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Atlanta Braves: who are the team’s best pitch-framing catchers?

By Dalton Skaggs

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 20: Tyler Flowers
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 20: Tyler Flowers /
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ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 25: Carlos Gomez #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers is confranted at home plate by Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a first inning home run at Turner Field on September 25, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 25: Carlos Gomez #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers is confranted at home plate by Brian McCann #16 of the Atlanta Braves after hitting a first inning home run at Turner Field on September 25, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Brian McCann: rankings in framing from 2007 to 2014 w/ ATL:

  • 2007 – #6 in zBall% (18.7), #17 in oStr% (9.9), #3 in +Calls (119), #15 in PerGame (1.51), #3 in RAA (15.9).
  • 2008 – #4 in zBall% (14.6), #3 in oStr% (10.4), #2 in +Calls (327), #2 in PerGame (2.51), #2 in RAA (43.5).
  • 2009 – #3 in zBall% (12.1), #3 in oStr% (10.0), #1 in +Calls (330), #3 in PerGame (2.72), #1 in RAA (44.0).
  • 2010 – #7 in zBall% (12.0), #9 in oStr% (9.9), #2 in +Calls (219), #9 in PerGame (1.78), #2 in RAA (29.2).
  • 2011 – #5 in zBall% (11.4), #10 in oStr% (9.2), #2 in +Calls (264), #4 in PerGame (2.16), #2 in RAA (35.1).
  • 2012 – #2 in zBall% (10.0), #16 in oStr% (8.1), #3 in +Calls (177), #9 in PerGame (1.59), #3 in RAA (23.5).
  • 2013 – #62 in zBall% (11.8), #21 in oStr% (7.6), #11 in +Calls (75), #17 in PerGame (0.90), #11 in RAA (9.9).
  • 2014 – #73 in zBall% (10.4), #24 in oStr% (7.9), #11 in +Calls (86), #17 in PerGame (0.87), #11 in RAA (11.4).

Brian McCann was a force behind the plate for the Atlanta Braves, and is still a force after winning the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros. While with the Braves, McCann went to 6 consecutive All-Star games (’06-’11) and an extra one added on in ’13, tallying 7 All-Star appearances in 9 year of service with the Braves.

As you can see by McCann’s framing stats towards the end of his tenure with the Braves, his framing skill began deminishing as he aged. Being a catcher is extremely demanding of the body, especially on the knees.

While McCann was with the Braves, he was indeed something special… All of his Top 10, and even Top 5 finishes in framing for consecutive years was absolutely phenomenal. But at this current point in time, McCann is entering the phase that the NEXT GUY was in while with the Braves.

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