Team: PMR / RAA | 1B: PMR / RAA | 2B: PMR / RAA | 3B: PMR / RAA | SS: PMR / RAA | LF: PMR / RAA | CF: PMR / RAA | RF: PMR / RAA | C: PMR / RAA
Each season, David Pinto releases his Probablistic Measure of Range (PMR) ratings based on play-by-play data from Baseball Info Solutions. PMR measures how many plays above or below expected each team or player made based on batted ball characteristics like velocity and location. Here at Beyond the Box Score, we're translating the play numbers into runs (following a method developed by LA Black Hawk of Waterloo). More information can be found in this post.
This entry, we look at catchers - first on the team level and then for individuals.
| Team | In Play | Actual Outs | Predicted Outs | Outs Delta | Runs Delta | Runs / 4000 | RAA / 4000 |
| Brewers | 4354 | 71 | 63.52 | 7.48 | 5.61 | 5.15 | 5.22 |
| Mets | 4335 | 54 | 48.85 | 5.15 | 3.8625 | 3.56 | 3.63 |
| Pirates | 4683 | 53 | 48.61 | 4.39 | 3.2925 | 2.81 | 2.88 |
| Astros | 4292 | 41 | 37.24 | 3.76 | 2.82 | 2.63 | 2.7 |
| Yankees | 4349 | 56 | 52.39 | 3.61 | 2.7075 | 2.49 | 2.56 |
| Twins | 4607 | 45 | 41.93 | 3.07 | 2.3025 | 2 | 2.07 |
| Rockies | 4535 | 58 | 55.02 | 2.98 | 2.235 | 1.97 | 2.04 |
| Rangers | 4667 | 49 | 46.47 | 2.53 | 1.8975 | 1.63 | 1.7 |
| Orioles | 4540 | 41 | 39.1 | 1.9 | 1.425 | 1.26 | 1.33 |
| Phillies | 4396 | 58 | 56.28 | 1.72 | 1.29 | 1.17 | 1.24 |
| Braves | 4383 | 63 | 61.73 | 1.27 | 0.9525 | 0.87 | 0.94 |
| Diamondbacks | 4224 | 50 | 49.19 | 0.81 | 0.6075 | 0.58 | 0.65 |
| Padres | 4419 | 64 | 63.44 | 0.56 | 0.42 | 0.38 | 0.45 |
| Nationals | 4417 | 34 | 33.64 | 0.36 | 0.27 | 0.24 | 0.31 |
| Mariners | 4512 | 42 | 42.22 | -0.22 | -0.165 | -0.15 | -0.08 |
| Dodgers | 4265 | 38 | 38.45 | -0.45 | -0.3375 | -0.32 | -0.25 |
| Angels | 4374 | 44 | 44.74 | -0.74 | -0.555 | -0.51 | -0.44 |
| Blue Jays | 4215 | 57 | 57.84 | -0.84 | -0.63 | -0.6 | -0.53 |
| White Sox | 4409 | 39 | 39.88 | -0.88 | -0.66 | -0.6 | -0.53 |
| Tigers | 4536 | 58 | 59.27 | -1.27 | -0.9525 | -0.84 | -0.77 |
| Giants | 4232 | 48 | 49.8 | -1.8 | -1.35 | -1.28 | -1.21 |
| Rays | 4264 | 50 | 51.91 | -1.91 | -1.4325 | -1.34 | -1.27 |
| Red Sox | 4232 | 51 | 53.09 | -2.09 | -1.5675 | -1.48 | -1.41 |
| Royals | 4413 | 49 | 51.24 | -2.24 | -1.68 | -1.52 | -1.45 |
| Marlins | 4338 | 58 | 60.75 | -2.75 | -2.0625 | -1.9 | -1.83 |
| Indians | 4513 | 45 | 47.9 | -2.9 | -2.175 | -1.93 | -1.86 |
| Cardinals | 4597 | 47 | 50.66 | -3.66 | -2.745 | -2.39 | -2.32 |
| Athletics | 4285 | 28 | 31.42 | -3.42 | -2.565 | -2.39 | -2.32 |
| Reds | 4299 | 52 | 60.3 | -8.3 | -6.225 | -5.79 | -5.72 |
