I like them both, but considering the relatively new emphasis on the value of catcher framing and its effect on improving a team's overall pitching, can Blake beat out Christian for the starter's job, assuming Vasquez's post TJ arm is good to go?
According to StatCorner's catcher report, Vazquez was 12.2 Runs Above Average in 2014. Swihart last year was -1.8 RAA. Hanigan was 5.9 RAA. And that's just for framing. It doesn't take into account blocking and throwing out base-stealers.
http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php
Understand that Swihart is still on the steep slope of the catching learning curve, but giving up 2+ WAR to Vazquez defensively is a lot to make up with the bat in the meantime. Steamer projects 1.1 WAR from Swihart over 75 games next year. Vaz earned 0.6 WAR his rookie year in 55 games.
According to StatCorner's catcher report, Vazquez was 12.2 Runs Above Average in 2014. Swihart last year was -1.8 RAA. Hanigan was 5.9 RAA. And that's just for framing. It doesn't take into account blocking and throwing out base-stealers.
http://www.statcorner.com/CatcherReport.php
Understand that Swihart is still on the steep slope of the catching learning curve, but giving up 2+ WAR to Vazquez defensively is a lot to make up with the bat in the meantime. Steamer projects 1.1 WAR from Swihart over 75 games next year. Vaz earned 0.6 WAR his rookie year in 55 games.