I was thinking about this topic after the news of the Milwaukee Brewer’s campaign to get their cather Jonathan Lucroy to the All-Star game instead of Yadier Molina. I started looking into the subject to see if there was a valid point for Lucroy over Molina. Obviously I am completely bias towards Molina. However, I always try my best to be objective and here is what I found.

I’ve said this before about other player comparisons, such as Jon Jay versus Peter Bourjos. Baseball’s defensive sabermetric stats are so misleading to me. Look at Lucroy & Molina’s defensive numbers and tell me how Lucroy has more value. Lucroy has a dWAR of 1.1. Molina has a dWAR of 0.4. Defensive runs saved, DRS, has Lucroy at 6 and Yadi at 1. As for rSB, Lucroy is -5 and Yadi 2. For even more saber analysis, Yadi’s RF, PB, E, TC, PO, A, DPs are all the same or higher too.

Basically Yadi stops the same number of balls (or more), has more range, throws out 20% more runners, turns more DPs and yet his dWAR & DRS lower? I call bullshit. Of course, I know they may factor pitch framing into the equation as well and Lucroy is very good in this department. Yadi, while struggling somewhat in that category this year, is still very good and usually one of the best in pitch framing.

After looking at the numbers, Lucroy is cleary the superior offensive player this season. While the defensive saber stats also favor Lucroy, I’m going to say they aren’t as accurate as most would believe. That said, Lucroy does have a legitimate case to be an All-Star. However, I’d say it being a pretty even vote, you give the nod to the all-world, veteran catcher Molina. Lucroy keeps it up, and Yadi struggles a bit more, then he should get the spot next year.

Stats courtesy of espn.com, baseball-reference.com, and fangraphs.com