MINNEAPOLIS -- The concept of pitch framing is certainly nothing new, but over the last five years, it's become a measurable statistic to see how much impact a catcher has on his pitching staff in terms of getting strikes called on pitches inside and outside the zone.
The new Twins front office, led by Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, understands the value of pitch framing, and that is a major reason why the club signed Jason Castro to a three-year deal worth $24.5 million. Castro is coming off a down year offensively, but his defensive metrics stand out, and he should be a boost to a pitching staff that had the second-worst ERA in the Majors last year.