"breaking out with a .258/.317/.438 batting line (107 wRC+) and swatting 18 home runs. He coupled that better-than-average offense - particularly relative to his position - with top-of-the-scale defensive grades; Heim nabbed 29.3% of the runners who attempted to swipe a base against him (well above that season's average 20.6%), was solid in terms of blocking balls in the dirt, and was the fourth-best catcher in the sport in terms of pitch framing, per Statcast."
"Given that the league-average catcher tends to be about 10-12% worse than the league-average hitter at the plate, having a plus defender behind the dish with 15- to 20-homer pop and better-than-average rate stats is immensely valuable. Heim rated as a plus defender in both 2021 and 2022, and his offensive improvements in '23 looked to have thrust himself into the conversation for one of the most valuable all-around catchers in the game."
"Instead, all aspects of his skill set have taken a step back in the two seasons since. He's drawn league-average framing grades since 2023 and seen his throwing drop off considerably, with just a 13.7% caught-stealing rate in 2024-25. His pop time behind the plate has crept north of two seconds, and his average velocity on throws to second base dipped from 81.1 mph in '23 to 79.5 mph in '25."
Jonah Heim is at Braves camp and has agreed to a one-year major-league contract. He is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council. Heim broke out in 2023 with a .258/.317/.438 batting line, 107 wRC+ and 18 home runs while posting elite defensive grades, including a 29.3% caught-stealing rate and top-four pitch framing per Statcast. League-average catchers hit roughly 10–12% worse than average, making Heim's 2023 profile highly valuable. Since 2023, his framing and throwing have declined, with a 13.7% caught-stealing rate in 2024–25, slower pop times, lower throw velocity, and a .217/.269/.334 batting line across 924 plate appearances.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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