A catcher that can throw that we're familiar with

[JohnBriggs12]

It is becoming increasingly clear that although he's has some nice skills offensively, Kottaras is a defensive liability in that runners are stealing at will with him behind the plate. Lucroy has thrown out a decent percentage in the minors, but still could use a little work and isn't going to progress playing 1 or 2 times a week and it's obvious that Macha hasn't the confidence to play him more.

 

Catching is such a hard position to fill that the same names of bad players keep resurfacing with major league jobs. Guys like Corky Miller, Chad Moeller etc, keep finding jobs.

 

I'll throw a name out there of a guy who was Brewer property for 7 seasons, and was known more for his defense than his bat, but who's currently having a fine offensive season at AAA (.285/.318/.528) and was just named the Pacific Coast League player of the week.

 

That's none other than Mr. 1,000 himself, Carlos Corporan. While Corporan's never been known for a potent bat, throughout his career, he's improved significantly each time he's repeated a level: low A: first year: .560 OPS, 2nd year: .680; high A: first year .672, 2nd year .975; AA: first year: .577, 2nd year: .777. In AAA, he slipped in his 2nd year but has rebounded now in his 3rd season at that level.

 

He's still just 26.

 

I can't imagine it would take much to get him back.

[sbrylski]

Lucroy has better CS rates in the minors than Corporan. I don't think this move would make any sense.

 

Corporan

 

Lucroy

[dadofandrew]

As SD has proven in years past, a low CS% does not seem to hurt much. Besides, much of the problem can be directly traced to the pitchers.

[HiAndTight]

Yeah, I'm more concerned about Kottaras and his absolutely atrocious ability to block balls whatsoever.

 

He looks as bad doing that as any catcher we've had in some time here.

[pingman]

+1

 

....and Kottaras shows NO leadership

 

....the catcher, as the captain of the infield, needs to yell which base to make the throw to.... a recent game still grates at me when McGhee fielded a bunt and with his back to base wheels & throws to 2B and everyone is safe: Kottaras MUST direct McGhee on that play to get the sure out at 1B

 

....and I agree he's horrible at blocking balls in the dirt

[HiAndTight]

+1

 

....and Kottaras shows NO leadership

 

....the catcher, as the captain of the infield, needs to yell which base to make the throw to.... a recent game still grates at me when McGhee fielded a bunt and with his back to base wheels & throws to 2B and everyone is safe: Kottaras MUST direct McGhee on that play to get the sure out at 1B

 

....and I agree he's horrible at blocking balls in the dirt

I agree completely that a catcher needs to be a leader and do the things you talk about. I can't possibly make an informed judgment about how much of that he shows and he doesn't however. What you're describing would definitely fall at the feet of the catcher, and I agree that it is his responsibility, but you're talking about one play of thousands in a season, and you're trying to quantify leadership from a fans perspective, a trait that takes place by in large out of our purview of fans.

 

I said in another thread that catcher's the one position, the one in baseball where I can see a good case being made for bringing up a good prospect and NOT playing him everyday as there is so much more learning and development needed at catcher to understand the game, handle a pitching staff, and, like you said, being a leader on the field.

 

I really like Kottaras offensively, and he's young enough for a catcher that I see him as a nice part of our future as a cheap backup for a while, but Lucroy has just been so much better than him.

 

For a guy who struggles defensively according to reports, I think he's looked great. Still not there blocking the balls, but he looks good. Takes a lot of the sting out of Salome's unfortunate issues.

 

Injuries aside, I think we've got our starter and our backup for the foreseeable future.