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A friend has a HS kid that is a very good HS hitter and is trying to get him recruited as a catcher. I watched him in I/O and thought he looked decent. Ok arm and received the ball well. Then I saw him not even attempt to block balls with no runners on. Just picking them. So then as the game went on, several more pick attempts and runners were taking free bases. The dad doesn't seem to think his lack of blocking desire and ability will have an impact since he is such a good hitter.

Is the dad right? I can definitely see the kid getting some looks because of the bat, but I've never seen even a HS catcher not at least trying to block balls.

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@fenwaysouth posted:

Never mind college, he'd never squat behind a high school home plate around here if he couldn't block a ball with runners on.  Catching is (arguably) the most important position on a baseball field.

Possibly he could be a college catching project (or any fielding position)  if his bat is truly elite.

JMO

All true.  The problem with that approach is that if you're a C (or whatever) you probably only have to beat out one or two other guys to get in the lineup. If you're a DH, you have to beat out every non-starter on the team.

Maybe I'm inferring too much from the OP, but the question is - why is dad pushing this? Over the years I've seen parents find many ways to sabotage their son's baseball prospects, and insisting that they be a catcher or an infielder is definitely one of the most damaging -- and stupidest -- ones.

@JCG posted:

All true.  The problem with that approach is that if you're a C (or whatever) you probably only have to beat out one or two other guys to get in the lineup. If you're a DH, you have to beat out every non-starter on the team.

Maybe I'm inferring too much from the OP, but the question is - why is dad pushing this? Over the years I've seen parents find many ways to sabotage their son's baseball prospects, and insisting that they be a catcher or an infielder is definitely one of the most damaging -- and stupidest -- ones.

No clue why he’s pushing C. Kid has corner IF written all over him. One of the issues I also see is I don’t even think you can teach him to block, at least not at this age. He turns his head when he tries to pick.

@JCG posted:

All true.  The problem with that approach is that if you're a C (or whatever) you probably only have to beat out one or two other guys to get in the lineup. If you're a DH, you have to beat out every non-starter on the team.

Maybe I'm inferring too much from the OP, but the question is - why is dad pushing this? Over the years I've seen parents find many ways to sabotage their son's baseball prospects, and insisting that they be a catcher or an infielder is definitely one of the most damaging -- and stupidest -- ones.

Dad is pushing this because he doesn't know any better and he lacks objectivity.   Hopefully, Mom or an Uncle/Aunt knows something about baseball and can help Dad see the light.....

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Doesnt matter what dad thinks, its up to a coach who may be considering him. There is a ton of work that goes into working and developing college catchers.  And in some programs you have guys playing one position, or DH but can also catch if needed. You also have a lot of guys that are recruited as catchers but realize when they get there someone is in front of them and they dont want to wait, instead of realizing that they may have a better opportunity at another position.

I am a big believer in worrying about our own players and let someone else worry about theirs.

Last edited by TPM

I can tell you this... the higher level he goes the more difficult it is to block.  Better pitchers have more velocity, movement and spin.  It's brutal and difficult for a really good HS catcher to adjust to effectively blocking good college pitchers.   And by effectively, I mean not only blocking the ball but maintaining control and keeping the runners in check.  This takes a lot of work to get to this level.  With that kid's attitude, he has no chance.

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