Hanigan fractures knuckle; Swihart to be called up

[TheYaz67]

 
People have been saying that since opening day in the gamethreads. You'd think after the fourth time being hit in the hand this year he'd move it behind his back like other catchers, but instead he gets hit a fifth time and potentially ends his season. It's so frustrating because it's fluky, but not something unavoidable. 

 
To be fair, there was a runner on first in a close game, and in such situations many MLB catchers will often "cheat" by bringing the throwing hand from behind the back to behind the knee to reduce their time to ball in glove/release time to second - Hannigan was unlucky that by having to reach to the inside for that pitch, he moved his knee away from his "protected" hand, exposing it.  I wonder how many of this other "balls off hand" incidents were also with runners on base....

 

[joe dokes]

I was really starting to like Hanigan. Tough at-bats and some key hits
and walks; and the sob did a hell of a job getting me from Kenmore to Logan in rush hour traffic.  Get well soon.

This.
 
I think the Sox thought he also called a good game. Leon didn;t look like he sucked (for a 3rd string C), so there must have been something we didn;t see that caused him to get absoluitely buried lately. 
 
I wonder if its time for the dugout to start callling pitches for awhile?
 
Only Nick would think Salty is even a viable option.  Sox would put Varitek back there before Salty.
 

So our two starting catchers at the start of the season are either done for the year or a majority of it. And it's only been a month. Has that ever happened before?
 

 
Ryan "Stumpy Joe" hanigan
 
12 y/o me remembers the '73 Mets going through about 5 catchers. Including one who pulled a hamstring in his first game after getting traded to them.

 

[Hendu Candu]

Don't understand why Swihart coming up is the "nightmare scenario." He was probably our best catcher coming out of spring training, and he can probably outhit Hanigan/Leon with one eye closed. He was likely to be up in a month or two anyway. I'm excited to accelerate the process.
 
Now if we can get a healthy Rusney Castillo into RF we might actually put our best lineup onto the field.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

 
To be fair, there was a runner on first in a close game, and in such situations many MLB catchers will often "cheat" by bringing the throwing hand from behind the back to behind the knee to reduce their time to ball in glove/release time to second - Hannigan was unlucky that by having to reach to the inside for that pitch, he moved his knee away from his "protected" hand, exposing it.  I wonder how many of this other "balls off hand" incidents were also with runners on base....

I went and watched some clips on MLBTV this morning and he doesn't appear to hide his hand at all with runners on base. He puts it above his thigh, pointed at the pitcher, making a fist. The fist is something catchers do anticipating a glove/hand exchange to make a throw. So its clearly something he does, why he does it so exposed I have no idea. It's dangerous and really you're playing Russian roulette with your throwing hand. 5 balls to the hand is not some erratic stat like BABIP waiting to stabilize, I bet his hand gets hit in the same random percentage as the mask, the chest protector, and the shin guards.  Difference is those are all protected by equipment. 
 
 

 

[Hank Scorpio]

It remains to be seen how well Blake Swihart will do at the major league level, but it's also nice to know he's a switch hitter, something that should prove valuable if he displays any kind of offensive prowess.
 
2012 vs RHP: .271/.309/.412/.721
2012 vs LHP: .232/.301/.341/.643
 
2013 vs RHP: .279/.352/.404/.756
2013 vs LHP: .367/.419/.519/.938
 
2014 vs RHP: .295/.351/.429/.780
2014 vs LHP: .290/.325/.535/.861
 
2015 vs RHP: .390/.457/.439/.896
2015 vs LHP: .259/.286/.296/.582
 
Obviously SSS on the 2015 numbers.
 
Historically he crushes LHP, and hits RHP very well. Success against RHP seems to be trending in a positive direction. Will be interesting to see how he performs here.

 

[ivanvamp]

I went and watched some clips on MLBTV this morning and he doesn't appear to hide his hand at all with runners on base. He puts it above his thigh, pointed at the pitcher, making a fist. The fist is something catchers do anticipating a glove/hand exchange to make a throw. So its clearly something he does, why he does it so exposed I have no idea. It's dangerous and really you're playing Russian roulette with your throwing hand. 5 balls to the hand is not some erratic stat like BABIP waiting to stabilize, I bet his hand gets hit in the same random percentage as the mask, the chest protector, and the shin guards.  Difference is those are all protected by equipment. 
 
 

 
When I was a catcher, I used to protect my hand by tucking it behind my right leg instead of behind my back.  It was very comfortable there, and easy to reach up and get the ball if I needed to make a throw.  I never noticed Hanigan's hand position before, but it's absolutely crazy to leave your hand exposed like that.  It's a major injury waiting to happen.

