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MLB Playoff Teams Show Everyday Catcher No Longer a Necessity

By Joshua Mayer |
Oct 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (left) talks with catcher Roberto Perez (right) in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (left) talks with catcher Roberto Perez (right) in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Only half of the MLB’s 10 playoff teams had a catcher accumulate more than 300 plate appearances over the regular season. Is the importance of an everyday catcher dwindling?

Division winners around the MLB, like the Cubs, Red Sox, Indians, Rangers (pre Lucroy), and to a lesser extent the Dodgers, had a revolving door at catcher for part or most of the season. Still, these teams all won their respective divisions quite easily. Some of these teams, like the Red Sox and Cubs, got solid production from their catching mix, while others, like the pre-Lucroy Rangers and Indians, struggled to find positive offensive contributions from the plate.

The Indians fought to a playoff berth with their catchers hitting a combined 100-578, good for an abysmal .173 AVG.

Jonathan Lucroy fixed the Rangers catching woes, but the team was winning games with a combination of Bobby Wilson (.629 OPS) and Bryan Holaday (.695 OPS) at catcher before his arrival. 

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These teams catchers were instead tasked with doing whatever they could to help their pitchers almost regardless of their hitting, and it seems the results worked out judging by the teams records. The Indians Roberto Perez amazingly finished fifth in the majors in getting extra called strikes for his pitchers due to his pitch framing even though he started limited games, but only finished with 0.4 WAR. It seems as long as these catchers are hitting above .200, their strong defense would be enough value to keep them in the lineup.

In 2016, only eight “starting” (more than 300 PA) catchers eclipsed a WAR of two. The last time eight or less catchers got to this WAR total was nine years ago in 2007. It seems today’s catchers can no longer be measured by stats.

Aside from players like Russell Martin, Salvador Perez, Buster Posey, Yadier Molina, and a few select others, most teams do not have a set every day catcher nowadays. It still appears that teams can succeed with one starting catcher, but the trend is going towards a mix. Perhaps this trend has occurred in order to keep catchers fresh; it is the most physically demanding position after all. Or possibly there is just a lack of talent at the moment at the catcher position, and the starting catcher will come roaring back once more talent arrives.

Another trend that seems to be increasing is the personal catcher. For the Cubs, the opponent can know what catcher they are starting based on the projected pitcher in most cases. Jon Lester has David Ross, Kyle Hendricks works with Willson Contreras, and Jake Arrieta is with Miguel Montero. Along with the personal catcher, the trend of carrying three catchers seems to be increasing as well. Three teams had three catchers on their NLDS roster, the Cubs, Dodgers, and Indians.

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So why does this matter? It seems with the increased knowledge of injuries and newfound importance on maintaining a healthy body, the catching position is looked at as too treacherous for a good hitter. After all, the Nationals moved Bryce Harper away from catcher because he was “too good at the plate.” Teams are now looking for catchers to manage the pitching staff and play solid defense, if they can hit would just be an added bonus.

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