Why aren't catchers better hitters?

Question

You would think all catchers would be great hitters becuase they see all the pitches. Why aren't they better hitters?

Answer 1

These answers nailed it pretty well.

Catching is the most difficult position to play, defensively, in the major leagues. It's the only position at which a player from another position can not just step in an play at the major league level.

Normally, throughout baseball history, the greater the defensive skills required to play a position, the weaker those players NORMALLY were as hitters...there were exceptions, such as Yogi Berra, Johnny Bench, Roy Campanella, and a number of others... however, because the defensive demands of certain positions are so high, teams would sometimes have to settle for a player who could play the position well, even if he wasn't that great of a hitter. This also explains why shortstops, historically, were the worst hitters on most teams, even great teams.

Today, with juiced players, juiced baseballs, non-existent strike zones, and smaller parks, EVERYBODY hits, even shortstops..

In addition, this explains why first baseman have been among the best hitters on their teams over the years...first base is easy to play at the major league level (relatively speaking, compared to other positions), so it's easy to find a player who can play first base and also hit.

Basically, the amount of defensive skill required to play a postion is ranked as follows:

1. Catcher
2. Shortstop
3. Second Base
4. Center Field
5. Third Base
6. Left Field
7. Right Field
8. First Base
9. Pitcher

Historically, it's been a question of how much offense a team is willing to give up in order to get a player who can play the position defensively... again, this is why the lower number positions, at the top of the list, historically, haven't hit as well as the higher numbered positions at the bottom (pitchers excluded of course).

This doesn't mean that there aren't center fielders who could hit (Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Tris Speaker, Ty Cobb, etc), it's just looking at the average player at each position.

Answer 2

Because the catcher's position generally puts a higher premium on defensive rather than offensive skills.

A good catcher that can get the most out of a rotation is a highly sought after commodity. Teams will look past a mediocre batting average if a guy can follow a curve or catch a knuckleball and throw out 40% of the guys trying to steal.

There have been some good offensive catchers as well. Joe Mauer proved that this year.

Answer 3

well, most catchers are valued far more for their ability to manage a game, throw out runners, and block pitches in the dirt. a catcher who hits 25 HRs isn't much good if he allows every base runner to steal and doesn't block any wild pitches. and just because they see what their pitchers throw doesn't mean that catchers know how the other pitcher thinks. by your logic pitchers should actually be the best hitters. there are some great-hitting catchers, but not many. another big factor is the toll on the body that catching takes, your knees get shot to h*ll pretty fast

Answer 4

There has been such a shortage of catchers, beginning at the high school level, that teams have been forced into taking guys that have strong defensive skills regardless of their offensive skills. Talk to any college coach and he'll tell you the same thing; a catcher with decent hitting skills can pretty much write their own ticket. I recently sent my son to college and for the last four years we've had no less than fifteen college coaches with their heads up his butt for months because he's got good catching skills as well as excellent batting mechanics.

On a personal note, I think that the decline of offensive catchers is due to the fact that kids are forced to "specialize" way too early. I've seen ten year olds with personal trainers that they see three or four times a week to work on their catching skills. I've seen parents shell out $1000 a month for lessons, and they don't bother with a hitting coach. Their only concern is the all mighty "pop time". It's quite frightening actually - let them be kids and play pick up at the park, there's plenty of time for lessons later (if they want them!).

Answer 5

This article discusses why pitchers can't hit, but it also applies to catchers.

Pitchers are essentially defensive players, and are selected for their defensive skills. No pitcher ever got called up to the majors because he was a great hitter. Ditto for shortstops and catchers, also not noted for their prowess at the plate.

Outfielders aren't in on every play, so they can survive in the big leagues with mediocre defensive skills as long as they can crank out the hits or homers. Pitchers don't have that luxury. So you get guys who can pitch it through a brick wall but can't hit in triple digits.

Also, catchers work really hard. They are squatting up and down all game long and throw 10 times as much as anyone else.

There have been great at bat catchers too.. Mike Piazza, Yogi Berra, Joe Torre! :)

Answer 6

Catchers that play are on a team for 3 reasons....to call a game, to play defense and to hit. It is in that order, so it is the least important part of a major league catchers making the bigs.

Answer 7

actually catchers used to be the best hitters in the league like johhny bench who actually wrote a book called "catching and power hitting" and mike piazza used to be a good hitter... now days though they seem to look more for the better arm to second base and rely on their infield and out field to hit... another thing is that when you catch a game you get worn out from squatting all the time... plus you throw as many times as all the pitchers combined...

Answer 8

Johnny Bench Mike Piazza, Yogi Berra, Ivan Caludrone not a shabby list right there. Just because a catcher catches them doesn't mean he can't see whats coming. Picthers all they do is whine about their pitiful 5 billion doallar contracts while getting taped up from their latest 15 day dl bound blister on their pathetic fingers.

Answer 9

i think the answer is the physical and emotional toll catching takes on them. They have to call all the pitches and squatting all game takes a toll on the legs. They just might not have the best legs to hit.

Answer 10

Don't know, because I would think pitchers would be better hitters because of the way they think.