Pitch framing is a topic that has come up especially in relation to Tyler Flowers. Below is an article on Chris Sale and the effect it had on him as well as mention or AJ and Ross. Not a big concern for us until we find our catcher of the future. Another note, looks like Blake Swihart will be odd man out aqain in Boston if White Sox scouts think he is worth a shot. Moved back to catcher full time from Lf but only 24.

 

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20...tarting-catcher

 

But after a winter that saw the Red Sox prioritize defense over offense at first base, traditionally an offense-first position, it's easy to imagine them prioritizing defense over offense at catcher.

 

Analysts have pointed out how poor White Sox catchers framed pitches for Chris Sale last year, a potential contributor to a his career-high 3.34 ERA. By giving away strikes at the bottom of the zone last season, Chicago catchers cost Sale 6.3 runs -- a drop in 17 runs from the previous season, a season in which Sale was throwing mostly to well-regarded framer Tyler Flowers.

 

(Flowers tallied 12 framing runs in 2016, sixth-best in baseball, while White Sox catchers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila were worth minus-19.6 and minus-6.8 framing runs, respectively.)

 

Framing for Sale is no easy task. The same delivery that makes his pitches hard for hitters to see makes it hard for catchers to beat the ball to the spot. Flowers had caught Sale for three seasons, each of which saw him frame pitches better than the previous.

 

"Sale throws a lot of low strikes, so you have to be ready," Leon said.

 

 

Like any other skill, some catchers frame low pitches better than others. Vazquez has drawn raves from Red Sox pitchers for his ability to keep the ball at the knees.

 

"A.J. Pierzynski was better with high balls," Levangie said. "David Ross was better down in the zone. It depends on their frame at times. It depends where their eye sits and the relationship to the glove."

Pitch framing is a topic that has come up especially in relation to Tyler Flowers. Below is an article on Chris Sale and the effect it had on him as well as mention or AJ and Ross. Not a big concern for us until we find our catcher of the future. Another note, looks like Blake Swihart will be odd man out aqain in Boston if White Sox scouts think he is worth a shot. Moved back to catcher full time from Lf but only 24.

 

http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20...tarting-catcher

 

But after a winter that saw the Red Sox prioritize defense over offense at first base, traditionally an offense-first position, it's easy to imagine them prioritizing defense over offense at catcher.

 

Analysts have pointed out how poor White Sox catchers framed pitches for Chris Sale last year, a potential contributor to a his career-high 3.34 ERA. By giving away strikes at the bottom of the zone last season, Chicago catchers cost Sale 6.3 runs -- a drop in 17 runs from the previous season, a season in which Sale was throwing mostly to well-regarded framer Tyler Flowers.

 

(Flowers tallied 12 framing runs in 2016, sixth-best in baseball, while White Sox catchers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila were worth minus-19.6 and minus-6.8 framing runs, respectively.)

 

Framing for Sale is no easy task. The same delivery that makes his pitches hard for hitters to see makes it hard for catchers to beat the ball to the spot. Flowers had caught Sale for three seasons, each of which saw him frame pitches better than the previous.

 

"Sale throws a lot of low strikes, so you have to be ready," Leon said.

 

 

Like any other skill, some catchers frame low pitches better than others. Vazquez has drawn raves from Red Sox pitchers for his ability to keep the ball at the knees.

 

"A.J. Pierzynski was better with high balls," Levangie said. "David Ross was better down in the zone. It depends on their frame at times. It depends where their eye sits and the relationship to the glove."

Swihart has the yips.

 

http://deadspin.com/blake-swihart-appears-...yips-1792495549

Edited February 18, 20179 yr by Dick Allen

Flowers may be a good pitch framer, but man was he terrible at blocking pitches in the dirt.

Saw video via a twitter link yesterday. Swihart is having difficulty throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

Swihart has the yips.

 

http://deadspin.com/blake-swihart-appears-...yips-1792495549

 

Hopefully then Hahn has DD on speed-dial. I am sure we have some guys in camp with the yipes so we trade a guy with the yipes for a guy with the yips. Is Lester's problem the yips or the yipes???