Comments on: Ross Not Coming To Phillies

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:25:28 +0000

Piazza is 6’3″ and only 215 lb now but in his heyday he went around 225 lb.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:22:08 +0000

Was Piazza around that size?

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:13:43 +0000

It seems that the good hitting catchers are in the 6’3″ to 6’5″ 230lb range as evidenced by McCann and Mauer. Could it be their superior physical size takes the everyday pounding a little better than the smaller guys allowing them to produce better with the stick?

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 20:01:13 +0000

I went to Reading the night that Myers pitched up there.. posted that he looked great (am I smart, or what?? ) … Marson, Golson, Donald, and Carrasco all weren’t playing because they had left for the All-Star Futures Game.

BUT considering that Marson was the #2 catching prospect going into this season, behind Jaramillo.. i’ve been skeptical of his STAR status all season… I’d LOVE nothing more than for us to have an awesome player coming up, I’m just not counting on him for anything yet.. same with Carrasco.. give him some time and you’ll be happy with the results, but we can’t expect great things right away

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:56:48 +0000

Has anyone here actually seen Marson play other than possibly a few times? All this talk about future HOFer Marson is just talk. Where does this love affair with Marson come from? Ruiz is at least an average major league catcher possibly even a bit above average considering his defense and handling of pitchers. Shouldn’t we be looking at other areas of this team for improvement?

By: NJ

NJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:35:29 +0000

Their not trash by any means, the catcher position is so demanding you cannot treat offensive production from the position like any other. Firstly these guys get knicked up in ways not even a pitcher can related to as they get shelved while the catcher keeps on playing, defensively their constantly focused on calling a game while their body is constantly under pressure and they have virtually no time to prepare for their next at bat mentally and make those adjustments. To be able to bat at all with your body under so much stress during a game is achievement enough for most.

Add to that that outside of a game while the other position guys are getting in extra hitting practise and watching film on hitting, the catcher is working with the pitchers and watching film to help him call the game giving him only very limited time to prepare as a hitter. Consider all those hitting pitchers who’ve really struggled to cement themselves as every day catchers and Ruiz doesn’t seem like worst guy to be holding a bat in the league, even a guy like Matthis has struggled because he couldn’t put it together as an all-around catcher.

If you haven’t read Coste’s autobiography do so, just making it to the majors for a cup of coffee as a cather in regular sesaon play is an incredible achievement.

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:55:35 +0000

Mickey Morandini, had to bring him up since Brogna was mentioned.

By: Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:50:05 +0000

i guess theres just really like only 5 tgood hitting catchers. a lot, LOT of trash

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:45:55 +0000

MRuiz, Mjaramillo,

By: NJ

NJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:43:08 +0000

Nice thinking but it’s not going to happen, we to in theory have depth in talent at the catcher position but it’s the single hardest position to predict which is why systems tend to be so deep at the position.

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:41:52 +0000

Lieby had a career .991 FP%, and .274 batting average.. not too shabby…

I always liked him.. I also liked RRRrrrrrriiiicccooo Brrrroooogggnnaaaa cuase he was nasty at scooping and making picks at 1st..

By: Richie

Richie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:41:23 +0000

notice how all of the good catchers out there today have a lasty name beginning with the letter “M” Mauer, Mcann, Martin, Martinez, all 3 Molinas. Maybe we need Marson is the guy. He has the “m” thing going for him.

By: Richie

Richie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:38:18 +0000

Texas has four solid catchers in their system and the one they project as their future, has not even been seen yet… they are Saltalamacchia, Laird, Max Ramirez, and this guy Teagarden who they think is their ace. I am sure we can pry one away from them.

By: NJ

NJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:35:27 +0000

There aren’t even a dozen genuine hitting catchers. Outside of McCann, Mauer and Martin your really dropping down a level to light hitting catchers who can contribute like the Molina’s or hitters trying to catch like Salty and Doumit.

The thing that really shows up with Marson is his ability to get on base, his willingness to walk and ability to hit shows maturity that should also show up behind the plate, don’t think he’ll be as good as McCann but if we can get a player that’s anywhere near what Lieberthal was then we should be very happy. I know Lieberthal gets trashed endlessly by some Phils fans but to have that amount of stability behind the plate for that long a period of time is incredible.

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:29:20 +0000

I think batting averages are.. I don’t think fielding percentage is deceptive.. and from your catcher, thats what you are looking for.

its rare to have the solid defensive catcher, that can hit too.. there aren’t a lot of them floating around

By: NJ

NJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:26:46 +0000

Career averages as as deceptive with the catcher position more than any other, the Rangers feel Laird’s at a point in his career where they think they can tap into some offense and I don’t think they like Salty behind the plate.

We’re not trading for a catcher period unless something really wierd happens, Marson’s clearly the catcher of the future and a path needs to be made to maximise his talent.

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:16:48 +0000

Laird career Batting Avg = .254, Fielding % = .984

Ruiz career Batting Avg = .245, Fielding % = .993

no point in trading for a Catcher unless the dude is HANDS-DOWN better than Ruiz..

Pudge career fielding % in .991
Mike Matheny Fielding % .994
Charles Johnson = .993
Bengie Molina = .994

By: Geoff

Geoff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:10:49 +0000

thats optimistic don…but practically, we have no idea…i think hell be good. but we dont know. hes not automatic

By: NJ

NJ — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:09:17 +0000

Although this could very well be mis-information to drive up Laird’s value, the buzz coming out of Texas has them maing Salty the available catcher but it won’t be us in the mix for a deal.

Marson will be given a window and we have to address the best possible way to bridge to him and give him the right mentoring to become an elite major league catcher, the Ruiz situation will need to be addressed and is he going to be the defensive specialist back-up or are we Marlon Byrding him?

By: Don M

Don M — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 18:05:37 +0000

Geoff, im 95% sure that you said you were “pretty sure he will be an All-Star” like 3 hours ago