Mike Napoli

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:16 am

He must be the worst defensive catcher to get this type of respect from his manager. He has 40 Hrs, 108 Rbis and is batting .272 in his last 600 abs.

Mathis has 16 Abs this year to Napoli's 9?? WTF?

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:12 am

Napoli can not throw runners out at the moment; I think going back to spring training the teams are a perfect 100% on steal attempts against him. Im sure napoli will get his at bats when all is said and done, but not until he figures out the throwing issues. I have Napoli in 4 leagues and grabbed Mathis in them all

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:22 am

Originally posted by Highlander:

Napoli can not throw runners out at the moment; I think going back to spring training the teams are a perfect 100% on steal attempts against him. Im sure napoli will get his at bats when all is said and done, but not until he figures out the throwing issues. I have Napoli in 4 leagues and grabbed Mathis in them all Really, neither can Posada or Martinez.

Those managers just choose to have the offense.

In this case, I'm not sure if getting the backup is the best solution. I'd still rather have Napoli's fewer at bats to Mathis' more at bats.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:34 am

I agree dan, Id rather have Napoli in the lineup as well; only picked up Mathis until Napoli gets it going which I believe he will especially if they do not improve record wise. I was just tired of getting the zeros.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:50 am

I think not being able to throw out runners is only one of the problems in this case. He is suposedly horrible at calling a game and his mechanics behind the plate are not good. He had a meeting about this with Scioscia last year and that only made matters worse.

That said, while I have nothing but respect for Mike Scioscia and think he may be the greatest manager ever, in terms of runs, it is hard to believe that Napoli is costing more runs on defense than he is scoring on offense, at least compared to Mathis.

And it wasn't a terribly bright idea to sign Hideki if they are going to play Mathis. Napoli is just as good of a DH as he is at this point.

Although an imperfect stat, it might be useful to look at catcher ERA here, if I knew where to find it. Anyone know where to easily find catching stats like CS% or Catcher ERA?

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 7:53 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

Although an imperfect stat, it might be useful to look at catcher ERA here, if I knew where to find it. Anyone know where to easily find catching stats like CS% or Catcher ERA? patent the idea and make some money

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:00 am

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_ ... order/true

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:12 am

Originally posted by ToddZ:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_ ... order/true Todd:

Am I reading this right? Even though he does not yet qualify, Mike Nap has a Better CERA than Mathis?

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:37 am

To begin with, cERA is one of the least "respected" SABR stats out there.

That said, a week's worth of games means absolutely nothing with any stats, let alone this one.

There are all sorts of Napoli versus Mathis breakdowns out there.

The OVERWHELMING conclusion, even when considering defense, is Napoli is worth more runs due to his superior offense.

The caveat is this considers past performance, meaning Mathis' hitting does not improve.

Remember, he came up an all-around prospect, not the all-glove, no stick entity he is perceived as now. Plus there is some precedent for good fielders to eventually apply some of that defensive skill set (Hand-eye coordination) to hitting. Yadier Molina is an example of a catcher that went that route.

With that said, I still see Napoli getting his AB by season's end. Keep in mind an injury to any of Matsui, Rivera, Morales and maybe Abreu makes him basically full time, at DH or 1B.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:50 am

Originally posted by ToddZ:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_ ... order/true Todd, thanks for the link, but wow, am I having trouble with it. I feel like I'm doing something stupid but when I click to change it to 2009, nothing happens. As far as I can see there is no 'go' button or anything and it just stays on 2010.

Also, why are all the CS%'s 1 or 0? It is like they are rounding off percentages to the nearest whole number.

As far as catcher defense, I never found any metric to quantify it well up to and including the Dewan measurement. While cera is imperfect it would at least be nice to attach some tangible number to the Napoli decisions, for fun if you'd like.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:00 am

Pulldown menu over to the left to select the year.

But because the team column gets bigger, the cERA is hidden. But you can c/p it into Excel to see everything.

Last year, Mathis was 4.00, Napoli 4.89.

But amongst other things, it has the bias for the pitchers each caught.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:01 am

The Angels lineup as a whole, already looked less intimidating this year over last year.

They're missing their sparkplug in Figgins and the big basher in Vlad and only replaced them with Matsui and Wood. To add Mathis over Napoli waters down the lineup further.

A perennial top notch team with Mathis and Wood hitting eight and nine? After losing their ace over the off season? Not good and won't last.

On a fantasy note, Howie Kendrick owners can not be pleased. Kendrick hitting seventh with Mathis and Wood behind him does not give him the best chance to succeed.

[ April 13, 2010, 03:04 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Gekko · Post by **Gekko** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:06 am

those spring training hr's put the bait out.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:30 am

Originally posted by ToddZ:

Pulldown menu over to the left to select the year.

But because the team column gets bigger, the cERA is hidden. But you can c/p it into Excel to see everything.

Last year, Mathis was 4.00, Napoli 4.89.

But amongst other things, it has the bias for the pitchers each caught. I am on the pulldown over on the left. I change it to 2009. Nothing happens. 2010 stats are still on-screen. Maybe it is my browser. I'll try when at another computer.

And why are the CS% stats all 1's and 0's?

Yeah, that is what I am looking for in that stat. I know all the problems with it, of course, but at least you can see it and say, everything didn't go right with Nap behind the plate so it makes some sense. Looking at multiple years might also be informative.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:45 am

Originally posted by Gekko:

those spring training hr's put the bait out. Maybe a little. Past history, more.

ToddZ · Post by **ToddZ** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:52 am

Brian -- I'm using Firefox and it changes the data automatically.

If you want multiple years data, shoot me a PM and I can pull it for you.

I'll even put the formula for SB% in

swampass · Post by **swampass** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:59 am

In Mathis' 2nd season as a pro he played in AAA. He hit 21 homers in 427 at bats while hitting .276. he had one more pretty good season of hitting in the minors after that, but then his hitting numbers drop off the cliff. maybe he was focused on his defense realizing what kind of coach he had in the majors? dont know.

do i think mathis can hit like napoli? probably not, but i do think there is hope that he is a FAR better hitter than what he has shown the past few years. im praying for that after losing montero and striking out on adam moore with a late selection.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:09 pm

Originally posted by ToddZ:

Brian -- I'm using Firefox and it changes the data automatically.

If you want multiple years data, shoot me a PM and I can pull it for you.

I'll even put the formula for SB% in I'm at a different computer now and it works. Thanks for your help.

Ha-ha, yes, I'll get hard to work on a formula for CS%; however, I thought it would be easier to see it at a glance rather than figuring it out or downloading to a spreadsheet every time I want updated results. Playing match-ups for guys like Podsednik is an under-used strategy for stolen bases, but I do it.

whipsaw · Post by **whipsaw** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:44 pm

one time? i own a load of napoli stock this year

Angels general manager Tony Reagins hasn't ruled out trading one of his catchers.

"You never close your mind to any potential deal that will make you better," said Reagins. The Angels currently have Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli and Bobby Wilson on their roster, though Mathis has started eight of the first 11 games behind the dish. Napoli, who has hit 20 homers in each of the past two seasons, would net the most talent in return.

Dirt Dogs · Post by **Dirt Dogs** » Fri Apr 23, 2010 2:03 am

Who and How much did Napoli owners pay the fantasy gods for the Mathis injury??

Red Sox Nation · Post by **Red Sox Nation** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:57 pm

Mathis, Bobby Wilson, ***

I just hope bad things don't happen in 3's here