Comments on: 2009 Outlook: Catchers

By: shaneo69

shaneo69 — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:46:33 +0000

Still wouldn’t trade B. Anderson. Yadi’s got a concussion background and now this lingering thigh bruise. Hopefully Anderson will be hitting .388 in Memphis when Yadi goes down next year so we don’t have to see another month of Fu Manchu LaRue starting.

By: Balkroth

Balkroth — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:06:46 +0000

Dan Szymborski posted his MLE’s today
http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/oracle/discussion/2008_minor_league_translations/

Andersons MLE for Memphis .263/.328/.342
Springfield .309/.329/ .383

By: Wade

Wade — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:20:35 +0000

I just can’t see Anderson being called up to be Yadi’s backup at the beginning of the season and I definitely don’t see how being able to play some other INF helps his trade value.

If someone wants him, it’s going to be as a C and he still needs some work there. He doesn’t have the power to play 1B or the experience to play anywhere else in the INF. I could see them leaving him in AAA for about two/three months (if not traded in the offseason) to continue to work on defense. Then, if he’s going to be included in a deal, they can bring him up and start to showcase him a little to see if he can hit MLB pitchers like he has in the minors (kinda like Salty last year in ATL even though that was more due to McCann’s injury).

By: El Hombre

El Hombre — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:40:36 +0000

I don’t think Yarbrough is the type of prospect that would block someones else’s natural progression. Yarbrough is a servicable AA catcher, but doesn’t offer a lot of promise more than that. I forsee Yarbrough being the back-up in AAA, unless Cruz proves he can’t hold down the AA spot.

By: GForce

GForce — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:51:30 +0000

I can’t see TLR keeping Anderson’s bat out of the lineup for long, and he will want to find at-bats for him. As for Cruz in AA, I initially had him penciled in to start for the SCards, but I think it will depend on how the Memphis lineup shapes up. If Anderson is catching in AAA to start the year, Yarbrough more than likely stays the starter in Springfield, and Cruz will need innings.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:38:36 +0000

I also believe Cruz will start at Springfield. He is not totally new to catching. He was drafted previously by the Dodgers as a catcher I believe and I know when he originally worked out for the Cardinals draft he was worked out as a catcher.

By: PJ

PJ — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:08:10 +0000

I hope you’re right about Anderson getting some infield work. That would only boost his trade value IMO.

By: AC

AC — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:49:50 +0000

I believe Tony Cruz is going to start the season in Springfield. He is going to play catcher during winter ball so that will more game behind to plate to get more comfortable. We know he can hit, he just needs some more games behind the plate.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:10:28 +0000

Luhnow says has said Hill will play catcher in the AFL (though he’s currently only a taxi squad member limited to 2 games a week). However, I’ll only believe he’s a catcher if they let him play games there during the real season.

I’d rate Derba and Vasquez ahead of Yarborough and Cardona. Derba is at least is a ++ defender even if he never hits. I’ve heard Vasquez is more than solid defensively and he has hit even if old for his leagues. Yarborough doesn’t seem to have much upside defensively or offensively. Just last year Luhnow was saying Cardona would probably end up as a 1B man though they did let him catch most of the time this year.