Report Card–Catchers

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A look at catching throughout the organization.  Problems up top and some excitement down below. 

Lehigh Valley

Koyie Hill, 35, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .227/.333/.352 in 176 AB’s; 3HR 17RBI; 14%bb/22%k rates; .125 vs. LHP; .266 vs. RHP; .231 last month; .275 with RISP; 46 games at C with 2 errors (.993); 3 passed balls; 38%CS rate; (13/34). Grade: C+; 2015: Most likely another organization or retired; Hill gave the ‘Pigs exactly what was anticipated with a bit of offense through an excellent walk rate, very solid defense and organizational depth at catcher which was needed in the bigs for an extended period with Ruiz and Nieves both out.

Cameron Rupp, Soon to be 26, Phils 3rd round pick in 2010; .165/.256/.299 in 194 AB’s with Lehigh Valley; 6HR 19RBI; 10%bb/36%k rate; .218 vs. LHP; .144 vs. RHP; .160 with RISP; .194 over last month; 56 games caught with 3 errors (.992); 4passed balls; 29%CS rate (14/48); Grade: D-; 2015: Lehigh Valley.  Rupp has just an awful year with the bat, during a season in which I expected him to step up and find himself knocking on the door for the backup catcher position in 2015.  AFter an early season trip to the DL, Rupp was never the same, albeit still doing a decent job defensively. With one option remaining, next years production will make the difference between whether Rupp is the 2016 Phils backup or likely in another organization by them.

Lars Davis, 28, Signed as a free agent in 2014; .188/.268/.267 in 101 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 1HR 11RBI; 8%bb/16% k rates; 31 games caught with 5 errors (.979); 4 passed balls; 12%CS rate (6/50). Grade: D-; 2015: Not in the Phils organization; Davis was brought in as a mid-season free agent signee for depth after a series of injuries at catcher through the organization.  He did not perform well either at the plate or behind the plate.

Sebastian Valle, 24, SIgned as a free agent in 2006; .238/.262/.346 in 240 AB’s between Reading and Lehigh Valley; 5 HR 32RBI; 4%bb/21%k rates; .136 over last month; 65 games at C with 4 errors (.992); 8 passed balls; 27%CS rate (32/120); Grade: C+ 2015: Another organization; After just a miserable 2013, Valle performed better this year.  He was decent behind the plate and provided offensive punch at times.  That said, it was clear throughout the year that Valle is no longer highly regarded in the organization based upon who was receiving playing time when and where.  I fear Valle will be a late bloomer as he does have talent.  As a minor league free agent at just 24, Valle will go where he has the best chance to get regular AB’s most likely in AAA.  That will likely not be in the Phils organization. 

Reading

RayWily Gomez, 24, Acquired via trade in 2014; .211/.352/.310 in 71 AB’s for Reading; 1HR 5RBI; 5%bb/7%k rates; 21 games caught with 4 errors (.973); 1 passed ball; 18%CS Rate;Simply mediocre all around; Grade: C-; 2015: If he is back, he will be floating around the organization as a back up.

Logan Moore, 24, Phils 9th round pick in 2011; .227/.293/.339 in 295 AB’s between Clearwater and Reading; 4HR 28RBI; 8%bb/22%k rates; .268 over last month; .267 with RISP; 91 games caught with 5 errors (.992); 6 passed balls; 29%CS rate(37/128).  Grade: C+; 2015: Reading; Moore probably landed in Reading a bit earlier than the Phils wanted because of all the injuries to catchers, but he performed well behind the plate and was probably slightly less overmatched hitting than expected.  Still, needs alot of work with the bat but a potential major league backup because of his skills defensively.  He is Rule 5 eligible this year, but I wouldn’t expect him to be added to the 40 man or taken.

Tommy Joseph, 23, Acquired from San Francisco in 2012; .282/.345/.551 in 78 AB’s with Reading; 5HR 19RBI; 6%bb/16%k rates; 21 games caught with 1 error (.995); 0 passed balls; 13%CS rate (5/40); Grade: Incomplete; 2015: Reading; Joseph missed the last 3 and a half months of the year injured, making it significant parts of the last two seasons that have been lost to injury.  During the first month, he was showing promise but now with such significant time lost due to concussion and wrist injuries, the future is certainly a large question mark.

Clearwater

Corey Bass, 23, Phils 20th round pick in 2013; .202/.265/.300 in 94 AB’s; 2HR 10RBI; 8%bb/22%k rates; .087 vs. LHP; .239 vs. RHP; .212 over last month; 32 games caught with 4 errors (.983); 4 passed balls; 18% CS rate (4/22); Grade: D+ 2015: Out of the organization.  I wasnt expecting much from Bass and he didn’t disappoint.  Pedestrian numbers at best.  With the talent behind him, likely no room next year.

