SF Giants Gold Glove backstop leads all MLB catchers in key category

SF Giants Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey is not offering much at the plate. However, he continues to thrive defensively, leading all MLB catchers with a 44 percent caught-stealing rate with at least 20 attempts.

SF Giants Gold Glove backstop leads all MLB catchers in key category

Bailey remains an above-average pitch framer and has seen a noticeable improvement in his blocking as well. Not surprisingly, he leads all catchers with +7 Fielding Run Value.

However, it is how Bailey has managed the running game that stands out. And, the pitching staff deserves credit for generally giving him a chance to prevent would-be base stealers. That was a pretty big issue at one point last year, but it looks to be much cleaner this time around.

Base runners typically steal off the pitcher. If the pitcher has a leg kick, works in a predictable pattern, or has a slow delivery, it gives the runner a pretty good shot at successfully stealing the base.

If the pitcher mixes up his routine and is quick to home plate, then the catcher has a good chance at getting the out. No catcher has done that better than Bailey this season.

Bailey has thrown out 12 runners in 27 opportunities this season. He added two more to the list on Tuesday night, with Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. unsuccessfully attempting to steal for the Kansas City Royals. Witt Jr. has the fastest sprint speed of any runner in baseball at 30.3 feet per second.

The 25-year-old backstop continues to post elite pop times with a strong arm and a quick release. Those traits will turn you into a pretty good catcher.

It is one of the reasons why Bailey's defense has been so well-regarded since he debuted with the club in 2023. He does more to help the pitcher than just about every catcher in baseball.

While Bailey has struggled badly at the plate, he still adds plenty of value behind the plate. On a positive note, he did record his first home run of the year on Wednesday in an 8-4 loss to the Royals.

If you polled every pitcher in baseball, the majority of them would want to see Bailey behind the plate, even if he is not producing much with the bat.