Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez got totally different strike zones in a recent game, and the video breaks down why. The umpire consistently called low pitches for strikes when Alvarez was catching, but called similar pitches balls for Rutschman. The framing differences between the two catchers were key. Alvarez stays low and brings his glove up quickly, letting the umpire see the pitch all the way in. Rutschman holds his glove high and jerks it down, which can block the umpire’s view and suggest he missed his spot.
The depth of the catchers’ positions also matters. Alvarez sets up much closer to home plate than Rutschman, making it easier to frame low pitches before gravity pulls them too far down. It also brings the catcher and umpire physically closer to the action, giving a better angle and more clarity on borderline pitches. The video includes multiple overlays showing that pitches to Mets hitters were sometimes lower than those to Orioles hitters, but still got called strikes because of how Alvarez presented them.
It’s a clear example of how subtle differences in catching technique can shape an umpire’s calls and impact a game. The Orioles dugout clearly noticed, chirping at the ump all game until tempers flared. While pitch tracking shows similar locations, who’s behind the plate made the bigger difference.