Comments on: Catcher Depth

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 16:48:13 +0000

According to this article/analysis Hill ranks better defensively than Anderson, who ranked better than Pagnozzi. Extrapolated (per # of batters) Hill ranked better than Larue (and even better than Molina) — The power of small sample sizes!!!

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2010/11/10/1803183/2010-beyond-the-box-score-catcher-defense-rankings

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 15:00:35 +0000

CS% is only one aspect. The other hard thing (which I think Cruz is weak at) is blocking pitches in the dirt. The 3rd aspect is game calling and handling pitchers which I have no feel for with regard to Cruz.

By: easy

easy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:07:20 +0000

Wow, that’s interesting. It seems like for all of these guys we’re lacking specific information on their defense. Other than Hill (bad defense) and Derba (great defense) the reports are pretty vague. If Cruz is pretty good I like IC’s plan as a 3 postion bench man. It would give Tony much more in game leverage for making moves with his catchers (an option that he really hasn’t seemed to care about alas).
I agree with others that Anderson will not be on the big team this year, or any other year if Tony stays, which makes projections for all these guys hard to figure.

By: rydeshelby

rydeshelby — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:57:41 +0000

Stock’s problem is not being too young. Its he cannot hit enough. Sad, but so.
Casey Stengel used to manage the Mets. Of a 20 year player, Stengel said: “In 10 years, he has a chance to be 30.” Reminds me of Stock.

By: ArRedbird

ArRedbird — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:45:58 +0000

Cruz’s “caught stealing” rate — 47%

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:00:31 +0000

Same old litany: Stock is still very young for his level. He’ll have to repeat QC while Shelby moves on, but if he does figure out this hitting thing, I could see a career path for him where he kind of tags along half a year behind Shelby, getting time with him at the end of minor-league seasons. I wouldn’t bet on it, but weirder things have happened to very young players — he can’t even drink legally until next weekend.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 14:12:12 +0000

I think it is a stretch to think that Miller and Stock will ever be battery mates together again! I guess maybe in Spring Training but if that’s the only time what’s the point.

By: Swirls

Swirls — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:20:59 +0000

Stock was invited to ST last year (partially I think to be included as Miller’s battery mate). I’m thinking the same will hold true again this year.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:10:15 +0000

It will be interesting to see who gets the Spring Training invites as catchers. There are usually 4-5 not on the roster who get them to catch the extra pitchers. Assuming Cruz is on the 40 man roster I think you’ll see Derba, De La Cruz, Stanley and ?????. I think it will be telling for Cutler whether he gets one or not. Possibly Stock as well.

By: cariocacardinal

cariocacardinal — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:06:11 +0000

I like the thinking. Particularly if Hill continues to hit but doesn’t have a position.

I really hope Stavinoha is not on our bench next year but if he is, I think the scenario you propose works well.