Power Pros Forum

When you've got a smart catcher(usually veterans like Brad Ausmus and Pudge) they cal good games which improves your whole pitching staff.

There are several great hitting shortstops, many of which are some of the best in the game, but there is such a big drop off after a few shortstops that they actually aren't that good offensively as a position. The really good offensive guys are Reyes, Hanley, Rollins, and Jeter. It's kind of funny that 3 of the best hitters in the league are shortstops and all in the NL and arround the same age, considering it used to be the same with A-Rod, Nomar Garcipara, and Jeter (Garcipara had an injury that ruined his career, but his career might have been up there with A-Rod and Jeters too if he stayed healthy).

Jeter!!!! You must be kidding. He hits 10-15 HRs a year and gets 75 RBIs. His only good point is is BA.

That maybe true, as you said, veteran. ANY veteran can call games, take control and do anything really, though the ultimate decision in terms of pitches andpitching strategy is up to the pitcher, not the catcher. Even Pudge will respect what a pitcher is doing if they disagree.

And that still doesn't show how it'll help a pitching staff. So I still don't see how just a C can help. And a SS alone is not great considering, there are some teams that are able to hit it away from the SS, and he alone, can't make a team better. No matter how fast he is, or how powerful his arm, he can't do much by himself defensively.

I can't speak for real life, but in this game, a catcher can certainly improve the ENTIRE pitching staff of a team.

Here is how:

1. The Great Catcher ability. By definition it "...is a catcher's ability that improves the pitcher's command as well as lessen stamina drain". To an even greater extent than it's sister ability, Good Catcher.

What does this mean? More control = more strikes, less balls, less wild pitches, more strikeouts, less walks, more ground balls, and more popups.

Also, by using less stamina we get more quality innings out of each pitcher. Now that is great for everyone, especially the bullpen

2. The Trash Talk ability. This ability "...diminishes opponent hitters' power when the player is used in the game as a catcher."

Now, I don't know how much of a decrease in power we are talking here, but less power means less extra base hits. And more importantly it can turn those long balls into outs or merely sac flies.

3. We certainly can't overlook a strong and accurate arm behind the plate. As stated before, a catcher can all but eliminate the opponents running game. So for teams that rely on small ball, it makes them much less threatening. Also, if you can keep a man on 1st base that helps open more opportunities for that double play ball.

4. A strong fielding and error resistance rating will help reduce the odds of passed balls and aid in making some nice diving catches.

5. It was stated before that shortstop players can aid a team with their bat. Well, that point is moot because a catcher (especially in terms of MLBPP) can be an equal force behind the plate offensively.

In real life:It helps them make better pitches: set-up batters etc. and a good catcher usually knows the opponents strengths and weaknesses which is another way it helps to have a good catcher.

And what he/\ said for the the game

I can totally agree with you on that part then. If that's the case, then Catcher may be the best position, but I'd prefer for the catcher to also have at least once secondary postion. I'd say either 2nd, or CF as the secondary position for different reasons, but I will agree that those abilities do help with pitchers, though they are not always enough.

I mean, combined with a CF's abilities of Spider Catch and Cannon Arm, not only will he be able to scale walls for some pop flies, but also, in case there are any mistake throws from the C, they'll be low. So my point is, as long as he can play 2 key positions, then he'll be the perfect player, or close enough.

The perfect player would be maxed, have all abilities, and be a C/SS/CF. But how often is Spider Catch used? Versus a catcher-only ability like Trash Talk is used every pitch.