Being an MLB catcher has to be one of the hardest jobs in professional sports.
It’s one of the most physically demanding positions in baseball, if not the most.
Just think about it: you have to be crouched for as long as your team is pitching, and that has some impact on the knees over the long-term (and the short-term, too).
In addition to that, catching MLB-caliber fastballs has got to hurt even a little, and yes, that is despite having a catcher’s mitt.
Just look at a live bullpen session from MLB pitchers from a catcher’s perspective.
POV: You are catching a bullpen session with big leaguers. 😳 pic.twitter.com/32yVpBt4wR
— MLB (@MLB) January 23, 2023
First of all, it’s a very cool angle.
Second, consistently being on the receiving end of 95 or 100-mph fastballs makes our hands sore just from picturing it.
A catcher also has to have enough athleticism to block balls from going to the backstop, a good throwing arm to keep the running game at bay, clear and concise communication skills to be on the same page as his pitcher, and know the repertoire of each and every hurler on the team.
No wonder they aren’t traditionally great hitters, with all the work they have to put in other aspects of the game.
For them, hitting is a bonus, although the number of talented batters at the position is growing every day.
Do you still want to be an MLB catcher?
One thing is for sure: those who pursue that as a career do it because they love it, and want to be involved in as much of the game as possible.
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