I have grown tired of Martin Maldonado

I would add Clifford to Diaz and Gilbert and be willing to trade anyone else in the minors plus Myers and Jules plus any of the minor leaguers we currently have called up.

 

I'd rather not lose Spencer A either, but he's not untouchable or anything.

 

Diaz isn't allowed to catch Javier very often.

 

Diaz is not catching Javier as often as Maldy. Diaz appears better than Maldy at throwing, but most of the problems with base stealing with Maldy behind the plate is not Maldy.

 

So it's the pitchers' fault that Maldy can't throw anyone out anymore. Got it.

 

Maldy does not throw near as good as he used to, but watching the stolen bases, nearly every runner gets crazy good jumps. I am looking for any stats or metrics I can find.


69 catchers have had 5+ SB attempts.

Maldy
11 have a better pop time to 2nd base
14 have a better exchange
12 have a stronger arm. ( by mph)
He is exactly average in accuracy.
He is 1% above average in CT st.

Diaz's
6 have a better pop time to 2nd base
60 have faster exchange
3 have a stronger arm (mph)
He gets a +2 on accuracy.
He is 27% above average in CT st.

The biggest difference between Maldy throwing out runners in 2023 is the lead/jump the runners get.

On attempts against him the average distance to 2b a runner had in 2022 was 56.3 ft. It is 53.6 ft in 2023. Runners are starting an average of 2.7 ft closer to 2nd.

FYI runners start an average of 52.5 ft from 2nd on Yainer's attempts so they are even closer but his superior arm is enough.

OUT OF ALL 69 CATCHERS, THOSE ARE THE 2 WORST IN ALL OF BASEBALL.

Astros pitchers are terrible at holding runners.

 

Just to clarify those are not starting distances, but the average distance a runner is from 2b when the pitch crosses the plate getting to the catcher.

56.0 ft is MLB average.

My bad.

 

So does that mean the Astros are holding runners better than the ML average?

 

You got it backwards. The closer you are to second the lower the number is.

 

Yeah...I was reading that as 56 feet from first as opposed to 56 feet away from second.

 

Diaz seems to be able to overcome this.

 

Diaz has amazing arm talent (to borrow a football phrase) he has been able to throw out runners DESPITE this huge handicap.

If he can improve his exchange at all he will be among the absolute best in MLB.

But it is clearly a handicap put on the catchers by the pitchers.

Maldy no longer has Diaz's ability but is still better than average in throws. All he needs is the pitchers to give him a chance but they are hurting him.

 

I wouldn't say that he's still better than avg.

 

The mental gymnastics needed to defend Maldy, just incredible

 

The stats say different.

12th out of 69 in pop time
15th out of 69 in exchange
13th out of 69 in arm strength.
Exactly average in +/- accuracy

 

I'm looking at results, you're looking at stats.

BTW, I would be good with Maldy starting a couple of games a week. I think he could become a more productive player.

 

Thank you for this.

It's been obvious, but thank you

 

The results are not 100% in his hands nor 100% his fault.

 

Especially if he only played against LHP.

 

Agreed, however one seems to be doing a much better job than the other. Lower ERA, less PB's, Throwing out a greater numbers of baserunners etc.. Playing Maldy as much as Dusty does isn't right for Maldy.