Catcher Ability Importance

Warfsu · 08-20-2021, 02:36 PM

So I’m debating which two catchers I should roster out of Victor Martinez, Del Crandall, and Walker Cooper. Specific to this season, Martinez has been much better then Crandall (those are who I currently use). Is the drop in Cooper’s catching ability too much of a deal breaker when comparing the three? Offensively he’s ahead of both guys.

chazzycat · 08-20-2021, 03:08 PM

yeah, I wouldn't play Cooper. The general consensus is that catcher ability is VERY important, one of the most important ratings in the game.

Personally I have some doubts about that, but even still I would not play someone with 53 catcher ability.

professor ape · 08-20-2021, 03:16 PM

C Ability is definitely the darling of the ratings to many out there. I do believe it is quite important and it does seem to have a material impact on pitchers’ strikeout and walk rates. The question is how much does it actually impact run prevention. Personally I’m setting the line at a rating of 70 but above that I think it is a mistake to ignore offensive production. A number of people are using the Mauer FH1 card all the way up to the Perfect League. I’m giving him a shot in a platoon with Crandall at the Diamond level. His C Ability is 73 but he has a 95 arm which could be valuable with all of the speedsters in Diamond. I’ll be curious to see how it goes.

Southern_Aristocrat · 08-20-2021, 10:06 PM

I wish someone had an answer. I use Piazza, amazing catcher ability but after 10 seasons results are somewhat... worse than pathetic. His arm doesn't help mind you. I can't see a stat that parses them out tho.

Hertston · 08-21-2021, 08:09 AM

Among a limited choice, I tend to select them on the basis of team strengths and weaknesses. If pitching and defense is OK but offence unsatisfactory, I go for the guys who can hit. If it's (rarely) the other way around, I select those with the highest catcher skills.

A bit simplistic, I know.

Kushiel · 08-21-2021, 09:02 AM

IMHO if your team has great pitching, them 70+ is fine and run scoring is difficult so I have started leaning toward a catcher that knows what his bat is for.

If the team has poor pitching, then you might get the great catcher defense.

frankbama · 08-22-2021, 07:39 PM

Does no one like him anymore? I never get amazing results from catching, but I've been going with a McCrandall platoon for the 2 seasons that I've had Crandall now and it seems to be decent. Crandall replaced Gibson for me. Both positive WAR each season FWIW. Other than one week in PeL and one demoted to Gold I've been stuck in diamond for a couple months now. Not sure what else to do.

ncap99 · 08-22-2021, 09:42 PM

People definitely like McCarver still, he is just out of reach for most people. Same with Bill Dickey and to a lesser extent Campanella (negro league version). Dickey over McCarver vR but McCarver is a very solid and 2nd best option, and about 1/5 the price. Crandall is very easy to obtain so you'll see almost everyone running him vL.

My offense was so bad out of the vR catcher slot this year with Mauer and Gibson I debated just starting Crandall against both and using like Austin Hedges when Crandall was tired. Usually Mauer is at least good for an ok BA and will lead the league in caught stealing %, but he OPS'd .583 this year for me...yuck. I think the only thing that stopped me was Crandall's .478 OPS against righties when Mauer was tired in 94 PAs which is incredibly bad. A very solid .768 OPS against lefties though, but he reaallllly needs to be platooned in the worst way.

frankbama · 08-22-2021, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncap99

People definitely like McCarver still, he is just out of reach for most people. Same with Bill Dickey and to a lesser extent Campanella (negro league version). Dickey over McCarver vR but McCarver is a very solid and 2nd best option, and about 1/5 the price. Crandall is very easy to obtain so you'll see almost everyone running him vL.

I was lucky enough that he was a historical perfect I got in the early summer. Haven't seen one that good in my pulls for a while now but can't complain

catholic · 08-23-2021, 05:43 PM

In low level league and I bought Carson Kelly. a few weeks ago. I think c ability is important for pitchers.

professor ape · 08-23-2021, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbama

I was lucky enough that he was a historical perfect I got in the early summer. Haven't seen one that good in my pulls for a while now but can't complain

Which one did you pull?

professor ape · 08-23-2021, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catholic

In low level league and I bought Carson Kelly. a few weeks ago. I think c ability is important for pitchers.

