Yesterday, we compared Jason Motte’s 2012 results as the closer of the St. Louis Cardinals to other ninth-inning men across Major League Baseball.
Reader Nutlaw took my point about Motte’s tied-for-worst nine home runs allowed this season and dug a bit deeper. He discovered that Motte’s last five home runs given up occurred with reserve catcher Tony Cruz behind the plate.
I checked with researcher Tom Orf as to the granularity of pitching stats broken out by catchers. He was able to provide the following view of the Cardinals catching corps since Molina became a major leaguer in 2004.
| Pitching Stats | Pitching Stats | |||||||||||||
| Through 9/9 | Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | ||||
| 2012 | Yadier Molina | 29 | 4151 | 77.7% | 3.66 | 3.97 | 2007 | Yadier Molina | 24 | 3729 | 59.4% | 4.29 | 4.78 | |
| 2012 | Tony Cruz | 25 | 1153 | 21.6% | 4.38 | 4.58 | 2007 | Gary Bennett | 35 | 1648 | 26.2% | 5.20 | 5.88 | |
| 2012 | Bryan Anderson | 25 | 39 | 0.7% | 4.50 | 4.50 | 2007 | Kelly Stinnett | 37 | 902 | 14.4% | 5.14 | 5.76 | |
| 2012 | League Average | 3.98 | 4.34 | 2007 | Brian Esposito | 28 | 4 | 0.1% | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| 2012 | Team Total | 5343 | 100.0% | 3.82 | 4.10 | 2007 | League Average | 4.43 | 4.80 | |||||
| 2007 | Team Total | 6283 | 100.0% | 4.65 | 5.20 | |||||||||
| Pitching Stats | ||||||||||||||
| Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | Pitching Stats | |||||||||
| 2011 | Yadier Molina | 28 | 4896 | 78.8% | 3.80 | 4.32 | Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | |||
| 2011 | Gerald Laird | 31 | 900 | 14.5% | 3.80 | 4.31 | 2006 | Yadier Molina | 23 | 4477 | 72.3% | 4.52 | 4.76 | |
| 2011 | Tony Cruz | 24 | 415 | 6.7% | 3.00 | 3.45 | 2006 | Gary Bennett | 34 | 1691 | 27.3% | 4.60 | 4.90 | |
| 2011 | League Average | 3.81 | 4.17 | 2006 | Mike Rose | 29 | 28 | 0.5% | 3.86 | 3.86 | ||||
| 2011 | Team Total | 6211 | 100.0% | 3.74 | 4.26 | 2006 | League Average | 4.49 | 4.88 | |||||
| 2006 | Team Total | 6196 | 100.0% | 4.54 | 4.80 | |||||||||
| Pitching Stats | ||||||||||||||
| Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | Pitching Stats | |||||||||
| 2010 | Yadier Molina | 27 | 4735 | 77.2% | 3.23 | 3.63 | Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | |||
| 2010 | Jason LaRue | 36 | 688 | 11.2% | 5.45 | 5.87 | 2005 | Yadier Molina | 22 | 3975 | 65.7% | 3.39 | 3.80 | |
| 2010 | Matt Pagnozzi | 27 | 440 | 7.2% | 3.06 | 3.40 | 2005 | Einar Diaz | 32 | 1303 | 21.5% | 3.76 | 4.39 | |
| 2010 | Bryan Anderson | 23 | 257 | 4.2% | 6.38 | 6.87 | 2005 | Mike Mahoney | 32 | 769 | 12.7% | 3.56 | 3.99 | |
| 2010 | Steven Hill | 25 | 15 | 0.2% | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2005 | League Average | 4.22 | 4.57 | ||||
| 2010 | Nick Stavinoha | 28 | 2 | 0.0% | 27.00 | 27.00 | 2005 | Team Total | 6047 | 100.0% | 3.49 | 3.95 | ||
| 2010 | League Average | 4.02 | 4.40 | |||||||||||
| 2010 | Team Total | 6137 | 100.0% | 3.57 | 3.97 | Pitching Stats | ||||||||
| Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | ||||||||||
| Pitching Stats | 2004 | Mike Matheny | 33 | 4120 | 67.5% | 3.88 | 4.21 | |||||||
| Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | 2004 | Yadier Molina | 21 | 1445 | 23.7% | 3.64 | 3.98 | |||
| 2009 | Yadier Molina | 26 | 4931 | 81.0% | 3.48 | 3.72 | 2004 | Cody McKay | 30 | 539 | 8.8% | 3.00 | 3.41 | |
| 2009 | Jason LaRue | 35 | 1109 | 18.2% | 4.46 | 5.28 | 2004 | League Average | 4.30 | 4.69 | ||||
| 2009 | Matt Pagnozzi | 26 | 39 | 0.6% | 3.00 | 3.00 | 2004 | Team Total | 6104 | 100.0% | 3.75 | 4.08 | ||
| 2009 | David Freese | 26 | 8 | 0.1% | 18.00 | 18.00 | ||||||||
| 2009 | League Average | 4.19 | 4.53 | |||||||||||
| 2009 | Team Total | 6087 | 100.0% | 3.66 | 4.00 | |||||||||
| Pitching Stats | ||||||||||||||
| Age | PA | PA% | ERA | RAvg | ||||||||||
| 2008 | Yadier Molina | 25 | 4329 | 69.1% | 4.20 | 4.49 | ||||||||
| 2008 | Jason LaRue | 34 | 1758 | 28.1% | 4.24 | 4.57 | ||||||||
| 2008 | Mark Johnson | 32 | 177 | 2.8% | 3.38 | 3.60 | ||||||||
| League Average | 4.29 | 4.66 | ||||||||||||
| Team Total | 6264 | 100.0% | 4.19 | 4.49 | ||||||||||
My first observation is that Molina has caught about the same share of opposing hitter plate appearances this season as he did in the last three or four years – just short of 80 percent.
