MLB Hunters: The Game Changes, Who Will Triumph? 2025 Analysis

The Catcher: A Constantly Evolving Position in Modern Baseball

In contemporary baseball, the role of the catcher is undergoing a significant metamorphosis. Traditionally valued for their defensive ability, catchers now face a growing demand for offensive skills, driven by changes in the rules of the game and a new appreciation of statistics.

The early March baseball game in North Carolina illustrates this dynamic. With runners on base and two outs in the top of the eleventh inning, a Coastal Carolina batter hits a single to right field. The Tar Heels’ right fielder makes an error, and the runner advances towards home, where catcher Luke Stevenson waits. The throw takes Stevenson to the third base side of the plate, in the path of the runner sliding headfirst. Stevenson makes the out and celebrates.

The Tar Heels won the ACC title, where Stevenson was named MVP. Days later, Stevenson, a draft-eligible sophomore, reported to Phoenix for the MLB combine. Depending on who you ask, Stevenson is considered the best or second-best pure catcher and a top 35 pick for the 2025 MLB draft, which begins on July 13. MLB general managers and player personnel recognize that dual-threat catchers, like Seattle’s Cal Raleigh, are now the standard for players on their way to the Major Leagues. The gap between a catcher with All-Star potential and one who could hold the position at a replacement level is evident. Changes to MLB rules in 2023 are influencing how the position is taught, played, coached, and scouted at all levels of the game. The value of the position itself is being redefined, and Stevenson is an example of how catchers are adapting to this new reality.

“I don’t want to say it’s a dying position, [but] the bar to be a good catcher offensively is very low”, said an MLB amateur baseball scouting director. “You could be an everyday catcher if you hit .210 with 10 home runs. [But] if you hit .210 with 30 home runs and a Platinum Glove? You’re a superstar”.

MLB amateur baseball scouting director

According to Jim Koerner, director of player development for USA Baseball, it is crucial for catchers to have “infield hands” and a strong arm to be starters in MLB. However, he predicts that in five years, with the implementation of robotic umpires, the position will become completely an offensive position.

Before the 2023 MLB season, the league implemented a series of rule changes, such as banning defensive shifts, introducing a pitch clock, limiting disengagements from the mound, and widening the bases. These changes, which were first tested in the minor leagues, had an immediate impact. In 2023, runners stole 3,503 bases and increased to 3,617 last season, the most in 109 years and the third most in any MLB season. The average game time was reduced to 2 hours and 36 minutes in 2024, the fastest in 40 years. Attendance and television viewership records were set in 2023 and broken in 2024. At the same time, it became more difficult for catchers to prevent runners from stealing bases. Catchers faced an increase of almost 12 and 14 stolen base attempts per season in 2023 and 2024, respectively, compared to 2022. Exchange times and pop times increased exponentially, as did the speed with which catchers throw on steal attempts. However, runners are faster and, due to the new limited disengagement rules for pitchers, are closer to their stolen bases than ever before. From 2016 to 2022, the lowest average percentage of runners caught stealing for a single season among qualified catchers was 22.28% in 2021. In 2023 it was 17.43% and, last season, it was 18.78%. As of July 7th, MLB runners have stolen 1,947 bases, on pace to surpass the 2024 total. The Minnesota Twins stole an MLB-low 65 bases in 2024; 14 teams already have more in 2025. Jerry Weinstein, catching consultant for the Chicago Cubs, says pitchers throw the ball to the plate in the range of 1.3 seconds, and catchers’ pop times are between 1.8 and 2.0 seconds.

“There’s nothing we can do to improve that, that’s a basic element,” Weinstein said. “The average runner runs 3.35, a tenth of a second for the tag… it’s a mathematical problem. If the base runner is perfect, and the catcher and pitcher are perfect according to those parameters, the guy will be safe most of the time. Which is exactly what we’re seeing.”

Jerry Weinstein, Chicago Cubs catching consultant

An MLB player development director points out that, even with the increase in stolen bases, the best hitters still control the efficiency with which they get outs.

“From an analytical point of view, balancing the count in your favor is more valuable than defending the stolen base,” said the director of player development. “Ninety feet matter in certain situations, [but] some teams don’t even care. They prefer that a guy execute his stuff: high kick, deliver the stuff, go for the punch.”

MLB Player Development Director

Behind the plate, there’s a different catcher archetype than 25 years ago. Now they’re bigger, taller, and can get under the ball with a one-knee-down stance behind the plate. But, unlike the days when an offensive catcher was a rarity, now a skilled offensive catcher can separate themselves from a jam.

“If you can’t hit,” he said, “it will cost you a lot of time to stay.”

MLB Amateur Baseball Scouting Director

A scout director of amateur baseball commented that the ability of catchers to bat and have an outstanding offensive performance is a key factor in their valuation. The combination of defensive and offensive skills is what distinguishes catchers in today’s baseball.

MLB scouts value Stevenson for his ability to adapt to the current demands of the position. Although he has shown defensive solidity, it is his performance with the bat that has caught attention: among Division I catchers who have played 90 games since 2024, Stevenson ranked second in home runs (33), third in runs (104), and sixth in OPS (.960). In addition, he led catchers in walks (107) and had the second-best chase rate (17.2%) and the second-highest number of pitches per at-bat (4.09).

Although some MLB scouts and player development personnel have questioned Stevenson’s defensive ability, others maintain that his power and hitting ability are so valuable that defensive concerns are secondary and correctable. An amateur baseball scouting director stated that Stevenson’s ceiling is to be a backup catcher at the MLB level.

In a team with a selection in the top 10 of the draft, an executive said that Stevenson is on the list because his defensive technique is easily adjustable, but a bat like that in a position like catcher is too rare to pass up.

“You could be an exceptional defensive catcher, but if you can’t hit, it’s difficult to make the roster as an everyday player,” he said.

Executive from a team with a top 10 draft pick

Steve Rodriguez, Stanford University’s catching coach, praised Stevenson’s hitting prowess and said he is underrated behind the plate. Stevenson, for his part, attributes his success to training and the inspiration of his mother, who also played as a catcher.

The evolution of the catcher position reflects the transformations of the game. David Ross, former player and manager of the Chicago Cubs, acknowledges that the current rules favor players with the ability to steal bases and that offense has gained importance. Jonathan Lucroy, two-time All-Star catcher, also agrees that game management and leadership are crucial to a catcher’s success. Lucroy emphasizes the importance of communication with pitchers and adapting to their individual needs. Lucroy predicts that catchers will adapt to the rule changes, and believes that the implementation of the automated ball-strike system (ABS) could lead catchers to adopt a more traditional stance, which would improve their ability to block the ball and eliminate runners. Sam Koerner, son of Jim Koerner, also aspires to be a catcher. Sam focuses on improving his speed and technique to face the challenges of the position. Jim Koerner, with years of experience in baseball, highlights the importance of confidence, leadership, and good relationships with pitchers.

In summary, the catcher position in modern baseball is a constantly changing playing field, where offensive ability, adaptation to the rules, and game management are key to success. The evolution of this position reflects the dynamics of baseball and the need to adapt to succeed in the sport.