Shawn Zarraga - Development & Potential

[JohnBriggs12]

McCalvy had some interesting things to report on the red hot Shawn Zarraga. He quoted Ash as saying the Brewers always liked his bat, but that his defense was sub par. Ash told him to get in better shape and he lost 20-25 pounds in the offseason and that's helped him defensively and that's what he needed to be considered a prospect. Obviously it hasn't hurt his bat either.

 

All of a sudden the Brewers' catching situation is a strength of the organization. Zarraga and Weisenberger combined have drawn 22 walks, and fanned just 14 times.

 

I wonder if Zarraga could make the move to 3B? His bat is going to play somewhere eventually.

[monty57]

He's 25 in AA, so his clock is ticking. He's knocking the cover off the ball right now, but Maldonado hits arby next year and Lucroy's under contract (incl option) through 2017. We could sure use another catcher on the 40-man in case of injury or if Maldonado punches someone else, but barring injury it's going to be hard for Zarraga to find PT as a Brewer.

 

Robinson Diaz is the main guy in AAA, and he's 31. If the Brewers do think Zarraga has a future, I would hope they would move him to Nashville soon, to see how he cuts it there, but they probably like the "vet" there to work with the pitching staff. I hope it doesn't happen, but if one of the MLB guys goes to the DL, it would be interesting to see if they'd go with Diaz or Zarraga.

 

I guess if Maldonado keeps hitting the way he is, another GM could see him as a starter and make an offer Melvin can't refuse, opening a spot for a backup. Either way, it is good to see Brewer prospects putting up good numbers, and having some "injury insurance" is not a bad thing.

[Mass Haas]

Here's the McCalvy article link referenced above.

[WV Brew]

He doesn't have much power though. Only 12 career home runs and 13 in his high for 2Bs in a season.

[pacopete4]

This guys screams backup MLB catcher. Hits from both sides, decent defensively enough where he won't hurt you. Could be a nice piece for a team to have whether that's us or not, time will tell.

[Outlander]

I have my doubts, last I checked his slugging was less than his on base. Could be a decent backup option if his defense isn't a liability.

[pogokat]

hindsight is 20/20, but when this guy was drafted, his raw power was his calling card---weird how its turned out. It never hurts to have a decent third catcher in the organization.

[TooLiveBrew]

This guys screams backup MLB catcher. Hits from both sides, decent defensively enough where he won't hurt you. Could be a nice piece for a team to have whether that's us or not, time will tell.

I have my doubts, last I checked his slugging was less than his on base. Could be a decent backup option if his defense isn't a liability.

 

Makes me think Gregg Zaun-lite

[TheCrew07]

Well there had to be reason the Brewers weren't advancing him even though he's been hitting for a long time and he hasn't played more than 74 games in any single season thus far. Of course some of that lost playing time can be attributed to injuries, but not all. Odd that it took until after his 6th season for him to get motivated, I would like to know what's been said to him along the way...

[igor67]

People are weird when it comes to motivation. I'll take a solid defensive catcher with OBP skills as a cheap back-up anyday.

[DHonks]

Zarraga was great in his debut, but then seemed to lose some luster. We know that he's only been switch hitting for about 2 full seasons, so that has affected his power. He's intriguing and it's interesting to hear he wasn't dedicated until this year

[JohnBriggs12]

Zarraga hit .714 his senior year in high school. That's hard to do in slow pitch softball. In today's game power is more valued but guys that hit and get on base at high rates still are intriguing. Not many 44th rounders from 2007 are still playing.

[igor67]

If the average is high enough, everything else becomes gravy.

[Outlander]

I am all for a backup catcher that had a decent average and on base. Just fear that in the majors those singles turn to easy outs with the better defense and defensive shifts.

[igor67]

Well originally I was just going to say I was only half serious because Zarraga clearly isn't going to continue to hit .400. Ultimately though those are the sorts of adjustments everyone has to make AAA to the majors and are the factors well considered by MLE, since his game is not unusually dependent on a flukey performance in any area, he hits for enough average and with little, but enough power to keep pitchers honest, so the OBP should still be there in the majors.

 

Now the more interesting things I learned while going back and reviewing his stats. He only started switch hitting a few years ago, and since his first year of switch hitting he has tended to hit RHB better than lefties (which is kind of crazy given he is a natural righty). Even more crazy his draft mate Gindl has almost 3 times the minor league plate appearances! I think he's had a couple of injuries over the years, but mostly he has been relegated to bench duty. Which on the positive side means he knows how to deal with it.

[DHonks]

Remember, most lefty batters in MLB are natural righties. I think you mean because he started switch hitting so recently

[LouisEly]

I'll take 5:1 odds for $1 that Zarraga gets added to the 40-man and called up in September. A 3rd-string catcher who is a switch hitter with great OBP and a 30:11 BB-to-K ratio? Talk about a great PH option in addition to being able to free up Lucroy/Maldy to be pinch run for late in a game/in extra innings. Quite a bench asset for a team contending for the playoffs.

[3and2Fastball]

Shawn Zarraga is hitting .392 in AA ball with an OBP near .500 and has Doubles power with 15 Doubles in 57 games. A switch-hitting catcher who is throwing out over 40% of runners. Is there a chance this 25 year old has turned the corner and elevated into a top prospect?

 

I'm always intrigued with players like Zarraga. Drafted in the 44th round and now hitting .392 in AA ball?! He hit .300 in Rookie Ball but then struggled the next season, but has been a good solid hitter other years....

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=zarrag001sha

[Never Outhustled]

Zarraga is moving up to AAA, great news. While he's been outstanding throwing out base runners, I hope he also gets some time at 1B. He's played about a dozen games there in his career, but might be able to help the Crew there late in the season. Most importantly he just needs to keep hitting. That 32/12 BB/K ratio looks unreal so far.

[homer]

This guys screams backup MLB catcher. Hits from both sides, decent defensively enough where he won't hurt you. Could be a nice piece for a team to have whether that's us or not, time will tell.

I have my doubts, last I checked his slugging was less than his on base. Could be a decent backup option if his defense isn't a liability.

 

Makes me think Gregg Zaun-lite

 

Kneel before Zaun!

 

(sorry, had to)

[Ando Calrissian]

I know we've got organizational need at 1B, anyone think he's defensively able at 3B?

 

On the heels on Tony Gwynn's death, I'll admit I've caught myself looking at Zarraga's stat line getting pretty deep into some future production day dreaming.

[Mass Haas]

Voice of the Stars Steve Jarnicki points out that Zarraga threw out 47% of would be base stealers from behind the plate and had a catchers' era of 3.64 this season.

[3and2Fastball]

Zarraga has now played 3 games with Nashville in AAA ball, going 4 for 12 with a Double

[igor67]

I'd like to see him get a little more playing time then he has gotten so far, on the other hand he has certainly shown an ability to hit off the bench which could definitely be an asset.

[3and2Fastball]

*** small sample alert ***

 

Now hitting .400 in his first 15 at-bats in AAA ball

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=zarrag001sha