2009 Player(s) Preview: The Catchers

by Sam Page on Mar 30, 2009 11:00 AM EDT

Congratulations. You saw it, the last season Brian Schneider's OPS will eclipse .700. Next season, Schneider figures to be even worse with the bat. But, he hit 9 homers in limited playing time and extrapolated over 500 PA he should reach double digits! Not so fast: he hit the fewest percent of flyballs (21.1%) of his career in 2008, but got extremely lucky with a 15% of his FB leaving the yard. For comparison he hit just 4.6% HR/FB in 2007. Was he merely hitting deeper flyballs? Doubtful, but his hittracker graph reveals a tendency to hit balls to the rightfield foul pole, where Citi is especially shallow:

via www.hittrackeronline.com

Still, he's due for a regression in 2009.

By contrast, Ramon Castro got unlucky in 2008. His batting average dropped 40 points, but his linedrive rate actually rose. His BABIP was .275, which I would normally call unlucky, but Castro's career mark is .276. Expect continued, above-average production from Castro in 2009 with a chance for a rebound.

Jerry Manuel used Castro more that Willie Randolph last year, but pledges to give Brian Schneider the majority of the PT in '09. These factors, however, coupled with Manuel's propensity for changing his mind, could mean the catchers effectively split time next year.

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Is Schneider still hurt?

by JoshNY on Mar 30, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

Equal PT for Castro?

I just don’t see it…I can’t see Ramon being durable enough to play 3 times a week….if that’s what you are suggesting.

What are your thoughts on Omir Santos? He’s had a decent spring…and it definitely looks like he will be the one to get called up if one of the regulars is injured.

by metsman07 on Mar 30, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think Santos has the plate-discipline to survive major league pitching.

I hope Cancel gets the call over Santos if needed.

King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president

by Sam Page on Mar 30, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

if only because it'd be hilarious if Castro were the thinner of our two catchers

by JoshNY on Mar 30, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Thinner, but also somehow slower.

Cancel’s got some wheels on that chunky frame.

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Mar 30, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions