Yadier Molina vs. Ivan Rodriguez

[natsbats]

Who you got?

[Fly]

Career wise? Talent Wise? If it's career wise it's gotta be Ivan, but if it's what I think it'll be when it's all said and done it might just be Yadi.

[natsbats]

Prime vs. Prime is what I was thinking as it's the only logical comparison, Yadier still had numerous years left in his career so it'd be unfair to compare their careers.

[LASportsFan1996]

Pudge

[Jeffy25]

Molina is going to have to continue to hit like he has the last two years for like 12 more years to have a chance to beat Pudge

[Lord_of_Dogtown]

Pudgy

[northsider]

LOL Pudge. Pudge was a bat impact for a catcher at age 22. Molina's first true bat break out year was last year at age 29. It's really not close although Molina is coming off a great season however I personally think he peaked. He will prob. put up good numbers but, I don't think it's getting much better from 30 on for Yadi.

[natsbats]

LOL Pudge. Pudge was a bat impact for a catcher at age 22. Molina's first true bat break out year was last year at age 29. It's really not close although Molina is coming off a great season however I personally think he peaked. He will prob. put up good numbers but, I don't think it's getting much better from 30 on for Yadi.

Pudge never had a wRC+ of over 120 until '99 when he was 27.

Molina didn't do it until last year, age 28.

[todu82]

Ivan Rodriguez easily.

[Jeffy25]

LOL Pudge. Pudge was a bat impact for a catcher at age 22. Molina's first true bat break out year was last year at age 29. It's really not close although Molina is coming off a great season however I personally think he peaked. He will prob. put up good numbers but, I don't think it's getting much better from 30 on for Yadi.

wOBA and wRC+ by age season

Age 21
Pudge - .319, 93
Molina - .297, 77

Age 22
Pudge - .364, 111
Molina - .285, 71

Age 23
Pudge - .338, 94
Molina - .263, 54

Age 24
Pudge - .350, 97
Molina - .313, 86

Age 25
Pudge - .365, 114
Molina - .326, 97

Age 26
Pudge - .375, 119
Molina - .336, 106

Age 27
Pudge - .388, 125
Molina - .300, 84

Age 28
Pudge - .428, 148
Molina - .353, 125

Age 29
Pudge - .375, 125
Molina - .375, 139

It is worth noting two things. Pudge played in a hitters paradise most of his career, while Molina has been in a mostly neutral park.

And it's worth noting that Molina is the better defensive catcher, even with Pudge possibly being one of the best of all time.

The age 29 season that Molina just turned in is his best of his career offensively, and the first that beats out a Pudge season.


However, for Molina to be better than Pudge the rest of their careers offensively at least, should be fairly easy.

Pudge from his age 30 season until retirement:
.288/.325/.438 - 100 OPS+

While that might be more power than Molina has, Molina should be able to match that 100 OPS+ depending on his decline of course.

4648 PA of course.

Molina likely will not go down as a better hitter, but Molina could potentially retire as the best defensive catcher of all time. It's very possible.

[natsbats]

I don't think the potential 3 world series titles as catcher would hurt his legacy either.

Molina will be remembered for years.

[northsider]

So like I said, Pudge.

[bagwell368]

YM > Pudge

[Gram]

I-Rod.

[Jeffy25]

YM > Pudge

Really?

Could you elaborate?

Even as a Cards fan, I have to take Pudge