How Matt Wieters has become an elite throwing catcher again

SAN DIEGO - Managers will always say a pitcher is more responsible for the opposition's success stealing bases than the catcher who actually makes the throws. If a pitcher can't vary his timing and can't deliver the ball to the plate in short order with a runner on base, the catcher can't do much to make up for lost time, no matter how strong his arm.

So a good amount of the credit for the Nationals' success at stopping the running so far this season - they've thrown out 48 percent of all would-be base stealers, the second-best rate in the majors - must go to Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and the rest of the pitching staff. Plus a coaching staff, led by bench coach Chip Hale, that prepares a game plan designed to make life more difficult on opposing runners who might be tempted to make a run for it.

"Chip does a great job of knowing when to throw over and keep runners on guard," catcher Matt Wieters said. "And our pitchers have taken to the idea that 90 feet is a big deal. Don't give them up if you don't have to."

Don't discount, however, the improvements Wieters himself has made behind the plate. The veteran catcher caught two of the three Padres who tried to steal second base off him Monday night, and has now thrown out eight of 14 on the season. That 57.1 percent rate ranks second in the majors behind only the Marlins' Bryan Holaday and is a 22 percent improvement from last season.

Wieters made it a point of emphasis this spring, working with bullpen coach (and catching instructor) Henry Blanco and special assistant and former catcher Bob Boone to tighten up his footwork, helping get him in position to make a strong throw faster.

"It was some technical things that didn't feel right," Wieters said. "And it finally feels pretty good. When the ball comes out of my hand, it's got the carry it needs on it."

And don't discount the fact that Wieters is as healthy as he's been in at least five years. Last season, he was still dealing with the residual effects of a cut on his left forearm that all but eliminated his typical offseason training regimen. And prior to that, he was still completing a long comeback from 2014 Tommy John surgery, an unusual procedure for a catcher but one that nonetheless included a lengthy rehab.

How long did it take before Wieters felt like he was all the way back from that ligament replacement surgery?

"Like two years, maybe 2 1/2," he said. "I was surprised. You see all the success stories from Tommy John. And I knew it was something that probably needed to be done, and I knew it was something that eventually we'd get back to where we were. But for being a catcher, it's a little tougher rehab than you'd think.

"You think, for position players, it's easier because you don't make that many throws. Which is true. But being able to have the quick release is something that takes time. You don't realize it, but you're putting a new ligament in your arm. It takes a while for it to figure out what the heck it's doing now."

Prior to his injury, Wieters was among the best throwing catchers in the game, with a caught-stealing rate in the high 30s. From 2014-17, though, he threw out only 28 percent of base stealers.

He probably won't be able to sustain his current pace all season, but he and the Nationals are confident he has turned a significant corner and is far more efficient than he has been in some time.

"Credit Wieters; he's worked on it," manager Davey Martinez said. "And he's healthy. That's a huge thing, that he feels really good. And we're trying to get him to stay that way. ... His footwork is really good. I credit him being able to have a healthy winter, and to be able to come to spring training healthy and ready to work. He looks good right now."

Is it possible Wieters' elbow post-surgery is actually better than it was when he first reached the majors? He's not ready to go quite that far.

"Your original ligament is your best ligament," he said. "That's why God gave you that ligament. He doesn't want you to have to move one. But it's better now than it was pre-surgery. And it's getting stronger. I feel like the further I get away from the surgery, as long as I stay on top of my shoulder program, I continue to get stronger and continue to protect it."

Note: Matt Grace threw one inning tonight in a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse and appears to be close to returning to the Nationals bullpen. Grace, who went on the disabled list April 21 with a strained left groin, issued a leadoff walk in the seventh inning tonight but retired the next three batters and departed having thrown 7-of-14 pitches for strikes. The lefty is slated to pitch another inning for the Chiefs on Thursday, after which the Nats could choose to activate him.