Snap Throw to First

[Bombers]

It seems to me that the snap throw to first is somewhat of a lost art among Brewers catchers. Granted you are not going to "get" many guys out that way, but it can cause them to shorten their lead if they know the catcher will pick them off. It seems like other catchers do it to us much more. With the many speed guys we have, and them getting large secondary leads, I am not suprised that we see so many throws to first but I am suprised we never throw to first ourselves.

 

To me it almost seems like a fundamental choice that our coaching doesn't want them throwing to first. Whether it is Lucroy/Nieves or was Kendall/Kottaras/etc, I just think we don't use this part of the game to the best of our ability.

 

What do others think?

[MJLiverock]

I don't know that the Brewers have had a catcher in recent years I would trust to make a snap throw from the knees behind the batter to first, especially with Fielder being on the receiving end. I don't think the risk of shortening the lead compared to the number of balls that end up in RF would be worth it with the Brewers catchers over the last 5 years.

[TooLiveBrew]

I think you have to have a catcher with a really good arm for the snap throws to be worthwhile. Who's the last guy the Brewers had that had a cannon? Blanco? Certainly not anyone on the roster right now.

[jerichoholicninja]

Not worth the risk. The only guy who consistently does it now is Yadier.

[Baldkin]

You have to have a 1B who can get back to the bag quickly as well. Prince just can't do that.