It's Time for More Ryan Jeffers

It’s a weird place to be in when both catchers swing right-handed and the better defensive catcher is the weaker hitter.

I don’t know exactly where the threshold is for Vazquez’s offense before the defensive advantage is negated. I do know that I’d at least try to start Jeffers against all lefties (didn’t start against Smyly)…just based on the HR/XBH potential that presents.

I couldn't disagree more. Our understanding of the meaning of those stats moving forward is very different. I think slash stats are virtually meaningless at this sample. At this point they offer no support for Jeffers being the better hitter moving forward.

Did you know that Vazquez has a better DRC+ than Jeffers (81 vs 76) according to Baseball Prospectus? That measure factors in quality of opposing pitchers and quality of batted ball contact. 

They both perform better against left handed pitching over their careers but Vazquez has seen very little left handed pitching this year.

I wish that slash stats were not available until much later in the season. They should not be used in support of any decision about moving forward with playing time or the line up. I wish that they weren't so heavily relied upon by broadcasters and writers.

Just now, Ted Wiedmann said:

Fair to criticize slash lines, and Jeffers lack of quality contact is addressed.

However, Vazquez is struggling at the things he's supposed to be good, mainly high contact rates, and has a track record of very weak offensive seasons. At his peak he's a league average hitter and there are no offensive statistics that suggest he's been even close to that. 

They are both below average. Likely 15-20% below average. The stats do not support Jeffers being a better hitter than Vazquez moving forward this year. Vazquez is the superior defender. If the Twins are up against a quality starter I wouldn't give either a good chance to have an impact. They will need that superior game caller to keep that game close. It may be how the Twins are finding games for Jeffers. They get him in against a lefty or they give him the game against the poorer pitcher in day game after night game situations. Vazquez' stats are very skewed by the quality of opposing pitcher and the small ratio of plate appearances against lefties for which his OPS was 148 points greater last year.

I am not here to defend Vazquez as a hitter though. I am here to argue that Jeffers' slash stats thus far do not support him being a better hitter going forward this season. If the Twins are interested in winning more this year it is not yet time for more Ryan Jeffers.

The main question that needs to be asked, is what vazquez gives you behind the plate, defense and game calling wise, is it worth the difference in offense?  Maybe for games with Gray Jeffers should always catch, because Gray calls his own.  Maybe for games where the starter relies more on the catcher to guide them along Vazquez has more to offer.  

Vazquez superior defense isn't that superior and for game calling, how do we measure something like that?  I have no idea.  In the other post about Jeffers, I summarized it as such for games they have started:

So everyone makes it sound like Vasquez is so much better than Jeffers on defensive side and or calling a game:

Vasquez - 15 wins / 12 losses as starting catcher, 8 assists, 2 DP's, .986 Fldg %, 4 - 18 caught stealing for .222 CS %, ranked 18th in MLB in catching defense category

Jeffers - 10 wins / 8 losses as starting catcher, 5 assists, 2 DP's. 1.000 Fldg % - 5 - 12 caught stealing for .417 CS %. ranked 14th in MLB in catching defense category

So it looks like Jeffers isn't as crappy as majority think on the non-hitting side of the position.  Quality backup that has given way to a $10MM starter.  Jeffers has earned more playing time than just being a get-away day catcher as he is positioned now.  

By no means is he the weakest link or catcher position is weakest link on the team at the moment.  For some reason wins don't add up to team total so maybe Vasquez had a DH spot in there somewhere.  One can say small sample size for Jeffers but he hasn't been brutal behind the plate.  Calling the game is part of the battle, pitchers executing is the other half based on pitch selection.

Go Twins! 

I like Vasquez behind the plate.