Just Walk Away, René?

[Edgy MD]

So, this Rivera guy? Is he, or should he be, the designated Syndercatcher at this point? If you've got to deploy him one game in five, is that the way to do it? And if he is, what does that mean when d'Arnie comes back, assuming he's on his way back?

(Bonus Ashie reply: "He's never coming back.")

Terry apparently paired them initially to combat the running game that teams were deploying against the big guy. But now, it looks like it's been a benevolent pairing overall.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

YUGE walk last night to set up Syndy's fireworks. And that was after being made to look like the worst hitter in MLB history in the previous turn at the dish.

[Centerfield]

Got a nice arm, quick release.

Is his throwing much better than Plawecki though? I feel like Kevin is pretty quick with the release.

Maybe it's just that I'm comparing him to TdA.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I don't think Plawecki is an especially strong defender, average maybe. He got here with his bat, like dArnaud did. He needs to hit.

[Edgy MD]

Strong or not, Plawecki's metrics were surprisingly off the charts last year. That may well speak for the persistent unreliability of catcher defensive metrics, or simply (I suspect) the staff coming on strong during d'Arnaud's absence in the midseason, but it's there.

[Ceetar]

It's just about completely worthless garbage, but it's not like Thor's numbers are better with Rivera.

I mean, he had a 15:1 K/BB rate with d'Arnaud. He was pitching better, of course, that was just true in general.

As Ron pointed out last night, Thor was doing things like holding the ball longer. On that nice Walker dive where he got Puig at second, Ron pointed out how Puig was moving the other direction because Syndergaard had held onto the ball a little longer and basically deked Puig into thinking he was going to throw over. That's possibly first and second no outs otherwise and really had nothing to do with the catcher.

Thor's next game is Tuesday after a day off, a night game, against division rivals. You can't play Rivera over Plawecki in those three games. You want the bat.

[Edgy MD]

We don't really know at all if that had nothing to do with the catcher.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: We don't really know at all if that had nothing to do with the catcher.

I've never heard of a catcher controlling pacing.

[Guest themetfairy]

Rivera has been around. He was with the Buffalo Bisons in 2009 when they were a Mets farm team and in Trenton the following year. It's nice that he's getting some big league time, but he's not here to stay.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy MD wrote: We don't really know at all if that had nothing to do with the catcher. I've never heard of a catcher controlling pacing.

Pacing the Game and Coordinating with the Pitcher Along with giving signs and controlling the field, the catcher can also be in control of the pace of the game. Pitchers are more effective when they can throw as few pitches as possible and in younger teams, pitch count is watched closely. The pitcher and catcher should talk about the desired pace of the game, especially if the pitcher likes to take his time. The catcher can make the calls slowly, unless the pitcher is in the zone and is pitching well. The catcher needs to be aware of the pace of the game and make sure the calls keep the game moving at the desired pace. Catchers also need to know when the pitcher needs a break, which is the perfect time for the catcher to step out to the mound and have a quick chat with the pitcher. If the game is getting out of control for the pitcher, this is the perfect time for the catcher to visit the mound and give a pep talk to the pitcher.

So, cool, now you've heard.

[Ceetar]

That's not exactly the major leagues. It also only talks about stuff that happens before a runner would even attempt to steal.

Once Thor is set, Rivera isn't giving him the "wait wait wait wait..okay throw!" signal. Were he to give a signal, it'd be readable by the offense too.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: That's not exactly the major leagues.

But... now you've heard. You can never again say, "I've never heard of a catcher controlling pacing."

Those halcyon days of innocence are gone. Catchers can control pacing. Right there in black and white.

Catchers have been guiding pitchers on pacing since forever, helping them speed up when they're in a rhythm, slowing them down when they're scuffling, and helping them mix it up to keep batters and runners off balance. It's a common part of the game.

[Centerfield]

I wonder how many will be de-flowered in this thread.