However, apparently because there has been no third catcher this season until very recently, Cruz has been behind the plate for more plate appearances than the normal Cardinal reserve – at least recently. His 21.7% rate is the most for the Cardinals non-starter since Jason LaRue in 2008.
Unfortunately, we cannot see number of home runs allowed or total runs scored while each catcher was behind the plate. We can tell the overall result. Cruz’ “catcher’s ERA” of 4.38 is not only higher than Molina’s, it is above the league average.
That is not unusual, however. While Gerald Laird’s catcher’s ERA last season was equivalent to Molina’s, just as often, the backup catcher had a much higher catcher’s ERA than Molina.
The far right column includes unearned runs. I don’t have any conclusions to draw about that, other than to note that Cruz’ numbers do not seem out of line.
In summary, I don’t see enough here to hang anything more on Cruz. Even if more home runs are being scored during his time in the game, which we don’t know, total runs scored don’t look unusual.
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I just got home from chasing preschoolers all day so I am only here in exhausted form. My response to all this is what does this “catchers ERA” entail anyway? Is it just a measure of runs scored while the catcher was behind the plate or is there some tweaking done to account for those things that a catcher does in particular? If it is just straight runs scored, then I don’t see how it tells anything about the catcher, because how do you know it wasn’t mostly the result of the way the pitcher threw the pitch?
No tweaking. Simply runs scored while catcher in game. There is a reason this stat is not widely used, but it is what it is. Remember the context of why I even looked into this.
There may be a difference in how a game is called by the catcher during innings 1-8 and in a ninth inning save situation. Just like closing is a specialty, calling for a closer may require something more. Perhaps Cruz is not there yet.
Same lineup as yesterday except Skip for DD.
Beltran hitting 2nd again. Hopefully, Adam will pitch a complete game and MM will never have to decide anything.
Very interesting data! Thanks for getting it pulled together!
I think that this mass of data would suggest that Molina is a more effective catcher than other Cardinal options throughout his career (besides Laird and maybe Pagnozzi), unless we think that the backup catchers were getting saddled with worse pitchers.
I’m very certain that Cruz (or whoever calls pitches for him?) is choosing the wrong ones for Motte. That doesn’t mean that he’s choosing the wrong ones for anyone else. Do we know Motte’s catcher by catcher data? (This season or career?)
The team looks like the walking dead out there. They’re done.
Brain dead certainly.
Early on Volquez was having trouble throwing strikes but our hitters just wouldn’t take advantage of it by making him throw a stike. In the most glaring example he had thrown 4 straight to walk Freese and load the bases, then threw one to Yadi. So standing there with the sacks jammed, a 1-0 count against a guy who had thrown 5 balls in a row, Yadi doesn’t take one but instead chases a borderline low one. Then does the same on the next one. Unbelievable.
Other examples were plentiful early on. I’m convinced Yadi, and the others, had no idea Volquez was struggling to throw strikes. There is no other explaination. Obviously, niether they, nor anyone else was paying attention and had their head in the game.
Later, no one should have had to tell Wainy, or Yadi for that matter, to pitch around the 8th hitter and face Volquez, instead of giving up a triple. Its not like his command and control were dead on.
Skip has a very strong arm, so why doesn’t he play back a few steps so as to increase his range? It wouldn’t hurt Freese to do the same.
Perhaps Jackson will get a shot now, after Kozma’s error opened the flood gate.
I’m convinced Matheny has a stubborn streak, which is why he continues to repeat strategies that fail. Kozma will continue to play because Matheny has committed himself to playing him, even if he sucks.
My wish lists are:
1. Institute a moratorium on bunting. Even in the tiny amount of instances where it is warranted, this team sucks at it.
2. Set Beltran’s butt on the bench and put Craig in RF and MCarp at 1B.
3. Put Ryan Jackson at SS full time.
4. Use DD, Skip and Kozma at 2B depending on matchups.
5. And in the name of all that is holy, do not pitch Jaime Garcia on the road until they figure out what the hell his problem is. Get him a shrink or a shaman or maybe a couple of Xanax, whatever it takes.
