[lex24]

1716677306[/url]']

1716672787[/url]']

1716665021[/url]']

1716655141[/url]']
One correction, Mick - Grandal is the Pirates’ starting C.  Bart is the #2.

Too true. I got excited because Bart started two of the three games vs. the Giants and Grandal is hitting .213/.224/.409/.633.

So much of catching is defense, including pitch calling and framing.  At best, Bart is a below average receiver.  Unless he improves his defensive skills, he will struggle to become a regular catcher at the major league level.  His future might be as a DH if he can keep his strike out rate at a reasonable level (currently it is above the MLB average).  There is no doubt he can hit for power when he connects.

Right, and I get it if you're Fisk, Rodriguez or Bench...or Bailey or Posey. But Yasmani Grandal? His defense is mediocre at best. In 12 games, he has had two passed balls (Bart has 1 in 18 games), Grandal has more errors (3) than Bart (1), his fielding percentage is worse than Bart's (.973 to .992) and Grandal's range factor is virtually identical to Bart's (9.08 to 9.04). The only metric that he's materially superior to Bart is throwing out baserunners, and Grandal is below league average (20%). Grandal has led the league in passed balls three times in his career, in fact he is the career leader among active catchers. He hasn't led or been among league leaders in any major catching category in a number of years, and he allowed the most stolen bases of any AL pitcher last year (98). He never won a gold glove. In just 12 games caught, he's 4th in the league in most errors. Grandal is 17th in pitch framing and Bart's 26th, true, but they're not that far apart. Grandal is old, and it shows...Grandal's pop time is 60th among catchers, Bart's is 14th. In 2024, Grandal's Rtot is -4, Bart's is -2.

---

In spite of Luciano's third late inning error in three games (5 in 8 games), Giants had a nice 7-2, come from behind win. Wisely, 3 for 3. Hicks pitched well, as did the relievers. Doval, very clean 10th inning. Luke Jackson got the win, is 3-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

 Luciano 4 9th inning errors in 5 games.  Incredibly exciting week of baseball.

[lex24]

1716677306[/url]']

1716672787[/url]']

1716665021[/url]']

1716655141[/url]']
One correction, Mick - Grandal is the Pirates’ starting C.  Bart is the #2.

Too true. I got excited because Bart started two of the three games vs. the Giants and Grandal is hitting .213/.224/.409/.633.

So much of catching is defense, including pitch calling and framing.  At best, Bart is a below average receiver.  Unless he improves his defensive skills, he will struggle to become a regular catcher at the major league level.  His future might be as a DH if he can keep his strike out rate at a reasonable level (currently it is above the MLB average).  There is no doubt he can hit for power when he connects.

Right, and I get it if you're Fisk, Rodriguez or Bench...or Bailey or Posey. But Yasmani Grandal? His defense is mediocre at best. In 12 games, he has had two passed balls (Bart has 1 in 18 games), Grandal has more errors (3) than Bart (1), his fielding percentage is worse than Bart's (.973 to .992) and Grandal's range factor is virtually identical to Bart's (9.08 to 9.04). The only metric that he's materially superior to Bart is throwing out baserunners, and Grandal is below league average (20%). Grandal has led the league in passed balls three times in his career, in fact he is the career leader among active catchers. He hasn't led or been among league leaders in any major catching category in a number of years, and he allowed the most stolen bases of any AL pitcher last year (98). He never won a gold glove. In just 12 games caught, he's 4th in the league in most errors. Grandal is 17th in pitch framing and Bart's 26th, true, but they're not that far apart. Grandal is old, and it shows...Grandal's pop time is 60th among catchers, Bart's is 14th. In 2024, Grandal's Rtot is -4, Bart's is -2.

---

In spite of Luciano's third late inning error in three games (5 in 8 games), Giants had a nice 7-2, come from behind win. Wisely, 3 for 3. Hicks pitched well, as did the relievers. Doval, very clean 10th inning. Luke Jackson got the win, is 3-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

 Luciano 4 9th inning errors in 5 games.  Incredibly exciting week of baseball.