Pitch framing: A quick tutorial
Q What does it mean for a catcher to frame a pitch?
A Receiving the ball — with the slightest flex of the catching hand or the smallest twitch of the arm — in such a way that it looks more like a strike than a ball.
Q Why is it important?
A A well-framed pitch can change the course of an at-bat. For instance, a 1-1 count becomes 1-2 instead of 2-1.
Q What's the trick?
A Twins catcher Jason Castro said it's "trying to get your body behind the ball and counteracting the movement in which that ball would take your glove."
Q How did Twins catchers fare last season?
A Not well. According to StatCorner, Kurt Suzuki lost 0.40 strikes per game, while Juan Centeno lost 2.61. That's why they went out and got Castro and Chris Gimenez.
