Twins Catcher Ryan Jeffers's Pitch Framing Continues to Slump

[Cody Christie]

When he first broke into the big leagues, Ryan Jeffers was touted for his pitch-framing skills. Now, he ranks among the game’s worst framers. What happened?

Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Jeffers has been a crucial part of the Twins' defense since his debut during the 2020 season. Known for his strong defensive skills, particularly his pitch framing, Jeffers has helped his pitchers get the benefit of the doubt on close calls at the edges of the strike zone. However, a noticeable decline in his pitch-framing ability has emerged in the 2024 season, raising questions about the underlying causes.

Pitch framing is a subtle yet vital skill for catchers, making borderline pitches appear as strikes to the umpire. This skill can significantly impact a pitcher's performance and, by extension, the outcome of games. In recent years, catchers have been evaluated heavily on their framing metrics, with top framers often adding significant value to their teams.

A Look at Jeffers's Framing Metrics
Jeffers has historically been known for his above-average framing skills. During the 2021 season, Baseball Savant ranked him in the 72nd percentile for framing. He continued to perform at that level in 2022 (70th percentile), but the 2023 season is when his numbers nose-dived. In over 500 innings, Jeffers’s framing was worth -3 runs, ranking in the 25th percentile. That poor performance was only the start of his decline. 

In 2024, his framing metrics took an even steeper downturn. According to Statcast data, Jeffers's strike rate on borderline pitches has decreased, leading to fewer called strikes on pitches that, in previous seasons, he might have successfully framed. He’s been worth -5 runs, ranking in the 10th percentile. Becoming one of baseball’s worst pitch framers is quite the contrast to his early big-league career.

Potential Causes of the Decline
Changes in Pitching Staff: One factor that could be contributing to Jeffers's decline in framing is the turnover in the Twins' pitching staff. Catchers develop a rhythm and understanding with their pitchers over time, which is crucial for effective framing. New pitchers or changes in pitching styles can disrupt this rhythm, making it more challenging for Jeffers to frame pitches as effectively as before.

Increased Focus on Offense: Jeffers has shown improvement at the plate, with his offensive production becoming more consistent. This increased focus on offense may affect his defensive preparation and performance. Catchers who balance both offense and defense often have to make trade-offs, and Jeffers's increased attention to batting may have led to a slight decline in his defensive sharpness, particularly in framing--a detail-oriented, difficult, granular task.

Changes in Umpire Strike Zones: The human element of umpiring plays a significant role in pitch framing. If there are changes in how umpires call the strike zone or if Jeffers has been assigned to games with umpires with smaller or more inconsistent zones, this could impact his framing metrics. Umpires’ tendencies can vary widely, and a catcher might see a decline in framing success simply due to a change in the strike zone interpretation.

Injury or Fatigue: Catchers endure significant physical strain throughout a season, and any underlying injuries or fatigue can affect their performance behind the plate. Even minor injuries (or the cumulative effect of catching many games) can lead to a decline in reflexes and precision, which are crucial for effective pitch framing.

Strategic Changes: Earlier this season, Parker Hageman wrote about why Jeffers is declining regarding pitch framing. His premise at the time was that the Twins had focused on Jeffers providing a target in the middle of the plate. By doing so, he loses out on the opportunity to steal strikes from the edges of the zone. Minnesota’s pitching staff is also throwing more fastballs in the upper half of the zone, whereas previous staffs were throwing near the bottom of the zone, making it easier to steal strikes. He’s trying to help his pitchers get into favorable counts, but it hurts his overall framing metrics.

While the decline in pitch framing is a concern, it doesn’t overshadow Jeffers's overall contributions to the team. His leadership behind the plate and his offensive improvements ensure that he remains a valuable asset for the Twins. However, regaining his framing form could elevate his game and give the Twins a competitive edge as they push for postseason success.

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Should the Twins be concerned with Jeffers’ framing metrics? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[mikelink45]

Give me the electronic strike zone and get rid of this silly pitch framing stat.  It is a strike or not a strike.  Stealing a strike is a silly thing to celebrate.  

[Doctor Wu]

40 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Give me the electronic strike zone and get rid of this silly pitch framing stat.  It is a strike or not a strike.  Stealing a strike is a silly thing to celebrate.  

I agree, Pitch framing should not even be an issue, or least not some sort of "talent" that is sought after. 

[KBJ1]

The Human element has always been an important part of the game. Take the umpire, pitch framing and other things out of the game and you lose that.

