The Cubs May Have the Best Pitch-Framer in Baseball and Other Bullets

david ross cubsThe Family and I are taking a trip to Austin, Texas to see The Brother and His Family later this week, which means I’ve got a bunch of ducks to get in a row before then so that my other family – you folks – aren’t left in the lurch while I’m on the road. Do you feel the love?

  • The best pitch framer in baseball so far this year? That would be the Cubs’ own David Ross, according to Baseball Savant by way of this Washington Post article. More than 14% of the pitches Ross receives outside of the strike zone are called strikes (the next closest competitors are down at 11.7% (Yasmani Grandal) and 11.5% (Francisco Cervelli)). We knew that Ross – like the starting catcher ahead of him, Miguel Montero – was an excellent framer, but what I find particularly interesting about him leading the entire league is the fact that he mostly catches Jon Lester. It makes you wonder whether a catcher can become especially good at framing when he’s working consistently with a specific pitcher, especially one with excellent command like Lester. Makes sense, right? If this holds throughout the year, it is even more support for both the Ross signing and the personal catcher setup that has clearly emerged.
  • You’re wondering where Montero is, aren’t you? Well, per Baseball Savant, he’s just over 10%, which is 18th best in baseball among catchers who’ve received at least 1,000 pitches, and 11th best among catchers with at least 2,700 pitches received. (Welington Castillo, for the record, is 35th at 9.25%, which is below average among primary starters and back-ups.)
  • Everyone fawns over Jason Hammel’s latest dazzling outing (and rightfully so) here at ESPN. His 11 strikeouts last night were a career high. Naturally, he didn’t walk anyone.
  • Manny Ramirez, a consultant with the Cubs, says that Jorge Soler needs to adjust to pitchers’ current approach (middle away, sliders down) before he can take back off (Tribune). Ramirez also speaks glowingly of Kris Bryant’s approach. On Starlin Castro, Ramirez says (ESPN) he’s also getting nothing but middle-away pitches, and he’s sometimes opening up too quickly (hence the rolled-over grounders).
  • Sahadev Sharma writes about just how ugly things were for Castro in the cleanup spot.
  • If you missed it last night, Michael wrote about Jacob Turner – remember him? – who pitched in an extended Spring Training game.
  • Earlier this morning, I discussed Starlin Castro’s fun, uneven evening against the Marlins. Joe Maddon thinks Castro is “over-boogeying”, as he explains here at CSN.
  • I was on the Wrigleyville Nation podcast, talking Cubs, but also talking about early BN days and what it’s been like to shift the coverage along with the Cubs. Pretty good discussion came out of it, and those are some smart Cubs fans right there.
  • Chris Cotillo reports that Phil Coke has signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. If Coke makes their big league roster at some point, the Jays will then have to pay a pro-rated portion of the big league minimum, with the Cubs covering the rest of his $2.25 million salary. In other words, if Coke makes it up this month, for example, the Cubs might save about $250,000 to $300,000.
  • Random and interesting tidbit from Michael:
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Now We Know Why Ian Happ Was Removed Mid-game

    In the top of the seventh inning of today's 8-3 win over the Miami Marlins, Alexander Canario trotted out to left field in place of Ian Happ. At first, we thought (or maybe just hoped) that Craig Counsell was giving...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 8, Marlins 3 – April 19, 2024

    And just like that the Chicago Cubs are the first team in the NL Central to reach 12 wins! They're not technically in first place yet because the Brewers (11-6) have played fewer games, but we're talking about a matter...

    Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson with Back-to-Back Slick Defensive Plays

    With a lefty Marlins starter on the mound this afternoon, Nico Hoerner lead off today's game for the Chicago Cubs. And he did it in style, ripping a leadoff double to the left-center field wall, before coming into score a...

    Pre-Gamin’: Marlins at Cubs – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    *The Cubs were rained out yesterday, but today? Today, we've got a Friday 1:20 start at Wrigley Field, and that means all is right in the world. Before you take a look at the Cubs lineup against Miami, check out...

    MLBits: The White Sox Might be the Worst Team Ever, What Games I’m Watching this Weekend, More

    Happy Friday! Well, for everyone except for the pilots who were supposed to be manning the Colorado Rockies flight last week but instead allowed a member of the Rockies coaching staff to hop in the pilot's seat for a fun...

