Do Catchers Have an ERA?

[poodski]

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...JjZWQtMWRlMGI4ZTFmZmI2&hl=en&authkey=CP6e9_YK

Thats from The Hardball Times Baseball Annual 2011. Its a REALLY good book and you should consider buying it anyhow, but that's an article on catcher ERA. It doesn't prove it exists, but it proves that it's at least plausible that it exists.

I talked about it in another thread, thought you all might like to read it.

 

[Jntg4]

They affect ERA, but a good catcher on a bad catching team would still have a higher cERA than a bad catcher on a good pitching team.

It can be used to compare two catchers on the same, but won't be accurate when they are from different teams.

 

[poodski]

They affect ERA, but a good catcher on a bad catching team would still have a higher cERA than a bad catcher on a good pitching team.

It can be used to compare two catchers on the same, but won't be accurate when they are from different teams.

I dont think anyone is trying to say that taking Yadier Molina to Arizona turns them all into aces, its just saying that it is possible for certain catchers to catch better than others.

But just to look at Koyie Hill and Geo Soto:

2010: Soto 4.26 ERA Hill 4.06 ERA
2009: Soto 3.98 ERA Hill 3.69 ERA

Hill had a better ERA both years. Is there something to it? Maybe not, but there is at least some consistency. Especially when you look at the Angels with Mathis and Napoli.