Posted by pjfoster13 on 7/5/2018 5:18:00 PM (view original):
As a corollary to this, catcher "pitch calling" isn't actually literal pitch calling because there is no pitch sequence. Based on MikeT's (and others') old numbers, it appears to be functioning at the same frequency as pitch FRAMING. And if you compare HBD numbers to real life framing stats of the top guys like the Molinas vs DH scrubs like Ryan Doumit, the influences on OAV are similar. It's like a + play for the catcher that isn't scored on the player card but appears ... somewhere else. I think it shows up in team stats as better K/BB ratio because of extra "strike out looking"s or something.
That's my theory at least. People have realiably measured the actual effects but nobody knows for sure why or how. Pitch calling is "magic" but it can't actually be magic, it must be in the formula somewhere. Based on my experience it's ^^ this
Catcher's PC rating is just a modifier, one variable in a large formula along with vsR, vsL and the P1-P5 ratings, as well as the hitter's ratings, that determine the outcome of a pitcher/hitter matchup.