New York Mets backstop Wilson Ramos is no defensive whiz — this is not news — but he’s trying to change that.

The 32-year-old Venezuelan product had a fine first year in Flushing, especially at the plate, slashing .288/.351/.416 with a glowing 13.2% strikeout rate — 12th among all qualified MLB hitters; go ahead, read it again — and a respectable 105 wRC+ with 14 homers, 19 doubles and 73 RBIs over 524 plate appearances.

The Buffalo’s offensive output in 2019 was not his problem. Ramos’ defensive inefficiencies behind the dish — most glaringly his subpar framing skills — were. They may not have necessarily set this team back last season, but it certainly didn’t do that pitching-rich roster any favors.

Per Baseball Savant, Ramos was among one of the worst defensive catchers in the majors last year. His -4 runs via extra strikes ranked 50th out of 64 qualified backstops and his 46.8% strike rate on all pitches ranked 47th. Not great.

The Big Fella’s individual zone metrics behind the plate shine an even more disturbing light on the situation.

On pitches low but just out of the strike zone, Ramos’ 33.1% strike rate was worst in MLB and his strike percentages on the low corners — 16.5% bottom right, catcher’s perspective; 22.6% bottom left — ranked third-to-last and last, respectively, among that same group.

For reference, 44% of Noah Syndergaard‘s pitches last season were thrown below the middle of the strike zone with whiff rates of 47% and 62% on the bottom left and right corners (catcher’s perspective), respectively.

Same goes for Marcus Stroman (56% below the middle of the zone; 29% and 55% whiff rates in the lower left and right corners, respectively) and Jacob deGrom (40% in the bottom of the zone; his whiff rates elite across the board, does it really matter?).

Seems like Wilson Ramos improving this specific facet of his defensive game should be at the top of his and new Mets catching instructor Brian Schneider‘s list this offseason.

As per reports coming out of Port St. Lucie on Monday, Ramos has already begun to address the issue.

“It was hard to get [low pitches] a little bit because I’m a big guy. This spring, I would like to work more with my knee on the ground,” Ramos told the team’s press corps (quoted via Tim Healey, Newsday). “That will help me to get that low target to my guys.”

As for Syndergaard — who infamously requested to pitch to Rene Rivera down the stretch last season, possibly due to a hesitation to pitch low to Ramos; who knows? — Ramos appears to have put this work in with the hulking right-hander in mind.

“It’s more about communication, because I already know how [Syndergaard] likes to throw, how he throws,” Ramos said (via Mike Puma, New York Post). “He likes a good target, so I will be working more with my low target to get him happier and comfortable on the mound.”

Great news. A more happy and comfortable Thor makes for a more happy and comfortable team, front office and fan base.