Adam Weisenburger Appreciation

[Mass Haas]

Not often I go out of my way on a particular farmhand's behalf, but the fact that Josmil Pinto, an American League DH/catcher in every sense, is remaining with the organization, and is joining 28-year-old Manny Pina (PTBNL in the K-Rod trade) and 25-year-old (26 in March) Rene Garcia, two catchers with stellar defensive reputations, as big league spring training camp invitees, has me puzzled because of two words:

 

Adam Weisenburger

 

Now certainly, depth is necessary, and Weisenburger's big league camp invite may still be forthcoming (he has received it in past seasons), but Weisenburger, the 2011 34th round pick out of Miami University of Ohio who recently turned 27, has proven his case in five years in the organization to at least be the primary catcher at AAA in 2016.

 

Yes, one needs to look beyond the career batting average to see a very respectable .680 OPS at a sizable 788 AB's at the AA level (based largely on an excellent .351 OBP).

 

Defense? Heck, yes -- the winner of multiple honors in that regard, throwing out 55 of 134 baserunners the past two seasons (a stellar 41%).

 

Plus, who do you think was the primary catcher for 2015 Biloxi Shuckers like Jorge Lopez, Tyler Wagner, etc., so key in aiding in all those developmental increases with members of the future big league staff? It sure wasn't Josmil Pinto.

 

At least Rene Garcia, especially at 26, has some intrigue.

 

Manny Pina needed to be the PTBNL for K-Rod? Sigh...

 

This post was unsolicited (although if Adam leans about it, he'll likely appreciate it), and in the big picture, it's certainly not the most pressing or important issue within the team's rebuild, but c'mon, Brewers, be sure to take note here. We all have respect for, while simultaneously disliking the term "organizational soldier", but Mr. Weisenburger has proven to be more than that.

[JohnBriggs12]

You don't make your mark as a GM by advancing players your predecessor acquired. I believe Pina in particular is seen as a guy who could push Maldanado who might find himself elsewhere.

 

I remember when Carlos Corporan was similarly viewed as simply an organizational soldier. He eventually found fairly steady work for a few years as a major league backup but it took him leaving the Brewer organization where he was pretty much pigeon-holed.

[Outlander]

Unfortunately for Weisenburger it just might be a case of liking your own guys. Rene Garcia was in the Astros organization for a number of years, is slightly younger and will probably give you approximately what Weisenburger can on the offensive and defensive side of things. Weisenburger has always had the ability to get on base but doesn't hit for much, do give him credit for improving his caught stealing percentage the last couple of years and catching for a number of prospect at AA. Pina isn't a long term guy but will be good to have if Lucroy is traded. Pinto is probably too old to improve his defensive abilities much but if by some miracle he can improve then his offense would make him the best of the bunch.

[And That]

Weisenburger is on the latest list of NRIs for Brewers camp.

[Mass Haas]

Weisenburger is on the latest list of NRIs for Brewers camp.

 

I would like to believe the post above somehow contributed to that decision.

 

It didn't, but maybe, just maybe?

[jerichoholicninja]

Weisenburger is on the latest list of NRIs for Brewers camp.

 

I would like to believe the post above somehow contributed to that decision.

 

It didn't, but maybe, just maybe?

 

Every team invites basically every catcher in their organization because they need someone to catch all those pitchers the first 3 days.