| Cubs | 4156 | 42 | 51.03 | -9.03 | -6.7725 | -6.52 | -6.45 |
| Player | In Play | Actual Outs | Predicted Outs | Outs Delta | Runs Delta | Runs / 4000 |
RAA / 4000 |
| Wil Nieves | 1327 | 14 | 9.94 | 4.06 | 3.045 | 9.18 | 9.25 |
| Kevin Cash | 1131 | 14 | 10.77 | 3.23 | 2.4225 | 8.57 | 8.64 |
| Carlos Ruiz | 2517 | 42 | 36.54 | 5.46 | 4.095 | 6.51 | 6.58 |
| J.R. Towles | 1252 | 8 | 6.01 | 1.99 | 1.4925 | 4.77 | 4.84 |
| Chris Iannetta | 2633 | 35 | 30.83 | 4.17 | 3.1275 | 4.75 | 4.82 |
| Jason Kendall | 3988 | 67 | 60.93 | 6.07 | 4.5525 | 4.57 | 4.64 |
| Ryan Doumit | 2933 | 31 | 26.57 | 4.43 | 3.3225 | 4.53 | 4.6 |
| Humberto Quintero | 1321 | 15 | 13.41 | 1.59 | 1.1925 | 3.61 | 3.68 |
| Jason LaRue | 1288 | 16 | 14.58 | 1.42 | 1.065 | 3.31 | 3.38 |
| Victor Martinez | 1388 | 16 | 14.48 | 1.52 | 1.14 | 3.29 | 3.36 |
| Gregg Zaun | 1807 | 30 | 28.04 | 1.96 | 1.47 | 3.25 | 3.32 |
| Ramon Castro | 1041 | 14 | 12.97 | 1.03 | 0.7725 | 2.97 | 3.04 |
| Joe Mauer | 3805 | 41 | 37.6 | 3.4 | 2.55 | 2.68 | 2.75 |
| Guillermo Quiroz | 1176 | 8 | 7.01 | 0.99 | 0.7425 | 2.53 | 2.6 |
| Dioner Navarro | 2911 | 38 | 35.59 | 2.41 | 1.8075 | 2.48 | 2.55 |
| Ivan Rodriguez | 2947 | 42 | 39.65 | 2.35 | 1.7625 | 2.39 | 2.46 |
| Jeff Mathis | 2351 | 33 | 31.46 | 1.54 | 1.155 | 1.97 | 2.04 |
| Brian Schneider | 2575 | 30 | 28.52 | 1.48 | 1.11 | 1.72 | 1.79 |
| Josh Bard | 1253 | 21 | 20.28 | 0.72 | 0.54 | 1.72 | 1.79 |
| Ramon Hernandez | 3272 | 33 | 32.09 | 0.91 | 0.6825 | 0.83 | 0.9 |
| Miguel Montero | 1191 | 15 | 14.77 | 0.23 | 0.1725 | 0.58 | 0.65 |
| Chris Snyder | 2733 | 33 | 32.54 | 0.46 | 0.345 | 0.5 | 0.57 |
| Brad Ausmus | 1719 | 18 | 17.82 | 0.18 | 0.135 | 0.31 | 0.38 |
| Jarrod Saltalamacchia | 1470 | 17 | 16.85 | 0.15 | 0.1125 | 0.31 | 0.38 |
| Gerald Laird | 2419 | 24 | 23.76 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.3 | 0.37 |
| Jose Molina | 2152 | 23 | 22.8 | 0.2 | 0.15 | 0.28 | 0.35 |
| Brandon Inge | 1541 | 21 | 21.16 | -0.16 | -0.12 | -0.31 | -0.24 |
| A.J. Pierzynski | 3428 | 31 | 31.53 | -0.53 | -0.3975 | -0.46 | -0.39 |
| Kurt Suzuki | 3608 | 25 | 26.45 | -1.45 | -1.0875 | -1.21 | -1.14 |
| John Buck | 2902 | 30 | 31.39 | -1.39 | -1.0425 | -1.44 | -1.37 |
| Brian McCann | 3470 | 49 | 50.81 | -1.81 | -1.3575 | -1.56 | -1.49 |
| Miguel Olivo | 1509 | 19 | 19.85 | -0.85 | -0.6375 | -1.69 | -1.62 |
| Yorvit Torrealba | 1819 | 21 | 22.19 | -1.19 | -0.8925 | -1.96 | -1.89 |
| Nick Hundley | 1482 | 18 | 19.13 | -1.13 | -0.8475 | -2.29 | -2.22 |
| Matt Treanor | 1561 | 23 | 24.36 | -1.36 | -1.02 | -2.61 | -2.54 |
| Bengie Molina | 3272 | 36 | 39 | -3 | -2.25 | -2.75 | -2.68 |
