Jets White Out
Fansided

The 2018-2019 Winnipeg Jets Reimagined: The NHL Meets MLB

By Kyle McCarthy

A panoramic view of Yankee Stadium during the New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders NHL regular season game held outdoors at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, USA. 29th January 2014. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
A panoramic view of Yankee Stadium during the New York Rangers Vs New York Islanders NHL regular season game held outdoors at Yankee Stadium, The Bronx, New York, USA. 29th January 2014. Photo Tim Clayton (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – JULY 23: J.T. Realmuto #11 of the Miami Marlins attempts to catch the throw from the outfield in the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on July 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Look, it makes sense to compare a goalie to a catcher. They both wear extra gear, they’re getting things launched at them at ridiculous speeds. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to be either one of them, but whatever.

Connor Hellebuyck was a solid prospect who had some decent time in the NHL. J.T. Realmuto is a catcher who had seen a little over three seasons before this one.

Both of them were decently regarded. Realmuto was already considered a solid catcher, however, whereas the jury was still out on Connor Hellebuyck.

That jury is out no longer. On either player. Both backstops put forth their best seasons in this most recent one. Yes, the MLB season is still in full swing. But halfway through, Realmuto has been the best catcher in the league.

He’s really turning it on. He leads all catchers in WAR (Wins above replacement) by a full win. A player with some experience blasting expectations and really performing well? Sounds like Hellebuyck.

Look, they don’t have a ‘best catcher’ award for MLB, so it’s hard to find an equivalent for the Vezina (Unless you want to use pitchers and the Cy Young award). But going from middle of the pack to top 5 with one huge season?

That sounds about as equatable as anything, to me. I’m not going to find things as stastically relevant, but this was a fun divergence from that battle. Maybe the next goalie should be matched with a pitcher.

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