There was some discussion going on earlier, in one of the comment sections, about Yorvit Torrealba's ability to call games and handle pitchers. Steve Busby was interviewed on ESPN radio last week and specifically mentioned that he thought the game calling by the Ranger catchers was a problem, though he did not call out any particular players by name.

FWIW I decided to look on baseball reference and found that the rangers' record with Torrealba catching this year is 27-30. This means when someone else has been catching, they are 18-11. With Napoli behind the plate they are 13-7

I know its an unreliable stat, but FWIW Torrealba's catcher era is now 4.51, while Napoli's is 2.73, and Teagarden's is 3.03. Granted TT has a relatively small sample size.

Anyways, I don't know enough to about the game to be able to tell by watching if there really is any problem with YT's game calling, but I did find these stats interesting given the discussion. I've never put much stock in the importance of catchers' ability to call games or handle pitchers, but hearing Busby specifically mention that has made me think about it some more. If nothing else, this just makes the Matt Treanor trade all the more puzzling.

Interesting. As a former catcher, I can promise you there is a difference between catchers and how they call a game/manage pitchers. Catchers have a big inflence over the pitchers. It can be as simple as one catcher giving a better target to throw to than another. Or a pitcher may feel more confident that balls in the dirt will be blocked. A good catcher also knows which pitches a pitcher has good control or confidence in on a given night and calls what the pitcher is throwing best.

Who knows if the team ERA goes down the rest of the year by simply putting Napoli behind the dish...but it looks like there might be some evidence showing it's at least worth a shot. I thought Torrealba was the starter because he was the better defensive option but if that's not the case, then Napoli shold definitely be back there more often.

I just want to get rid of Torrealba because of the hitch that he has when throwing back to the pitcher. WHY THE HELL DO YOU HAVE TO DOUBLE PUMP ON EVERY THROW? Drives me nuts!

Well done Rangers. True those stats can be misleading and a lot of factors come into play. However they can show trends.
If Steve Busby said it I think its true and for Busby to criticize a Rangers player/s then he must feel pretty strongly about it. Now why they sent down TT and traded Treanor is a mystery to me and probably a few others.
Does Yorvit contribute enough offensively to limit Napoli's catching appearances, that is the question right?

There is a definite difference, as many ptchers have their "preffered" catcher on their day in the rotation. C.J. was / is like that. Sometimes it is just a comfort level or preference in calls to their abilities and strengths. Many of the Yankees pitchers called out Posada not so long ago, and said they'd rather opt for any other alternative.

CJ calls his own game, not the pitcher. He just preferred Matt Treanor that be his catcher because his balls have soo much movement he felt Treanor was faster in case the ball got away. He felt Bengie was not fast enough to get a ball out of the dirt if needed.

Well DC, our meaning is the same. A pitcher's preference is a catcher whose talents and abilities best match his. Agreed?

sorry to double post, however the fact that besides Ogando, CJ has our best record and calls his own game so it makes you wonder if YT's game calling does affect the other pitchers. Plus in those close games when CJ pitches it almost always seems that the BP blows the game so it makes you wonder if the BP is that bad, or if YT is just making horrible calls? He's admitted it himself in regards to Feliz of calling way too many FBs. dunno its a very precarious situation. Napoli's not a fulltime catcher in my opinion, TT leaves us playing NL ball in the AL the way he hits. in my opinion i think we can fill our BP internally, and this moves acquiring a capable catcher for now and the future as the highest priority by the trade deadline, followed by a rotation pitcher. But then again i have NO CLUE what catcher would be out there or available?.... anyone?

Ricky, yes, i have this horrible habit of submitting before finishing my thoughts lol. read the rest of my post. yes pitchers all want a catcher that meets there needs and i seriously am wondering if YT is doing this. I dont think he is, and in the spirit of teamwork and all that the rangers are, claws, antlers all that, i dont think any of the pitchers have the balls (maybe not the best terms) but maybe they just dont want to chance ruining that comraderie by saying something to wash about how questionable YTs pitch selection is. theres not denying he's well liked and a good locker room guy... but so are lots of players that suck. go watch rudy. he was well loved. still doesnt mean he could play football lol.

This conversation always takes me back to Newberg's one time comment, and I paraphrase; "The Rangers should attempt to develop Chris Davis as a catcher". Wouldn't that be cool!?

Can I get a link to this said statistic? How do you find out the win loss record for catchers?

DC - I may have your available Catcher in our system. He was drafted as a Catcher in 2006, but that was when Texas was back=logged with Catching talent, thus he attempted a position change, and has continued with the same problem. His bat is awesome, i.e. lots of POP! Who was that Pepperdine Catcher? Your own Chad Tracy. And he was a good Catcher. Taken in the 3rd round. He was a well decorated Catcher at Pepperdine.