Gabrial Lino, 21, Acquired from Baltimore in 2012; .215/.284/.309 in 288 AB’s; 5HR 34RBI; 9%bb/29%k rates; .243 vs. LHP; .213 vs. RHP; .148 over last month; 86 games caught with 9 errors (.986); 15 passed balls; 38% CS rate (37/98); Grade: C-; 2015: Clearwater; Lino looks the part, but too often doesn’t play the part.  You see him and you think “baseball player”.  That said, he struggled with the bat and behind the plate this year with his caught stealing rate the only thing keeping him from a significantly worse grade. He threw runners out consistently.

Lakewood

Andrew Knapp, 22, Phils 2nd round pick in 2013; .260/.324/.385 in 366 AB’s between Lakewood and Clearwater; 6HR 32RBI; 4/7 SB; 8%bb/23%k rates; .296 over last month; 42 games caught with 5 errors (.983); 9 passed balls; 19% CS rate (12/63); Grade: B-; 2015: CLearwater, starting C; Coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2013, Knapp was a real question mark coming into this year, and took himself out of the question mark category for next year.  He is re-acclimating himself behind the plate and came on significantly with the bat as the year went along.

Jose Mayorga, 22, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .277/.378/.298 in 94 AB’s; 0HR 8RBI; 12%BB/12%k rates; 38 games caught with 1 error (.996); 5 passed balls; 31% CS rate(15/49); Mayorga’s numbers were very good both offensively and defensively as a backup in Lakewood.  Grade: B; 2015: Admittedly, no clue.  I have never seen Mayorga play and his numbers are better than many of those around him. 

Chace Numata, 22, Phils 14th round pick in 2010; Grade: Inc; 2015: Hard to say where Numata will wind up after missing close to the entire seasons other than a few rehab games injured.

Williamsport

Wilson Garcia, 20, Signed as a free agent in 2010; .220/.272/.283 in 127 AB’s; 0HR 9RBI; 5%bb/5%k rates; .296 vs. LHP; .200 vs. RHP; .237 over last month; .152 with RISP; 14 games caught with 3 errors (.972); 1 passed ball; 37% CS rate (7/19); Grade: C+; 2015: Back in WIlliamsport as a starter.  FOr his first time in the States, Garcia adjusted well.

Deivi Gruillon, 18, SIgned as a free agent in 2012; .227/.267/.297 in 273 AB’s between Lakewood and WIlliamsport; 0HR 18RBI; 3SB; 4%bb/19%k rates; .184 vs. LHP; .235 vs. RHP; .212 with RISP; 79 games caught with 12 errors (.979); 17 passed balls; 28%CS rate (27/98); Grade: C+;  2015: Lakewood starter; As an 18 year old, Gruillon showed that he is a true talent, that needs a good deal of polishing.  Defensively, he needs to become more fundamentally sound which will come with instruction. 

Sean McHugh, 22, Phils 14th round pick in 2014; .190/.286/.214 in 42 AB’s; 0HR 4RBI; 12 games caught without an error; 4 passed balls; 38%CS rate (11/29); Grade: Inc. DIdnt play enough for a grade.  2015: Backup in WIlliamsport or Lakewood.   Pretty obvious McHugh can play defense if nothing else.

GCL

Joel Fisher, 21, Phils 23rd round pick in 2014; .273/.304/.409 in 66 AB’s; 1HR 5RBI’s; 3%bb/21%k rates; 29 games caught with 1 error (.994); 3 passed balls; 31%CS (9/29); Grade: B; 2015: Move up to Lakewood or WIlliamsport as a backup.  Fisher, a Michigan State product did a good job at a low level, against predomiantely younger players.

Jesus Posso, 19, SIgned as a free agent in 2012; .245/.310/.373 in 102 AB’s between CLearwater and GCL; 2HR 24RBI; 8%bb/15%k rates; 26 games caught without an error; 3 passed balls; 31%CS rate (10/31); Grade: B; 2015: Lakewood.  Good possibility that Posso sees alot more time after a very successful 2014.  He produced alot of runs with limited AB’s and was solid behind the plate.

Gregori Rivero, 18, Signed as a free agent in 2012; .217/.246/.300 in 60 AB’s; 1HR 11RBI; 3%bb/15%k rates; 23 games caught with 2 errors (.982); 2 passed balls; 37% CS rate (13/35).  Grade: B; 2015: GCL/Williamsport.  Good year for Rivero who has time to develop

Scott Tomassetti, 21, Phils 34th round pick in 2104; Hit .143 in 7 AB’s.  I would be surprised to see him back.

