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Why Jonah Heim should have been on MLB Network's top ten catchers list

MLB Network released a list of their top ten catchers in the league right now. Jonah Heim was nowhere to be found on that list. The Gold Glove catcher had one the best seasons of his career and helped the Texas Rangers win the World Series. Here are three reasons Heim should be on MLB Network's top ten catchers list.

By Brian Sweet

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Josh Sborz (66) celebrates with catcher Jonah Heim (28) after beating
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Josh Sborz (66) celebrates with catcher Jonah Heim (28) after beating / Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY
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I'm sure most of you are still trying to wrap your head around why Jonah Heim is not on MLB Network's Top Ten Right Now catchers list they posted last week. After starting in the 2023 All-Star game in Seattle, winning the World Series, and receiving a Gold Glove award, it's surprising to see him left off the list. He is one of the top catchers in the game today, and the fact MLB Network doesn't recognize that is shocking. Here are some reasons why Heim should be on this list.

Jonah Heim Top Ten Catchers List Snub: He's better than Alejandro Kirk statistically

One of the reasons why Heim deserves to be in the top ten is because he is better than Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk. If you plug both players into Stathead Baseball's player comparison tool and compare their stats from last season, Heim is better in every category except OBP. No disrespect to Kirk, but Heim should have his spot at number seven.

Jonah Heim Top Ten Catchers List Snub: One of the best framers in the league

Another statistic that should have Heim on the top ten list is he was one of the best framers last season. According to Baseball Savant, Heim was the third-best framer in the league last season. This statistic is the ability to make a ball just off the plate look like a strike. He finished with 52.5% during the 2023 season. None of the other nine catchers are above him in this statistic. Check out some of Heim's framing in game 3 of the ALCS below to see how good of a framer he is.

Jonah Heim Top Ten Catchers List Snub: Three of the catchers on this list were eliminated by Heim and the Rangers

The last reason Heim deserves to be in the top ten is three of these catchers on the list lost to the Rangers in the playoffs. Adley Rutschman is the only exemption because he is statistically better than Heim by a mile. Yainer Diaz and Gabriel Moreno were the last two catchers the Rangers eliminated from the playoffs. Heim should have been considered for the list over Diaz and Moreno.

In conclusion, Heim was snubbed from the top ten catchers list that MLB Network put out last week. This might be a blessing in disguise, as being left off the list might motivate Heim this upcoming season. Pitchers and catchers report in a month to begin spring training. After winning a World Series title, let's see if Heim is motivated to take his game to the next level.

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