Do these guys even watch themselves on video? If they do, how can they continue to swing at crappy pitches out of the strike zone and not be embarrassed? You know, if the pitch is a foot off the plate or in the dirt, it is a good thing not to swing at it. Hello.
For once, I agree with everything you said. However ;/ I would question how much comes down from above, and how much is Matheny.
Do you really think the front office is telling Matheny when to bunt or make pitching changes? C’mon, now…
Not inning by inning, or game by game. I was talking more about the hard headed persistance in sticking with failed strategies.
1. Yes, there have been several bad bunting calls and bad actual bunts. I realize part of it is because the offense has been so weak at times and the team is desperate to get on the board, but it needs to stop.
2. Agreed. He’s not contributing offensively enough (or at all) to make up for his weak defense.
3. I think that’s a good call.
4. Agreed as well.
5. Maybe sacrifice a chicken in the clubhouse? Or perhaps just a bucket of KFC?
5. I think the 2011 Red Sox tried that, with beer, too. Their reward was Bobby Valentine.
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL to both!
Yes, agreed on all points.
Is xanax a PFD?
Post got ate by filter monster.
I think you said the word, “butt”…
Well the other word I was thinking of wouldn’t have made it either.
In an effort to distract from St. Louis again, Springfield won 5-0 last night with a great outing from Carlos Martinez. I will be going to the game tonight, so hopefully they can head to Frisco up 2-0.
Also, TLR was in Springfield and met with the players after the game. Still not completely sure the official reason, but a cool thing for them either way.
Have fun 66. If possible, an in-game update or two would be great. I’d love to be there, I could really, really go for a well played game of baseball right about now.
Maybe Tony will drop by here and give the big boys a pep talk.
Yes, enjoy. If TLR is around, Dunc can’t be far away.
I did take pictures at last Saturday’s game, I just haven’t gotten around to uploading them until now.
https://picasaweb.google.com/111205811395517988427/SpringfieldVTulsaGame4Playoff?authkey=Gv1sRgCPW7lOO98M2jtwE
The Tulsa player is Troy Tulowitski.
Greg Garcia grabbed his crotch almost every time I took a shot of him. I wasn’t aiming for the crotch shot I swear, he just moved his hand there when I pressed the shutter. Maybe his teammates gave him a pregame wedgie.
I didn’t take as many pictures as I usually do, because I was concentrating on the game and the lighting wasn’t ideal anyway.
Thank you for sharing!
“The Cardinals have committed 50 errors since July 1 and, as was the case Tuesday, have been forgiven several more due to their infielders’ limited range.”
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/defense-betrays-cardinals-in-loss-to-padres/article_92a307b4-61dd-57bb-80cb-e7bb3ad64bc9.html
Given the organizational focus on pitch to contact /ground ball for several years, at least, the persistance of the infield defensive issue is illogical. An organizational disconnect? It seems obvious the first cannot work without the last.
Perhaps the emergence of Jay looking like he can lead off will eliminate the necessity for having a middle infielder that can also do that too. That might simplify things somewhat. A hot SS batting 8th would not be a non-starter. But, of course, that hasn’t translated into seeing what we have in Jackson.
MCarp in RF, DD at 2nd, air mail boy at SS (again). (I am expecting Matheny to explain how Craig was told to hold back on his verticle leaping to protect the knee. I swear I would not be at all surprised.) (To be fair, that will just be the explaination given to him to pass along.)
There is nothing MCarp can do tonight, nothing at all, that will get him more playing time at the expense of .260 boy. I can give you 13 million reasons why, none having to do with winning.
Go Birds!!!!
And do not blame beer for Bobby Valentine, it was the chicken.
Like I said, Matheny will continue to play Kozma because that’s what he does. And he is going to start Garcia on Saturday (per Strauss today) come hell or high water. Can’t let winning the game stand in the way of Garcia’s confidence, psyche, mojo, whatever. Thank you Sigmund Freud Matheny.
There’s maybe nothing that Carpenter can do to get an every day job, but going 2 for 4 with a HR and looking like the only bat worth a darn on the team has to be a step in the right direction.
Beltran will be back in RF tomorrow. (13 million reasons) Maybe MCarp will spell Craig.
I love the part about bunting with the .320 hitter who has been one of the better clutch hitters. They teach that at manager school now, I guess.
I have no words for the management of that inning. I am stupified.
I wanted to see Curly Joe step into the on deck circle.
It is reported Matheny didn’t call for the sac bunt, Molina decided it was his job to advance the runner.
Stick a fork in them. at this rate i will be surprised to see the team win 6 more games to stay .500.
Disgusting.