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Colorado Rockies Countdown: Top Five Catchers

By James Keating

Mar 13, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Nick Hundley (4) throws the ball to first base for the out in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Nick Hundley (4) throws the ball to first base for the out in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Miguel Olivo (30) looks on from the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Miguel Olivo (30) looks on from the dugout during a game against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Miguel Olivo (2010, fWAR 2.7)

Regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his time, one might expect that Charles Johnson had Colorado’s best all-time defensive season for a catcher. To the contrary, as was mentioned, Johnson was far removed from his prime by the time he landed in Colorado. Although Johnson’s 2003 season ranks as one of the best ever defensive seasons for a Rockies catcher, the top the spot actually belongs to Miguel Olivo, proving that baseball is really weird.

Olivo’s 2010 season was a very odd one to say the least. According to the rSB statistic, which measures how many runs a catcher saves by preventing stolen bases, Olivo saved 11 runs in 2010. Not only was that rSB of 11 good enough for the top spot in 2010, but it is the greatest of all-time. Yes, you read that correctly. Now for the really weird part, despite Olivo being one of the best at cutting down runners, in 2010 he led the majors in passed balls with 10 and finished third in errors by a catcher with nine. But, Olivo’s DEF of 17 in 2010 is the best score by a Rockies catcher ever in a single season. In contrast, Johnson’s 2003 season is ranked second with a DEF of 10.7.

Next: The 5 Best Right-Handers in Colorado History

Olivo only spent one year with the club, not making him eligible for our original list, but he could handle the bat as well. Miguel enjoyed one of his best offensive outputs in his career with Colorado. In 112 games, Olivo had an OBP of .315 and smacked 14 home runs.

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