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Wolters’ catching prowess is well-received
- Updated: January 4, 2017
DENVER — Catcher Tony Wolters joined the Rockies as a waiver claim last February, but by the end of his rookie season in the Majors, he had become a folk hero in the science of pitch-framing.
According to Baseball Prospectus, Wolters finished fifth in the Majors in called strikes above average at .017. That means out of every 100 pitches, his ability to handle borderline pitches amounted to just under two extra strikes. But Wolters, who was claimed from the Indians at the start of Spring Training last year, sees pitch-framing as a flesh-and-blood act, not just a soulless calculation.
“I think it’s kind of in that awkward stage, like, ‘Is this really going to be something, pitch-framing?’ But I think it truly is,” Wolters said. “It makes the game more competitive. It’s a cool new little stat thing. I appreciate it. I have fun with it, because I want to get better.”
As the roster stands, Wolters and rookies Tom Murphy and Dustin Garneau are candidates for the Rockies’ split of catching duties. The Rockies don’t lean on one catcher — Yorvit Torrealba caught 112 games in 2007 and no Rockies catcher has exceeded that since, but last season 11 teams had catchers exceed 112 games. But a skill such as pitch-framing could help Wolters earn more than the 59 games he saw last season.
Wolters discussed what he believes are factors — beyond just catching the ball — in which his receiving can help pitchers.
Inhale … exhale: “One of the biggest things to me is breathing when you’re back there,” Wolters said. “When you’re breathing slow, nice and easy, you slow the pitch down when it’s coming to you. When I’m catching bullpens, that’s the first thing I focus on, my breathing. You can get all out of whack …