 

[brienc]

Part of me is mad at myself that I didn't get to McCoy to see Swihart before he got called up. Now I just hope he never returns to the Bucket.

 

[Boggs26]

I went and watched some clips on MLBTV this morning and he doesn't appear to hide his hand at all with runners on base. He puts it above his thigh, pointed at the pitcher, making a fist. The fist is something catchers do anticipating a glove/hand exchange to make a throw. So its clearly something he does, why he does it so exposed I have no idea. It's dangerous and really you're playing Russian roulette with your throwing hand. 5 balls to the hand is not some erratic stat like BABIP waiting to stabilize, I bet his hand gets hit in the same random percentage as the mask, the chest protector, and the shin guards.  Difference is those are all protected by equipment.

After Hanigan left, I watched where Leon put his right hand and it looked like he was doing the same thing. Fist on his thigh. Makes me think it's either a normal position, or the Sox found the two guys who don't protect their throwing hand.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

After Hanigan left, I watched where Leon put his right hand and it looked like he was doing the same thing. Fist on his thigh. Makes me think it's either a normal position, or the Sox found the two guys who don't protect their throwing hand.

 
I think it's more common than people think.  And chances are the Hanigan injury won't do much to change most catcher's technique.
 
Edit: Case in point on it being common...just checked out some videos on Youtube and Varitek used to leave his hand exposed too.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQyLQFIhS4U

 

[OCD SS]

Swihart gets the start today.

 

[catomatic]

I was really starting to like Hanigan. Tough at-bats and some key hits
and walks; and the sob did a hell of a job getting me from Kenmore to Logan in rush hour traffic.  Get well soon.

Who's going to rake up the seaweed on Minot beach after major storms?

 

[grimshaw]

 
I think the Sox thought he also called a good game. Leon didn;t look like he sucked (for a 3rd string C), so there must have been something we didn;t see that caused him to get absoluitely buried lately. 
 

It could possibly be his poor pitch framing.  So far he is 5th worst among all catchers and he was poor last year as well.
http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

I was on the golf course today - how did Swihart look?

 

[geoduck no quahog]

It's just a few pitches that stand out...but is it just me, or do the Red Sox look to have the stupidist pitchers in the league?
 
It's the pitcher's responsibility to select the pitch. He can listen to the catcher's suggestions, but it's ultimately his decision. Either the catchers' suggestions aren't optimal (and the pitcher is just going along) or the pitchers' pitch-smarts just suck.
 
This stuff was made more dramatic in the past 2 days with the pitch to Arod and the pitch to Gardiner standing out - but I'm certain there were many more.
 
So it comes down to this: is it pitch selection or pitch execution or a combination of both? It's up to the battery to understand what's working and what's not, and what the hitter is up to.
 
I guess I'm just frustrated and don't know any means to confirm or discount my suspicion. Maybe this is what every team experiences.

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

Meanwhile, in AAA...

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

Looks like a clear case of interference to me...

 

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

I think Hanigan will be out about 8-10 weeks based on what I heard - tough injury given that it's his throwing hand and the amount of torque generated with a swing

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

I was on the golf course today - how did Swihart look?

 
He looked fine. A couple of good at-bats, seemed to be working smoothly with the pitchers, looked quick on the bases.

 

[Montana Fan]

During Tek's early years Jimy and I think specifically, Kerrigan, called the pitches from the dugout.  There never has been much discussion about that on SoSH.  Does anyone know how common that is in the ML or have any thoughts on whether that's an option while Swihart learns the ropes?

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Meanwhile, in AAA...

 
I love the umps reaction. I guess Quintero thought "strike 3 what's he still doing there".
 
Is that Quintero's normal arm slot, cause it looks like he was aiming at his belt. Almost a submarine, maybe if he washes out he can get work as a Roogy.

 

[Spelunker]

I believe trying to throw out a runner stealing third. And that's not interference, is it? The batter has to obligation to jump out of the batter's box of he thinks the catcher is throwing to third.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I believe trying to throw out a runner stealing third. And that's not interference, is it? The batter has to obligation to jump out of the batter's box of he thinks the catcher is throwing to third.

I don't know the rule, but I assume that in the future this batter will be a little quicker to jump out of the batter's box if he thinks the catcher is throwing to third. Like, maybe, he'll be out of there before the pitcher releases the ball...
 
Edit: Two more things from that video:
 
1. It almost looks as if, after firing the ball into the batter's stomach, Quintero pops up and delivers a backhand slap to back of the batter's head, knocking him down.  
 
2. Even though #1 didn't actually happen, gotta love Quintero's complete and total indifference to the plight of the batter.