| Jesus Flores | 2116 | 13 | 15.03 | -2.03 | -1.5225 | -2.88 | -2.81 |
| Russell Martin | 3655 | 31 | 34.63 | -3.63 | -2.7225 | -2.98 | -2.91 |
| Geovany Soto | 3302 | 34 | 37.47 | -3.47 | -2.6025 | -3.15 | -3.08 |
| Mike Napoli | 1931 | 10 | 12.08 | -2.08 | -1.56 | -3.23 | -3.16 |
| Rod Barajas | 2262 | 24 | 26.6 | -2.6 | -1.95 | -3.45 | -3.38 |
| Kenji Johjima | 2617 | 20 | 23.53 | -3.53 | -2.6475 | -4.05 | -3.98 |
| Yadier Molina | 3185 | 29 | 34.24 | -5.24 | -3.93 | -4.94 | -4.87 |
| Jason Varitek | 3002 | 37 | 42.26 | -5.26 | -3.945 | -5.26 | -5.19 |
| Paul Bako | 2272 | 20 | 24.25 | -4.25 | -3.1875 | -5.61 | -5.54 |
| Chris Coste | 1853 | 15 | 18.62 | -3.62 | -2.715 | -5.86 | -5.79 |
| John Baker | 1477 | 13 | 15.96 | -2.96 | -2.22 | -6.01 | -5.94 |
| Kelly Shoppach | 2774 | 25 | 30.66 | -5.66 | -4.245 | -6.12 | -6.05 |
| David Ross | 1238 | 17 | 19.96 | -2.96 | -2.22 | -7.17 | -7.1 |
| Shawn Riggans | 1041 | 11 | 14.08 | -3.08 | -2.31 | -8.88 | -8.81 |
It's important to identify that these numbers only take into account a catcher's fielding. In other words, all we're looking at are bunts, nubbers and foul balls. Controlling the running game, calling pitches and blocking the ball aren't included here. Since catchers handle so few plays, these numbers really shouldn't be taken as gospel. Also, I've assumed that every play a catcher doesn't convert becomes a single, so each play made is an additional .75 runs (the value of an out minus the value of a single).
Because of the uncertainty included in such a small sample, there's really not a whole lot to say. People often talk about Jarrod Saltalamacchia having to be moved to first base, but he rated pretty close to average in this piece of catcher defense. Yadier Molina, who's generally considered a very strong defensive catcher, didn't do that well fielding balls in play, at nearly 5 runs below average. Jason Varitek didn't just lose a lot at the plate, he performed poorly in front of it as well, scoring 5 runs below average. I'm sure a lot of Red Sox fans are hoping the captain can turn it around next season. Chris Iannetta looks like a star in the making if he can keep it up, with his 127 OPS+ and nearly 5 runs saved above average fielding balls.
For those who are interested in catcher's defense, I'll be releasing the 2008 results for Catcher Block Percentage soon after Retrosheet releases their 2008 play-by-play data. Keep an eye out for it.
I'll also be posting the full spreadsheet used for the PMR calculations in the next day or so. I plan to attempt some additional analysis using some more historical data, and may even get into PMR projections.