The Skills Showdown: Battle Of The Texas Backstops
Jason Parks
Borrowing a page out of the John Sickels playbook, I decided to pit similar players head-to-head using a variety of skills and tools as the measuring stick. Because most defensive rating systems were developed for fielders and have to be modified for catchers, I am going to use SABRs six tools rating system to evaluate their defensive skill sets. This isn't a perfect means for player comparison, but its fun and hopefully it will spark some intelligent discussion.
As it stands now, the Texas Rangers have four capable catchers occupying spots on their 40-man roster. With the trade deadline in the rear-view mirror, the Rangers must focus on establishing a plan for '09 that will firmly secure one catcher's role with the organization, while probably showing the door to two of the remaining three. Having seen all four of them in person, both at the Major League level and in the minors, and discussed their specific attributes with scouts, I will attempt to paint an objective picture using four of the seven skills from Sickels and SABRs six defensive tools for catchers.
Skill #1 - Strike Zone Judgment
Max Ramirez has produced a .400-plus OBP in five of his six professional seasons. In 1435 career minor league at-bats, Ramirez has a remarkable lifetime OBP of .416. His pitch recognition is excellent and his patience at the plate creates opportunities to see more fastball counts. Max takes walks and makes contact when he swings, which keeps his strikeout totals reasonably low. Ramirez just doesn't get cheated very often at the plate. His career AVG/OBP differential is over 100 points, and given his advanced strike zone judgment, I expect his on-base skills to eventually translate to the next level.
Skill #2 - Power
This one is close, but I'm going to give the edge to Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden both have excellent pop in their bats, but Saltalamacchia has not only the physical size (6' 4", 235 lb.) and strength, but also the sweet stroke from the left side of the plate to be a major power threat in Arlington. His Major League results haven't exactly proven this to be correct, but the potential is still very much alive. Don't forget, this is the same kid who hit 19 home runs in the pitcher-friendly Carolina League as a 19-year-old. The power is there.
Saltalamacchia's problem has been his approach. Sometimes I get the feeling that there have been too many cooks in the kitchen. He rarely looks comfortable, and thanks to some injury issues, he has yet to find any offensive consistency. He is still very young, and thanks to his power potential, Saltalamacchia will make a valuable addition to any team.
Skill #3 - Hitting for Average
As is often the case, the player that has the more refined approach at the plate stands to get better pitches to hit. Not only does Max Ramirez have the best approach at the plate, he also has the best chance to hit for a high average at the Major League level. Max has very good contact rates, and because of his ability to work the count in his favor, he often gets to swing at pitches out over the plate. When Max gets to swing at pitches out over the plate, the greater the chance he has to hit line drives. Care to guess what his batting average was when hitting line drives at Double-A Frisco? That's right: .773.
Skill #4 - Offensive Speed
This one really isn't that close. Saltalamacchia is a good athlete with decent speed for a catcher, but Gerald Laird has decent speed for a baseball player. The man can actually run. Despite a large frame (6' 1'', 225 lb.), Laird has surprisingly nimble feet. He isn't quite gazelle-like, but there is a certain grace to his gate. This may seem like a joke, but Laird is actually a very good athlete who is one of the only real base-stealing threats from his position in baseball. He has a quick first step and a natural baseball intelligence that only goes to enhance his overall value on the basepaths.
The Six Tools of Defense:
Tool #1 - Stamina
Of all the catchers on the 40-man roster, I think Laird is better suited to catch at least 50 percent of the team's games and is capable of catching 75 percent. In '07, Laird appeared at catcher in 115 games and despite a sharp decline in his offensive numbers, his defensive game didn't experience a similar drop-off. Teagarden has suffered injuries during his minor league tenure that could limit his eventual workload behind the plate.
I think in a perfect scenario, Teagarden would be able to catch 50 percent of a team's games during a season, but I have my doubts that he would be able to catch anywhere close to 75 percent. His injury history just raises too many red flags at this point to think he will be able to handle the same workload as Laird.
Tool #2 - Good Glove
Good glove, or Error Rate, is basically a measure of how many errors occur when a catcher participates in a putout. If you exclude strikeouts and focus solely on a catcher's Independent Putouts, you can start to compare a catcher's glovework to another. When it comes to that glovework, all four Rangers catchers have shown the ability to flash the leather, but Teagarden stands above the rest. Since there isn't enough IPO fielding data for all four players, I decided to use my eyes over the numbers. It's not an exact science, but I feel confident that Teagarden will have the better glove in this regard at the Major League level.
Tool #3 - Good Arm
Throwing out runners isn't just about having a strong throwing arm. You have to be acutely aware of the running situation, you have to receive the ball cleanly, you have to make a smooth glove-to hand-transfer, and you have to make a strong and accurate throw. Both Laird and Teagarden have proven to be well above-average at cutting down would-be basestealers, but for the sake of the comparison, I've decided to go with Laird as the catcher that shows a better handle on this tool.
For his career, Laird has thrown out runners at an almost 40 percent clip. Considering that the average steal success rate is close to 70 percent, Laird's career caught-stealing percentage is far above league average. His glove-to-hand transfer is very smooth and he throws a very accurate ball with some zip on it. His "pop" times have always been excellent, and his quick release allows him to throw out runners in spite of a pitching staff that is littered with guys who are slow to the plate.
Tool #4 - Ball Handling
When a ball is bunted out in front of the plate, which catcher is better equipped to pick up the ball cleanly and execute the play? Honestly, I'm not sure. It's a very narrow and quite often insignificant means of defensive evaluation. I've seen all four of the catchers play, and I've seen all four of them make plays on bunts out in front of the plate. One player didn't stand out as the superior ball handler, but I will admit that some are better suited for that play than others.
