How relevant is pitch calling? Has anyone seen any tangible gains with a catcher that has a high rating? Or vice versa with a low rating? Thanks. 

First understanding how pitches are used by the system is necessary.  Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that the engine doesn't necessarily determine what each individual pitch is going to be, but rather it uses all ratings between pitcher, catcher and batter to determine the outcome of each at-bat.  I think the way it works is as follows (simplified):  Say you have a catcher with a PC of 97 and a pitcher with 5 pitches rated 90-80-50-40-30.  I'm guessing that what happens is that a weighted average (or something similar - weighing more heavily on pitch 1 and decreasing to pitch 5) is taken of all the pitches a pitcher has (in this case it would be 58) and then somehow the catcher's PC is factored in to weigh more heavily on the better pitches.  How this occurs I don't know, but effectively it pushes that "average" and makes the pitch variable that is used in the simulation that much better.  So, what does that mean?  If you only use pitchers that have all pitch ratings in the 80+ range, then I doubt that a good PC catcher is of any good.  On the other hand, if you all your pitchers have all their pitch ratings at 60-, then a good PC catcher is going to do no good either.  My guess is that they only make a difference with pitchers who have a wide range of pitches.  This is all my theory, does anyone have anything to add or take away from it?

PC directly effects OAV...thats really the only thing you need to know...Whether you feel OAV is important is up to you...I've never had a bat worth enough to go less than 70 PC...Usually mine are 80-85 and I'm always looking to upgrade their bat while keeping the PCing consistant.

Look at my HBD record. I'm not bragging but my point is that high pitch callers work for me. OK? Everyone does it differently but I prefer no catcher has a pitch calling number of below 85. I can show you numerous instances but look at this guy. Look at his season stats for the last two years and think about this.

Last season was in a pitcher's park (Iowa) with crappy catchers. This season was in a hitter's park (Boise) with good pitch callers. He was nominated for a Cy Young this season.

http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=1936030

About 3/4 of my pitching staff had the best years of their career. I don't think this guy's substantial upswing is a fluke. I simply think he needs a good catcher to be a good pitcher.

I look at it this way. There are 45-50 PCs all over every league because people fall in love with a certain catcher's offense. But those guys are truly DHs posing as catchers. I really try to get over 90 on PC. Doesn't seem like a big deal does it?

What is the difference in the number of homeruns a 90 power guy will hit versus a 50 power guy, if everything else is the same?

You can find evidence around your league by just looking at teams. Look for one of those teams that has a 40 pitch caller and a 70 pitch caller and look at their Catcher's ERA (on the defensive stats tab). There are times when you will find exceptions because sometimes a guy is effected by either being a starter or a sub (cause some teams have bad starters and good bullpens or vice versa) but in general you will find that the guy with 70 PC vs. 40 PC gives up a full run less per game, in my experience.

I feel like a high PC catcher is just as important as the ace of your staff, because he will effect every pitcher on your staff.

I think these opinions, while certainly valid, are not the general consensus. Most of the posts I've read on this subject in the past point towards not putting much stock in a C's PC rating.

Methinks PC proponents are a VOCAL minority

It makes a difference.   10 points, no big deal.  40 points, you'll notice.

I didn't notice.

You drafted Kolb and Stafford as your only QBs.   You didn't get laid in college.    These two things alone invalidate your supposed knowledge on any subject.

Posted by cdc80uf on 9/28/2010 4:31:00 AM:
PC directly effects OAV

So does every other pitcher rating, and every defensive rating.

It's not useful information.

Well I look at it this way, ballparking a 1.4 WHIP league average, you're catcher's PC is going to affect approx 2000 plate appearances or more thru a season.  Your catchers will get about 800 at bats in a season.

Seems like PC should be the top priority for any catcher

Wouldn't it matter how much effect it has?   Suppose those 800 AB have 3 times the effect of those 2000 PA.    2400>2000

Posted by taz21 on 9/28/2010 3:53:00 PM (view original):
Well I look at it this way, ballparking a 1.4 WHIP league average, you're catcher's PC is going to affect approx 2000 plate appearances or more thru a season.  Your catchers will get about 800 at bats in a season.

Seems like PC should be the top priority for any catcher

Batting ratings effect on results of plate appearances: large and measurable to statistical significance.

Pitch calling ratings effect on results of plate appearances: unknown and not many have come forward with strong statistical evidence.

FWIW, I think pitch calling is fairly important. But, all things being equal, I will take 90 power and 50 pitch calling over 50 power and 90 pitch calling any day. I'm confident that the 90 power guy will hit about 20 home runs more than the 50 power guy over the course of the season. I'm not so confident that the 90 pitch calling saves me 25+ runs more than the 50 power guy.

Just anecdotal evidence.  I frequently use low PC catchers.  Seems they can never throw more than 10-15 % of base stealers out, no matter what their arm rating is.  That's the only reason I include PC in my rating system.  Recently caught a DH with 12 pc (and 9 range) at AAA for a half dozen or so games.  His CERA was in the same range as the team's other C.  However, although his arm rating was decent, opponents stole everything but his mask, and he never threw anybody out.