At some point why play the game at all? You might as well just run a computer simulation.

[MinnInPa]

still say bull...... pitch is supposed to be called as it crosses the plate..not where it hits catchers mit.. 

[FlyingFinn]

"Umpires tendencies can vary widely"

That statement alone supports robo umps or at least the challenge system. It seems to work great at AAA. It's fair to all players, and by all accounts they love it. No bias for star players, big markets, or even potential collusion with gamblers.

[gregens]

1 hour ago, KBJ1 said:

The Human element has always been an important part of the game. Take the umpire, pitch framing and other things out of the game and you lose that.

At some point why play the game at all? You might as well just run a computer simulation.

I like the human element to be the players and strategy, not the umpire's humanity.

[terrydactyls]

Or it just might be that the umpires have adopted the strategy that I was often accused of employing when I umpired many moons ago.  Many a little league parent accused me of having my eyes shut when the pitch reached home plate.  I can neither confirm nor deny the accuracy of this.

[Doctor Gast]

Catching is a grueling position, Jeffers was in 96 games last season & has 92 games so far this season. Jeffers isn't a defensive catcher, he's a hitting catcher. He really has to work hard to become an average defensive catcher. All these innings has paid a toll on Jeffers. Many clamored about Jeffers getting more innings, I advocated that he should get less so he can keep up his hitting & catching metrics. 

On the other hand Vazquez gets more into the game, the more he plays. Therefore the improvement in his hitting. We should take advantage of that & tell fans that Jeffers has a sore foot & give him a break periodically to maintain his hitting & catching metrics.

[thelanges5]

Slumping at the plate as well. Jeffers slash line since June 1, .189/.253/.322

[Doctor Gast]

15 minutes ago, gregens said:

I like the human element to be the players and stategy, not the umpire's humanity.

Let's get rid of instant replay & be totally dependent on the human element. It's foolish to trust umpires' frail humanity. especially when so much is depending on it. I prefer fair & impartial robo ump any day.

[gregens]

1 minute ago, Doctor Gast said:

It's foolish to trust umpires' frail humanity. especially when so much is depending on it. I'd prefer fair & imparcial robo ump.

I agree.  The game and each play should be decided by the team members (including the manager), not the umpires.   The best umpire is the one the fans and players don't notice.

[gregens]

35 minutes ago, MinnInPa said:

still say bull...... pitch is supposed to be called as it crosses the plate..not where it hits catchers mit.. 

The key word in your correct statement is "supposed".  Unfortunately we humans don't always do what we're supposed to do.

[LambchoP]

Curious if we give Jeffers an extension and look at him as our long term guy? We don't have any exciting catching depth, Vasquez is gone after next year. Do we look to free agency?

[jorgenswest]

The Twins pitching is improved since the last two years. They are throwing strikes more often. Have there be fewer opportunities to steal a strike and more opportunities to lose a strike? Would that shift in opportunities skew the framing numbers in a negative direction? I have no idea.

Bottom line is the Twins lead the AL in strikeouts this year and did last year. They ranked 10th and 12th in the two previous seasons. Jeffers has contributed to that improvement.

[Mahoning]

I'd like to hear an umpire interviewed about so-called pitch framing, which I think is total nonsense. I've umpired many games, and the idea that a catcher influences me is absurd. By the time the ball reaches his mitt I have already decided, and I venture to say this is true for all umpires.

[bean5302]

Pitch framing has not appeared to be repeatable from year to year for most catchers. I don't like it much as a stat since it's not consistent. I suspect it has a lot to do with the pitchers themselves, combined with catcher height.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Jeffers’ everything continues to slump. Likely it’s a combination of all of these factors, with injury/fatigue impacting his hitting too.

[Parfigliano]

2 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Let's get rid of instant replay & be totally dependent on the human element. It's foolish to trust umpires' frail humanity. especially when so much is depending on it. I prefer fair & impartial robo ump any day.

I went to a AAA Albuquerque Isotopes game about 2 weeks ago that had robo ump in use.  Human ump got every challenge wrong.

Thats "pitch framing" a pretty way of saying wrong again ump.

[LA Vikes Fan]

2 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Slumping at the plate as well. Jeffers slash line since June 1, .189/.253/.322

I think Jeffers is really wearing down. A 10 IL stint could really help him refresh and be more productive in September. Problem is that it's hard to do that when half the team is on the IL. I'd like to see them catch Vasquez in 5 of the 7 games on this trip. Add in the off day next Thursday and Jeffers would then catch 2 games in 7 days. I think that kid of break could really help him. 

