Mon Nov 14, 2022 10:12 am
I don't fully trust my skills at filtering retrosheet play by play data but it looks to me like it (ground ball double plays initiated by catcher) happened an average of close to 16 times per season over ten seasons (2011-2021, ex 2020). In 2021 it only happened 8 times - 4 times involved throwing to second base then to first. 2 times were bases loaded, step on the plate situations, 1 was a throw to third and then first, and one time appears to be tag a tag the batter and then throw to third play.
I've also downloaded three seasons of play by play from SOM 2021 seasons, that's about 20% more games than a MLB season. I found 27 catch-x ground ball double plays.