{"id":547361,"date":"2026-01-31T08:29:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T08:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/547361\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T08:29:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T08:29:11","slug":"giants-patrick-bailey-is-mlbs-top-defensive-player-per-analyst-nbc-sports-bay-area-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/547361\/","title":{"rendered":"Giants\u2019 Patrick Bailey is MLB\u2019s top defensive player, per analyst \u2013 NBC Sports Bay Area & California"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since his MLB debut in 2023, Patrick Bailey<\/a> has been — without a doubt — one of the best defensive catchers in the majors, as backed up by his consecutive Gold Gloves the last two seasons.<\/p>\n

And on Friday, MLB analyst Mike Petriello took the recognition one step further, declaring the Giants backstop the current No. 1 defensive player among all major leaguers.<\/p>\n

“If you look at [Bailey], he’s been in the league for three years — wasn’t even here the full year the first time — he has led in Statcast Fielding Run Value every single year,” Petriello explained on MLB Now. “That’s three years running.<\/p>\n

“I know the bat isn’t there, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Elite framer, elite blocker, actually has improved his blocking … . He’s elite.”<\/p>\n

.@mike_petriello<\/a>‘s Top 10 Defensive Players Right Now:<\/p>\n

1. Patrick Bailey
2. Pete Crow-Armstrong
3. Ceddanne Rafaela
4. Denzel Clarke
5. Ke’Bryan Hayes
6. Bobby Witt Jr.
7. Alejandro Kirk
8. Jacob Young
9. Nico Hoerner
10. Steven Kwan pic.twitter.com\/yKcwJz7mvb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Now (@MLBNow) January 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

For additional context on just how dominant Bailey has been in the Fielding Runs Value stat, he has +79 runs<\/a> in his three MLB seasons. The next closest player, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, comes in at just +50 runs.<\/p>\n

Much of Bailey’s dominance in this metric is a result of his framing, which accounts for 65 of the 79 runs. Of course, with the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system being added full-time in MLB for the upcoming season, it remains to be seen whether that neutralizes the effect of Bailey’s framing. <\/p>\n

However, Bailey also ranks highly in other fielding aspects behind the plate. His +16 throwing runs are five more than any other catcher since his 2023 debut; Bailey has thrown out 55 attempted base stealers in that frame with a 29-percent caught stealing rate.<\/p>\n

And finally, as Petriello noted, Bailey’s blocking — which was once a weakness — now ranks above average, too. After recording -2 blocking runs<\/a> in his rookie season, he improved in that category to an even 0 in 2024 and +1 in 2025. <\/p>\n

So even if Bailey’s framing isn’t as impactful in 2026, he still should remain one of the top defensive catchers — and overall players — across MLB.<\/p>\n

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

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