Has Atlanta's rising star eclipsed J.T. Realmuto as MLB's top catcher?
For the better part of the last decade, many regarded J.T. Realmuto as the best catcher in MLB. The former Marlin and current Phillies backstop has made three All-Star teams in addition to winning three Silver Slugger awards and two Gold Glove awards. However, one catcher this season is outperforming Realmuto: Atlanta's Sean Murphy.
This past offseason, the Braves acquired Murphy from Oakland in a three-team trade and promptly extended him for six years. Since then, Murphy has operated as one of the best catchers in the league, performing well in every facet of the game.
Defensively, Murphy has been a weapon. Catcher framing runs put a run value to the strikes catchers "steal" through framing. Murphy's six catcher framing runs rank second in the league, only behind Pittsburgh's Austin Hedges.
Additionally, Murphy ranks as top-10 in the league at preventing wild pitches while being tied for second in pop time, the time it takes to throw to second base.
Offensively, Murphy has improved significantly in his new home. Leaving Oakland Coliseum and its cavernous outfield has done wonders for his numbers -- the backstop's .920 OPS is well above his OPS in years prior. It's also the best among qualified catchers by a long shot, with Kansas City's Salvador Perez's .817 OPS the closest.
Murphy also ranks second in homers (12), RBIs (42) and on-base percentage (.384). However, the catchers ahead of him in those categories don't have the well-rounded game defensively that Murphy does.
At only 28, Murphy is just entering the prime of his career and has a bright future. He is looking to make the first All-Star team of his career. As of Monday's update, he leads all National League catchers in voting:
Murphy could very well be the best catcher in baseball.
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