12 thoughts on “Around the System (Catchers)”

1. Let’s take a quick look at Lou Marson. On the surface it is ugly. 100 point drops in slugging, OBP and BA. A couple important stats however tell a different story.

   Isolated Power (slugging minus batting average)
   2008: .102
   2009: .098

   BB/PA
   2008: .17
   2009: .11

   Minor dip in walk rate, power is the same. Marson’s drop is almost entirely batting average related. Is that the dreaded groundball tendencies catching up with him or is this just a fluke. I suspect the truth is somewhere in the middle.

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2. This is sort of depressing, between Valle, D’Arnaud, and Marson, I’m having a hard time figuring out who is having the best year… (or worst for that matter).

   One thing I like, Travis is putting up great power numbers thus far for a catcher… I didn’t realize he has 7 Hr’s… If he could just get that average up above .270 this will turn into a good year for him.

   Marson may end up a career backup, he just doesn’t seem to have the skill to be a MLB Starter… Hopefully he’ll prove me wrong by years end but I have always been more cautious with his evaluation due to the slow bat speed/lack of power.

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3. When it comes to position prospects and hitting, I view catchers a lot differently than I view other players. I am not sure exactly what it is, but catchers often do not blossom as hitters until they are in their late twenties. I think it’s a combination of having a position that’s so all-consumming that the player cannot adequately focus on his offense. Another partial explanation is that, by sitting behind the plate all game, the catcher gets a much better feel, knowledge and instintc for pitchers and how to hit them. Whatever it is, it makes me a whole hell of a lot less concerned about Lou Marson.

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4. I’m wondering how Naughton’s caught stealing numbers seem so much lower this year – he’s worked with many of his SP before, does that mean last year was a fluke? Any ideas?

   That’s the only difference for me between Naughton and Marson, as far as the numbers go. Naughton’s also younger, and an aussie (which lowers his developmental age, does it not?)

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5. i dont like having Travis and Valle splitting time like that, i really think they both need to be the type that gets consistant AB’s and innings. With short season starting soon, i might move Valle to Williamsport and let one of the college draft C’s back up Travis at Lakewood.

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6. Ryan H,

   this year the numbers look pretty close. But look at each of their age 22 seasons then. Naughton is doing what he is now at Clearwater. Marson at 22 hit .300 at Reading… big difference in my opinion.

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7. I was troubled by Naughton’s caught stealing numbers too. I’m wondering how much of that is pitcher related? Arzena’s numbers are very low too. If pitchers aren’t giving him a shot at throwing a guy out, it doesn’t matter how good your arm is. Has anybody seen Naughton this year?

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8. Who says D’Arnaud and Valle split time. If you had followed the box scores, most games D”Arnaud catches and Valle is the Designated Hitter. D”Arnaud consistently has been around 2nd on the team in AB’a and Valle has been around 6th. So they get the AB’s . D’Arnaud catches more and Valle catches from time to time , because that’s the way they evaluate it.

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9. d’Arnaud hasn’t been lucky this year either. I believe he’s hit 31 ‘hard-hit balls’ right at people. A foot either way, the kid could be hitting .260-.270.

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10. Valle has not played in a couple days. I would not be surprised if he (and maybe Collier) are already headed to Williamsport to play every day.

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11. phillee someone already tried that argument about tough luck, no one buys it.

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12. MikeMike,

    He’s young, learning the system, and making adjustments. I’m sure he’ll turn it around eventually.

    Have you seen Travis play? He’s pretty special.

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