It is important. My understanding is that it mostly impacts strikeout and walk rates. You absolutely don’t want a catcher with a bad C Ability rating. The question is how much incremental value does the rating give once you get to a certain level and how much offense should you sacrifice for it? My gut says that as a group, we have taken it a little too far.

catholic · 08-23-2021, 07:12 PM

How or where would I find a list of all the cards ranked with the catcher with the highest ability to lowest ability?

chazzycat · 08-23-2021, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catholic

How or where would I find a list of all the cards ranked with the catcher with the highest ability to lowest ability?

https://www.ootpdevelopments.com/per...all-card-list/

catholic · 08-23-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chazzycat

https://www.ootpdevelopments.com/per...all-card-list/

thanks cat!

frankbama · 08-23-2021, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by professor ape

Which one did you pull?

The McCarver

professor ape · 08-23-2021, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankbama

The McCarver

Nicccceeeee

08-20-2021, 02:36 PM	#1
Warfsu Minors (Double A) Join Date: Apr 2021 Posts: 111	Catcher Ability Importance So I’m debating which two catchers I should roster out of Victor Martinez, Del Crandall, and Walker Cooper. Specific to this season, Martinez has been much better then Crandall (those are who I currently use). Is the drop in Cooper’s catching ability too much of a deal breaker when comparing the three? Offensively he’s ahead of both guys.

08-20-2021, 03:16 PM	#3
professor ape All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The belly of the beast Posts: 1,498	C Ability is definitely the darling of the ratings to many out there. I do believe it is quite important and it does seem to have a material impact on pitchers’ strikeout and walk rates. The question is how much does it actually impact run prevention. Personally I’m setting the line at a rating of 70 but above that I think it is a mistake to ignore offensive production. A number of people are using the Mauer FH1 card all the way up to the Perfect League. I’m giving him a shot in a platoon with Crandall at the Diamond level. His C Ability is 73 but he has a 95 arm which could be valuable with all of the speedsters in Diamond. I’ll be curious to see how it goes. __________________

08-21-2021, 08:09 AM	#5
Hertston Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 327	Among a limited choice, I tend to select them on the basis of team strengths and weaknesses. If pitching and defense is OK but offence unsatisfactory, I go for the guys who can hit. If it's (rarely) the other way around, I select those with the highest catcher skills. A bit simplistic, I know. __________________ Ballymahon Bassets (FTP)

08-21-2021, 09:02 AM	#6
Kushiel All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Deep in the Heart of Texas Posts: 1,810	IMHO if your team has great pitching, them 70+ is fine and run scoring is difficult so I have started leaning toward a catcher that knows what his bat is for. If the team has poor pitching, then you might get the great catcher defense. __________________ *Favente Deo supero*

08-22-2021, 07:39 PM	#7
frankbama Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 204	McCarver? Does no one like him anymore? I never get amazing results from catching, but I've been going with a McCrandall platoon for the 2 seasons that I've had Crandall now and it seems to be decent. Crandall replaced Gibson for me. Both positive WAR each season FWIW. Other than one week in PeL and one demoted to Gold I've been stuck in diamond for a couple months now. Not sure what else to do.

08-20-2021, 03:08 PM	#2
chazzycat All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 1,685	yeah, I wouldn't play Cooper. The general consensus is that catcher ability is VERY important, one of the most important ratings in the game. Personally I have some doubts about that, but even still I would not play someone with 53 catcher ability.

08-20-2021, 10:06 PM	#4
Southern_Aristocrat Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 61 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I wish someone had an answer. I use Piazza, amazing catcher ability but after 10 seasons results are somewhat... worse than pathetic. His arm doesn't help mind you. I can't see a stat that parses them out tho.

08-22-2021, 09:42 PM	#8
ncap99 Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 319	People definitely like McCarver still, he is just out of reach for most people. Same with Bill Dickey and to a lesser extent Campanella (negro league version). Dickey over McCarver vR but McCarver is a very solid and 2nd best option, and about 1/5 the price. Crandall is very easy to obtain so you'll see almost everyone running him vL. My offense was so bad out of the vR catcher slot this year with Mauer and Gibson I debated just starting Crandall against both and using like Austin Hedges when Crandall was tired. Usually Mauer is at least good for an ok BA and will lead the league in caught stealing %, but he OPS'd .583 this year for me...yuck. I think the only thing that stopped me was Crandall's .478 OPS against righties when Mauer was tired in 94 PAs which is incredibly bad. A very solid .768 OPS against lefties though, but he reaallllly needs to be platooned in the worst way.

08-23-2021, 05:43 PM	#10
catholic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 28	In low level league and I bought Carson Kelly. a few weeks ago. I think c ability is important for pitchers.

08-23-2021, 07:12 PM	#13
catholic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 28	How or where would I find a list of all the cards ranked with the catcher with the highest ability to lowest ability?