If I was forced to assign a ranking, I would naturally go with the better all-around defensive catcher in Teagarden, but I haven't seen anything that would make me think that Laird isn't a capable ball handler as well. Moving on.
Tool #5 - Effective Game Play
Effective game play is the ability to make heads-up, error-free plays on double-play opportunities as well as minimizing passed balls and sacrifice hits. Teagarden's superior defensive skill set makes him the easy choice here. He has quick reflexes and an excellent glove that help to limit the number of passed balls during a game, as well as the ball-handling skills, strong arm and baseball intelligence to execute the proper play on sacrifice hits and double-play opportunities.
Tool #6 - Game Calling
Which catcher gets more out of a pitcher than the others? Which catcher will make the right call against the right hitter at the right time? The answer is Taylor Teagarden.
An underappreciated facet of the game is the relationship between a pitcher and his catcher. Teagarden is a quarterback on the baseball field. His cerebral approach to the game and his excellent communication skills gives his batterymate every possible advantage out on the bump. Teagarden is a student of the game. He watches for trends and is quick to make adjustments to help maximize production. The ability to effectively communicate a game plan to a pitcher while earning his complete confidence might be the most valuable skill a catcher can possess.
There it is. I don't want to type a conclusion to this piece because that is really for the reader to decide. All four players have the necessary skills to be successful catchers at the Major League level. This analysis was based on their attributes, both offensively and defensively, but I purposely left out all the other variables that would normally be a part of the decision-making process.
Specifically for this on-paper evaluation, I decided not include ages, Major League experience, contract status or any superfluous data that might be used to paint a player as the better candidate. I want to hear who you think would make the better starting catcher going forward. Which skills do you value you the most in a catcher? Please vote for your catcher of your choice and comment on why you think they should be the Rangers� starting catcher.
Reader Comments (16)
I agree with Jimh. Laird is the one guy I would keep. He's got the most experience, and is the most solid, dependable guy. Given the risk associated with relying on unproved youngsters Salty, Teagarden, and Ramirez, the need to have a reliable option behind the plate is that much greater. Even if he is a backup long-term, I would still keep him.
Other than Laird, Salty has to be given a chance to establish himself. A backstop with plus power is a rare find. Finally, unless the Rangers are offered an overwhelming package, I would not rush to deal Teagarden or Ramirez. Organizational depth is a great thing to have; at catcher even moreso. What happens if there is an injury to someone? Or if one or more of the trio fail to hit in the majors as expected?
Keep up the great work, Parks.
Max is a man without a position, so he will have to show a very, very big bat in order to stick in the majors.
Salty hasn't yet shown that he is an adequate defensive catcher, and probably never will. His bat is not big enough to play 1B. So, trade him while there may still be a market for potential.
I still think Salty or Ramirez will win this battle, due to their offensive potential - Teagarden and Laird may seem like the safer bets, but I'm a sucker for star potential. I'm still convinced that one, if not both of Salty and MaxRam are going to be the next Brian McCann or Victor Martinez given time and experience, and don't think Texas can afford to pass that potential up.
I do think that Taylor Teagarden and his skillset makes Gerald Laird pretty superfluous going forward though - Gerald is of course arb eligible, and his presence makes giving any playing time to the three younger catchers awfully tricky. Seeing as how Teagarden can do everything Laird can defensively (only better) I just don't see a need for both of them on the same team with two possible offensive phenoms.
I'm also of the opinion that Max Ramirez is going to be an offensive star in the major leagues and I'd pencil him in for 500 plate appearances next season for the Rangers, primarily at DH.
Salty and Laird are the odd men out, I'd deal those 2 this offseason.
Teagarden is a CATCHER, very intelligent and had a great game in his MLB debut, he has worked well with his battery mates at UT and the minors. The Rangers should keep Teagarden as Laird's backup for 2009.
Maximus is an offensive machine.... a great DH and emergency catcher for the Rangers, especially of Milton Bradley is not resigned.
Salty needs reps....really didnt get to experience the flow that will allow him to develop and prosper in the Majors. Salty will bring pitching to the Rangers. Please trade him to an organization that will allow him to breakout. He is a very deserving young man.
I believe the Rangers keep Laird, Teagarden and Ramirez in 2009.
Peace.
One thing I would add to the arm discussion is footwork. In my opinion, footwork is as important as arm strength when handling the running game. It is paramount.
Frankly, I am baffled by the poeple that want to hang onto Laird foremost. I think the answer is obvious: Tea and Max. You'd get the best of both worlds with that dynamic duo.
Well written column, too, by the way.
The idea of a Max/Teagarden combo is very intriguing to me.
FYI, my quick analysis puts the Rangers' backstops ranking in the order of: Teagarden, Ramirez, Laird, and Saltalamacchia.
Chuck Rosciam
Member of SABR
Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers
Combining both Offense and Defense (in a 1:1 ratio) the Overall rankings would be: Laird, Teagarden, Rameriz and Saltalamacchia. However, injuries and susceptability to injuries, when taken into account, would lower Laird's ranking somewhat. So, one could swap out Laird with Ramirez in the first slot. The Off-Def combined "uber-uber stats" are so close for all 4 that one must choose between Off and Def as one's bias.
Still believe it would not be in the Rangers' best interests to deal him this winter, though - out of all four, Saltalamacchia would seem to have the most raw potential in a category I like to call "Ability to make his team rue the day they traded him."
Potential: the bane of a baseball fan's existence.
Why trade Laird ? Laird's competitive attitude worries me. If you are the best of the four catchers , why would you be worried about somebody stealing your job?