Cal's Greatness

[TridentHawk]

What he has done for the first four years of his career is nothing short of remarkable. In fact it's so remarkable that there's only 3 other catchers in baseball history that have started better than he has. (He's tied with Carlton Fisk for 4th)

Based on fWAR over their first four seasons, here are the top catchers in MLB history:

Johnny Bench: 15.3 fWAR

Gary Carter: 14.8 fWAR

Ivan Rodriguez: 14.2 fWAR

Carlton Fisk: 13.9 fWAR

Cal Raleigh: 13.9 fWAR

Mike Piazza: 13.7 fWAR

[bpj]

Amazing start for the big dumper.

If he can keep his size down, he should have a great career. Doesn't take a great batting average to thrive at catcher when you've got some pop.

His body does seem to be a risk to fill out. His cheeks (on both ends) seem years ahead of schedule..

[Donn Beach]

Not to question Cal's greatness but I don't understand how they can compute war for earlier players when they don't have the information. Particularly a position like catcher that's so defense oriented. There should be an explanation I guess at fangraphs or whatever

[D-train]

Not to question Cal's greatness but I don't understand how they can compute war for earlier players when they don't have the information. Particularly a position like catcher that's so defense oriented. There should be an explanation I guess at fangraphs or whatever

Yeah I especially wonder about the pre TV era when nobody was even alive. Do they get out the micro fiche and read old game recaps about Ducky Ponds making a real fine grab in the bottom of the 7th in a game in 1923 and boost his dWAR because of it.

[ddraig]

This illustrates how the M's are a "MLB Franchise" that is run on a shoe string budget for no apparent reason. Enjoy Cal while you can. He won't be with the M's any longer than he must!

[TridentHawk]

Not to question Cal's greatness but I don't understand how they can compute war for earlier players when they don't have the information. Particularly a position like catcher that's so defense oriented. There should be an explanation I guess at fangraphs or whatever

I used AI to get those numbers. I mean, I assume they're correct?

[Donn Beach]

Not to question Cal's greatness but I don't understand how they can compute war for earlier players when they don't have the information. Particularly a position like catcher that's so defense oriented. There should be an explanation I guess at fangraphs or whatever

I used AI to get those numbers. I mean, I assume they're correct?

In terms of what's considered Bench's fWAR? Sure, my question is how did they compute his fWAR

[Vogelbomb]

This illustrates how the M's are a "MLB Franchise" that is run on a shoe string budget for no apparent reason. Enjoy Cal while you can. He won't be with the M's any longer than he must!

I doubt that. The M's FO loves Cal and they will do what it takes to keep him around.

[ddraig]

They didn't love him before last season after he chastised the organization for not going after FA's that could have improved the team. Management may love him, but I believe he's just simmering until he can get out of here!

[D-train]

They didn't love him before last season after he chastised the organization for not going after FA's that could have improved the team. Management may love him, but I believe he's just simmering until he can get out of here!

I will never forget when SS equated him speaking out about the team needing to add talent with JK breaking his foot possibly costing his team after kicking the cooler. AND they forced him to apologize. I am sure Cal hasn't forgot that.