    Can I Interest You in a Positive Injury-Update on Justin Steele?

    Justin Steele, arguably the single most irreplaceable player on the Chicago Cubs 2024 roster, went down with a hamstring injury just 4.2 innings into his Opening Day start against the Rangers on March 28. In his place, the Cubs sixth...

    FAA Reportedly Investigating How a Passenger on Colorado Rockies Team Flight Was Seen Accessing the Cockpit

    If you do this job long enough, it's really wild to see the range of topics that can somehow become attached to sports. That is to say, I did not envision myself at some point writing about flight safety, cockpit...

    Cubs Farm Report | April 19, 2024: Kevin Alcántara is Heating Up!

    The Iowa Cubs were rained out, but the rest of the farm was in action, and so was Kevin Alcántara, who picked up four hits and now has seven in his last three games as he breaks out of an...

    It’s Not Kyle Hendricks Last Chance (But…), Ben Brown, Jameson Taillon, and Other Cubs Bullets

    Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...

    The Chicago Cubs Are Not Stealing Bases So Far This Year

    The Chicago Cubs are against theft. Of bases: https://twitter.com/codifybaseball/status/1781046629103231339 The Chicago Cubs this year have stolen just three bases, the fewest in all of baseball. Dansby Swanson has stolen two bases, Nick Madrigal has stolen one. That's it. I don't...

    Latest News

    Braves vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Coming off a three-homer game last time out, Travis d'Arnaud leads the Atlanta Braves (13-5) into action as -157 favorites against the Texas Rangers (11-10). First pitch from Truist Park is set for 7:20 PM ET Saturday, live on BSSW.Charlie...

    Reds vs. Angels Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds (10-9), led by the red-hot Elly De La Cruz and his two-game homer streak, are -127 favorites to pick up a win over the Los Angeles Angels (9-11) Saturday at 6:40 PM ET, live from Great American...

    Orioles vs. Royals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Cedric Mullins (10 games) will look to add to his hitting streak when the Baltimore Orioles (12-7) and Kansas City Royals (13-7) meet Saturday at 7:10 PM ET, live on MASN2 from Kauffman Stadium. Mullins and the Orioles are favored...

    Mariners vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Colorado Rockies (4-15) face the Seattle Mariners (9-10) at 8:10 PM ET on Saturday following a five-game losing streak.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Mariners will send Luis Castillo (0-4) to the mound, while Dakota Hudson (0-3)...

    Reds vs. Angels Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Los Angeles Angels (9-11) play on the road against the Cincinnati Reds (10-9) at Great American Ball Park. The game is set to start at 6:40 PM ET on Saturday.The Reds will call on Graham Ashcraft (2-1) versus the...

    Braves vs. Rangers Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Atlanta Braves (13-5) look to add to a five-game winning streak as they host the Texas Rangers (11-10) at 7:20 PM ET on Saturday.The Braves will look to Charlie Morton (1-0) against the Rangers and Nathan Eovaldi (1-1).Braves vs....

    Orioles vs. Royals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 20

    The Baltimore Orioles (12-7) visit Kansas City to face the Kansas City Royals (13-7) at 7:10 PM ET on Saturday.The Orioles will call on Corbin Burnes (2-0) versus the Royals and Cole Ragans (0-1).Orioles vs. Royals Pitcher Matchup and Game...

    Playoffs Begin, Locker Clean Out, Summer Thoughts, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

    The 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today. It's the most exciting time of year for 16 cities in the NHL because every one of them -- yes, even the Islanders and Capitals -- have a chance to win it all....

    Guardians vs. Athletics Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    The Cleveland Guardians (14-6) are favorites (-172) on the moneyline when they take on the Oakland Athletics (8-12) Saturday at 6:10 PM ET, live on NBCS-CA.Cleveland's Logan Allen and Oakland's Alex Wood have been named the starters for this contest.Guardians...

    Phillies vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Saturday, April 20, 2024

    Following a two-homer game last time out, Alec Bohm leads the Philadelphia Phillies (12-8) into action as -322 favorites against the Chicago White Sox (3-16). First pitch from Citizens Bank Park at 6:05 PM ET on Saturday, live on NBCS-PH.Zack...

    more cubs news