 

 

19 thoughts on “Report Card–Catchers”

  3. I had mentioned it on another post but Lars Davis for now has ended his baseball career to coach at the University of Florida.

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  4. The organization did a great job drafting and in their selection of talent out of the United States. Mayorga was excellent. Valle did what the organization wanted in dedicating himself to catching. He is a good catcher now. His timely hitting helped both Reading and LHV (and Mexico in the Caribbean Series). It is frustrating that he can’t break the bubble separating him from a major league tryout. He can’t be worse than Rupp was this year. I doubt if Tommy Joseph will play much because of his injury prone body. That is very unfortunate for him and the Phillies. Posso looks really good also. Astudillo should play the outfield and catch. He could have a major league career like Doumit Joel Fisher played very well in GCL. He should have, but he had no option not to.

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  6. The DSL has no catchers that I can see moving to the states. In the VSL, they have two 18 year old catchers. Adrian Acosta (.239/.271/.308 with a 34.7% CS rate) had his best month in July. He was better as a 17 year old overall. It appears he can handle the leather but not so good with the wood. Rafael Gamboa was .241/.326/.325 with an 18% CS rate. A little better with the bat, mostly by getting on base more, but not as exciting behind the plate. Gamboa has 9 BBs in 34 games this year whereas Acosta has 10 in 94 games over 2 years. I could see Acosta being brought to the states but I don’t think he’ll be here long.

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  7. i see the problems up top part, but for the life of me i can’t squint hard enough to see any excitement down below.

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  8. I wonder about Knapp and his K% in Lakewood, and how he struggled so badly in Clearwater. Being a catcher lowers the bar offensively, but he’s also sort of a bat-first guy and he’s 22.

    Rupp had such a tough year that I’d probably give him an F. Hopefully he gets back on track next year and looks like a major league backup again. It’s easy to forget that Valle is even still in the system. He’s still fairly young but just seems to have no future with the team. And Lino is another guy I sometimes forgot about and barely paid attention to in box scores. At least there seems to be some promise in short-season ball.

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    1. Yes, Rupp is close to an F. Is there an unannounced injury problem? It is really hard to understand his complete collapse this season.

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      1. Seriously, how can a 25-year old repeat AAA/some time in majors and lose 200 OPS points year-over-year at both levels? It’s like he suddenly forgot how to hit.

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        1. I’m giving Rupp a pass. He started like a house-a-fire. I think he had 3 HRs in his first 4 games. Then he got hurt. He played 9 games in April and 13 in May. When he got back, he was called up to the majors to replace Ruiz and Nieves. I’m sure he didn’t have his stroke back. He finally played regularly in August but couldn’t quite get it back. His lack of power in July and August appear to be from a lingering injury. If you look at the stats in a vacuum, it’s definitely an ‘F’ but he needs to get healthy and then we’ll see. I think he still projects as a ML backup.

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  9. It would be nice if one of these guys would emerge as a replacement for Ruiz. Joseph may be a guy who could do that if he can stay healthy next season. Knapp is another possibility after another year or two in the minors. There are some younger guys to watch as well, but they are a little ways away. Unfortunately, catching is not the only position that we are thin on prospect wise in the upper levels of the system. If Rupp could hit on a somewhat consistent basis I would really like him as a back up.

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  10. I think that they’ll probably need to look for an out of the organization transitional player at catcher. Not now (unless Ruiz is traded, unlikely but possible), but probably before the next prospect from within the organization is ready. And that guy is most likely Gruillon – well, most likely among current prospects. But he’s what – 3 or 4 years away?

    Knapp is the wild card – there’s a chance he could be ready in 2017, and Ruiz could last through 2016. I don’t see Joseph or Rupp as viable even as transitional solutions.

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  11. Joseph and Rupp were supposed to be major league ready by now and neither is. Hopefully Grullon is our future but he has a long way to go. Knapp bounced back nicely in LWood so let’s hope he hits in CWater next year and improves his defense as well.

    At least one of Hewitt, Collier, James, or Castro was expected to be major league ready by now and none are (or probably ever will be). Dom of course as well as Biddle and Morgan. Galvis and Cesar Hernandez are clearly only bench guys. Asche has been barely okay. Thank goodness for Giles! Diekman and DeFratus have been okay too. So tough to get excited… MAG will probably be the only rookie to make the team next year. I expect Franco to start in LHV and earn his way up in June.

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