Well? It sounded good on paper, given his minor-league hitting, and college accolades as a Catcher, having been a semi-finalist with Matt Weiters for the Johnny Bench Award. But Scott Lucas tells me this: ".... Because he's a DH. He's not even a good defensive first baseman. Texas moved him off catcher (and off the outfield corners) for a reason. If Texas thought he had a future at catcher, they most definitely would not have moved him. Unfortunately, he's basically a DH with only one plus offensive skill. His contact and patience don't project to be more than mediocre in the Majors. Otherwise, we'd be hearing more about him from the front office and in trade talks."

So there you have it.

Dammit all to hell!!! its funny cuz Chris Davis actually has the body of a catcher... but even if he could pull it off, we'd be in the same situation as TT. playing NL ball. no 9th hitter better than a pitcher. granted if all our guys that suck could just hit like CJ.... lol. I'm seriously (this is how desperate its getting) wondering if we could trade YT to San Fran for BP or even maybe an ok minor leage prospect something i dunno, I dont care. But i'm wondering if we could swing a trade for Tyler Clippard and *sigh* pudge. Look I know he's not the pudge of old. I know its a risk. I know he's not even the starting catcher for Washtington. However this is the last year of his contract, and we know he can call a good game. if the issue with our pitching truly is this... it might be worth it. just an idea. i'm sure i will get destroyed for it, but i just dont know who else. I'd drop a dime for mauer, and ive heard minny is interested... but do you really think thats gonna happen? i dont. so if not maybe pudge who else? i really do think this is the weakness of the team, and the reason our pitching has struggled all year. just nobody will come outright and say it.

DC - I am all for that. I never wanted Pudge to go, and you know I am a big Clippard fan.

i just question his bat. if its not better than TT then why waste the money pics, player etc...but this is his last year.... pudge could retire a ranger.

Pryor- I got the stats off of Baseball Reference. To find the win-loss record, I went to YT's player page and pulled up his game logs from this season.

DC et. al. How do you know CJ calls his own games. Has he stated that somewhere publicly or is that speculation. I was just curious bc I hadn't heard that before

@rangersbu87

CJ has stated that he calls his own game. I believe it came up when Treanor was traded. He was asked how he felt about his "personal" catcher being gone and he said that it wasnt a big deal because he called his own game he just preferred that Treanor be his catcher cuz his balls have so much movement he felt Treanor was fast enough to dig his stuff out of the dirt or catch the stuff that trails when needed. I was interested when i learned that myself. I just find it interesting that in close games similar to the last game CJ pitched, YT was the catcher, we were up by 2 (maybe 1 all these games are starting to blend together) as soon as the BP goes in the game is blown... so it makes you question is it really the BP, or could the real reason be that YT's pitch mgmt isnt the greatest. its kinda of a chicken before the egg situation, so who knows... just my opinion, i like YTs energy, i love his enthusiasm and what he brings to the lockeroom, but i'd like to see what this team can do with napoli behind the plate. and if its determined that he's not a fulltime cathcer (as many believe pretty much his whole career) we need to make a move at the deadline for a catcher. The only possibility I see is doing a Clippard/Pudge package... but i just think Pudge is washed out. But if the Reds tank i'd be interested in a Cueto or possible Volquez/Stubbs trade.

Either way this is a position we really need to address for the future. I hear Minny thinks they made a bad deal with Mauer and that he's not going to last his contract as catcher and will most likely move to DH pretty much being a waste of that big a contract.... there have been rumblings of them willing to trade him. Granted it'd cost us a fortune, but i'd like to see Nolan and JD have the balls to make a move for Mauer. I think Minny is over estimating his "injuries" and underestimating how hard turf is on your knees (ask andre dawson coulda been one of the greatest players ever had his knees not litterally been destroyed by playing on turf the majority of his career). Start a young career out on turf their bound to have issues. Move him to Texas on grass give him a chance to rehab and restrenghten before Minny figures this out on their own since Target field is grass and no longer turf. Granted theres zero chance in hell of that happening

@Joey~
I can totally see where you're coming from, but when on the field, you can tell
when the catcher takes control and calls a good game. Also, he'll go out and
yank the pitcher and tell him "You WILL throw that SLIDER, or I'll kick yo azz".
It's all about the setup for the next. How many times have you seen Feliz throw
FB after FB in a NON-fastball situation? Yeah, you're getting my point. It's
the catcher. T'alba is a 90% FB guy, unless Colby or Wilson, are on the mound.

The learning curve is not that long, with our young arms. Sorry, ya got to pull it
OUT of a pitcher. Bob Feller, as fassst as he was, loved his curve... he noted
that the plate got MUCH wider, because the batter would chase one outside, over
a fast ball outside. In other words, he didn't have to throw strikes to take control.
For some reason though, Yo pushes Ogando. TT has called some really good games.

Didn't NAPOLI call a splendid game for Holland, against Oakland last night 7/7?
Those two were connected, big time.

hand in hand hubz hand in hand. further proof we need to deal for a real deal (no pun) intended catcher at the deadline. i think the BP can be fixed internally. focus on a catcher and a 5th starter. in the words of the great Jim Mora... Playoffs!

I'm lovin Napoli more and more with every game he plays. Trade Torrealba to SF for one of their good relievers. Go Rangers!!!