Two reasons why Red Sox catcher Reese McGuire is back to being one of MLB’s best at throwing out runners - The Boston Globe (2024)

ST. LOUIS — Scouting reports praised catcher Reese McGuire’s defense when the Pirates picked him in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft. It was his best skill set, combining exquisite blocking and footwork with a strong arm.

In 2022, McGuire led the American League in caught-steal percentage (33 percent). But that number dropped all the way to 17 percent last year, nabbing just seven runners in 41 steal attempts. One of McGuire’s greatest gifts had abandoned him.

This year, however, McGuire is once again making runners think before attempting to steal, registering a 30 percent caught-steal percentage, cutting down six runners in 20 attempts.

So, what changed?

The answer is twofold.

“You only have a chance as much as the pitcher gives you as far as time to the plate,” McGuire said prior to Saturday’s 7-2 loss to the Cardinals. “So we’ve done a good job lately of controlling the running game with slide steps and holding the ball, and, you know, giving us a chance to throw the guy out.”

Last season’s implementation of MLB’s rule limiting pitchers to a maximum of three pickoff attempts per plate appearance was an adjustment for the Sox pitchers. They had to learn to mix up their looks to first — or second — base, understanding when to throw over and when not to during an at-bat. Pitchers had to key in more to their patterns, ensuring they were mixing up their tempo and speed on the mound. Sometimes it would involve being quick to the plate. Other times, pitchers would slow the pace and hold the ball longer when they came set.

That proved to be tough for Sox pitchers, which, in part, led to McGuire seeing a dip in the his success throwing out runners.

However, the other aspect of McGuire’s return to prominence involved going back to what he always did: catching in a crouched position, at times, with men on instead of being on one knee, a method that is taught league-wide in an effort to steal strikes at the bottom of the zone.

“Mechanically, there’s been a couple lately where I have not been with my right knee on the ground,” said McGuire. “I’ve been two legs up. So I’ve felt a little more athletic to be able to throw like I traditionally have all my career. Being down on my right knee and then trying to make a throw is still a work in progress. It’s still a learning adjustment. So lately a couple of my good throws have been with two feet up.”

The Sox have seen the benefit of having both McGuire and Connor Wong playing well. And for McGuire, he’s back to flashing his arm again.

“We were joking yesterday that Reese plays two out of three and he does well,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Then Wong plays three straight in St. Louis. That’s the beauty of having two good catchers.”

Mata out of options

Bryan Mata (hamstring) continued his rehab assignment for High A Greenville, pitching two innings Saturday, yielding four hits, two runs, and a walk.

The righthander doesn’t have any minor league options left and must be added to the parent club at the end of his rehab stint. If he’s not added to the roster, the Sox would have to designate him for assignment.

“We just want him to throw strikes and hopefully the stuff is back,” Cora said. “It’s hard. So we’ll see what happens in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully he stays healthy. That’s the most important thing.”

Nothing new on Whitlock

Cora didn’t have any new information on Garrett Whitlock, who the team shut down indefinitely due to elbow soreness. Cora said the club will know more Monday . . . Wong will catch every game this series. Temperatures are set to reach 90 degrees Sunday in St. Louis . . . Isaiah Campbell (shoulder) is set to throw a live batting practice for Triple A Worcester Sunday. The Sox reliever has been on the injured list since April 12 . . . Catcher Tyler Heineman (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day IL and optioned to Triple A Worcester after Friday’s game.

Julian McWilliams can be reached at julian.mcwilliams@globe.com. Follow him @byJulianMack.