I'd like to see Castro get a break since he's also obviously wearing down. Just not sure who would play short.  

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Curious if we give Jeffers an extension and look at him as our long term guy? We don't have any exciting catching depth, Vasquez is gone after next year. Do we look to free agency?

Camargo and Olivar and Winkel.  Cossetti behind them.  We will be fine.

[Doctor Gast]

44 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

I went to a AAA Albuquerque Isotopes game about 2 weeks ago that had robo ump in use.  Human ump got every challenge wrong.

Thats "pitch framing" a pretty way of saying wrong again ump.

I still prefer straight robo-ump over having a challenge system.  

[David Maro]

If he is or isn't framing is not the biggest problem at this time.His at bats have become the issue.Watching his at bats are now a automatic out.He can't seem to see pitches feet out of the zone,striking out on a regular basis.It is time to sit him for the Rangers series and let him rest and look at film.

[jorgenswest]

59 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

I went to a AAA Albuquerque Isotopes game about 2 weeks ago that had robo ump in use.  Human ump got every challenge wrong.

Thats "pitch framing" a pretty way of saying wrong again ump.

How are you sure that it was the umpire that got those calls wrong? Is everything that is captured in the 2D zone the correct call?

[Doctor Gast]

2 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Curious if we give Jeffers an extension and look at him as our long term guy? We don't have any exciting catching depth, Vasquez is gone after next year. Do we look at free agency?

That's how things look like. Where do our catching depth rank? Very low! Olivar looks the best & has the tools to be a very good defensive catcher but he's not being developed into one, actually he's not good. Cosetti won't stick at catcher he hasn't been hitting at AA.

[JD-TWINS]

Jeffers isn’t a great option for long-term to me. I don’t dislike him by any means but over the last 3 months, other than he looks good in the uniform, he’s not done a lot on either side of the ball.

His defense, outside of framing metrics isn’t great.

The framing metric is a bit subjective and not a perfect way to evaluate - another data point. Blocking balls - throwing guys out….,,he’s not really good at any of these things.

Framing was never analyzed the way it is today with databases …….however, getting your pitcher’s a call with subtlety has been around since I started watching baseball in late 60’s and probably well before.

The pitchers being different than they were 2-3 years ago is silly - Vazquez is 7th & Jeffers somewhere around 75th in framing under same circumstances.

Jeffers needs to pick up his game …..,IMO, he should got to the plate with a 2 strike mentality - choking up and trying to make contact. He’s string enough to hit HR’s without big swings - more along the Miranda approach and his offense would benefit, again IMO.

[Road trip]

5 hours ago, KBJ1 said:

The Human element has always been an important part of the game. Take the umpire, pitch framing and other things out of the game and you lose that.

At some point why play the game at all? You might as well just run a computer simulation.

Never have I attended a game in any sport to watch the umpires.  At best they are invisible.  More often they detract from the experience.

The human elements are the players.

The arguments in favor of human umpires is akin to saying that food isn't as good because farmers now use tractors instead of horses and oxen.

[mrcharlie]

3 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I think catchers DO influence umpires.  You can see that plainly when a pitch is way off the plate and the catcher catches the ball and moves the mitt 6" to get it over the plate.

I cannot wait for automatic calls for balls and strikes.

And for those of you who love the "human element", then I'm sure you prefer umpires and referees in other sports like football, tennis, hockey and basketball to get the call wrong on your team and have never complained about it.

One last comment RE: Jeffers.  He focused hard on framing and throwing out runners a few years back.  Then recently he focused on hitting and those defensive metrics dropped.  I think there are too many things to focus on as a catcher to be proficient at all of them except for those truly elite athletes like Mauer.

Seriously...6 inches?  I think not.

Keep in mind that game officials make calls that favor our teams often.  I would ascert that over the course of a game calls will go both ways.

Jeffers has never impressed me.  He sets up a poor target, he is poor at blocking balls in the dirt and throwing out runners.  The Twins made a mistake in the draft by not taking a top catcher...it is the weakest position throughout the organization.

 

[Azviking101]

Since his hot start he’s been a below average hitter. His metrics support how his bat has looked since that hot start. 
his defense has been below average in all facets. 

Vazquez should be playing more. 

[I Miss The Lakes]

How to delete? ha

Edited August 16, 2024 by I Miss The Lakes
huge error