

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