Catchers
Arm strength, player presence on the field, istinctive, competitive, poised and leader are words to describe successful catchers.
The ability to receive and handle the game separates the good from the great catchers.
A common misconception about catchers is that they are able to succeed without being able to hit. That is not necessarily true. Players with the longest careers can produce offensively.
A catcher's tools are ranked in the following order:
1. Throwing - good arm
2. Fielding - soft hands, ability to block ball in dirt
3. Hitting
4. Power
5. Running - not that improtant for a catcher but cant be a base clogger
6th tool must be present in a catcher. Must be a good thinker.
*Fielding and throwing can sometimes be reversed in order of importance depending on the scout's personal preference.
The catcher must be durable and is responsible for the teams defense. A catcher needs soft hands , quick feet and the ability to block pitches in the dirt. A good catcher can catch and throw to second base under 1.90 seconds , some catchers can break 1.75 seconds.
Catchers Release Times to Second Base (MLB scale 2-8, 8 being the highest grade)
8: 1.74 seconds - below
7: 1.75-1.79 seconds
6: 1.80-1.84 seconds
5: 1.85-1.90 seconds
4: 1.91-1.99 seconds
3: 2.0-2.1 seconds
2: 2.3-above seconds