 

[etakbear]

This is priceless. I could watch it all day.

 

[Rice4HOF]

I believe trying to throw out a runner stealing third. And that's not interference, is it? The batter has to obligation to jump out of the batter's box of he thinks the catcher is throwing to third.

Not interference. Interference is only if (a) it was intentional while in the box or (b) intentional or not if outside the box.
So batters should never leave the box on a throw because if they do and it's interference (e.g., catcher throws ball at them) then they are out.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Yea, no interference. For whatever reason Quintero is being a dick. I'm guessing its because the batter is too deep in the box and a bit past the back line, although its very close. Maile is the Durham catcher, so who knows if they've got some prior issues. Catchers don't throw sidearm because the ball would tail, so he was sending some message and selling it to the ump to not get tossed.

 

[theapportioner]

So is Swihart now the Red Sox's most indispensable player? I can't imagine what they would do if he got injured.

 

[leithbones]

 
Tim Britton ‏@TimBritton  52s52 seconds ago
Fractured fifth metatarsal for Hanigan. Surgery likely. Out "a substantial amount of time."

 

I think Britton meant metacarpal.
Metatarsals are in your foot.

 

[DaveRoberts'Shoes]

I think Britton meant metacarpal.
Metatarsals are in your foot.

Depends... can we confirm that Hanigan is not, in fact, a sloth?

Disclaimer- I am not a veterinarian

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Depends... can we confirm that Hanigan is not, in fact, a sloth?
 

We can.  That was AJ Pierzynski.

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Depends... can we confirm that Hanigan is not, in fact, a sloth?

Disclaimer- I am not a veterinarian

Thanks

 

[grimshaw]

Wil Nieves was just DFA'd by the Padres.  He's another noodle bat but with a strong defensive reputation.

 

[joe dokes]

Wil Nieves was just DFA'd by the Padres.  He's another noodle bat but with a strong defensive reputation.

 
Dont *all* noodle-bat catchers have strong defensive reputations?

 

[moondog80]

 
Dont *all* noodle-bat catchers have strong defensive reputations?

 
Otherwise they wouldn't have a reputation at all, right?

 

[grimshaw]

 
Dont *all* noodle-bat catchers have strong defensive reputations?

I drew a Venn diagram and you are correct.
There are also "run into one," guys like Anthony Recker who have strong defensive reps, but sadly Nieves isn't one of those.

 

[Savin Hillbilly]

 
Otherwise they wouldn't have a reputation at all, right?

 
Right, on grimshaw's Venn the area within "noodle bat" that doesn't overlap with "strong defensive reputation" is entirely within the set "career minor leaguer".

 

[Harry Hooper]

Yea, no interference. For whatever reason Quintero is being a dick. I'm guessing its because the batter is too deep in the box and a bit past the back line, although its very close. Maile is the Durham catcher, so who knows if they've got some prior issues. Catchers don't throw sidearm because the ball would tail, so he was sending some message and selling it to the ump to not get tossed.

 
 
Amazing video. Batter looks to be entirely within the box and not beyond back line.
 
Disputes arise when teams can't agree about the unwritten rules. Here we have Quintero apparently unclear about what the written rules are. Or, it was some sort of message sending.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

At what point do they consider looking for another solution at catcher and getting Swihart more time at AAA? 1 bb / 15 k in 43 PA's certainly suggest a guy who is overmatched offensively. Maybe he can handle it and the experience is valuable, but I worry about a guy who is so key to the team's future potentially being put into a situation that he's not ready for.

The fact that they didn't pick Salty up is damning of somebody, I'm just not sure who.

 

[bosockboy]

If the Hamels stuff ever materializes I'd imagine Ruiz will be involved.

 

[Doctor G]

The fact that they didn't pick Salty up is damning of somebody, I'm just not sure who.

True; and the team is playing decently with him, I don't think there can be many complaints about his defense or pitch calling, etc. Just wondering if there are thoughts on when a slow start or early struggles become more than that, and if there is a real danger to giving a prospect playing time before he's ready. Not saying that Swihart has to go or anything like that!

Didnt he struggle when he moved to Pawsox last summer.His primary job now is to learn the pitching staff.The recent improvement of the starters at least would seem to be at least as much the prodct of Swihart settling in as Wilis arriving.

 

[Doooweeeey!]

Not sure we can evaluate Swihart's pitch calling just yet.  Haven't they been calling pitches from the dugout recently?
He does look solid defensively, and looks like he will hit when the primary task of learning the staff is under his belt.  
Sox can be patient with him, though it would be better to have someone better than Leon backing him up.