Pop Time

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
First off, defense means squat in any sport.

Hope you never run into Bill Belichick. I never heard anything more ridiculous in my time on these boards.

quote:

First off, defense means squat in any sport.

If that's the case why do College & Pro's recruit pitching first & foremost??????

Threebagger, any examples in MLB you can name?

Redsox, must admit a poor choice of words. More like defense takes second place to offense. I was a bit over the top, however much defense is needed, you only seem to hear about so and so scoring x runs/points. I still stand behind concentrating on hitting above all else, hence my screen name.

Pop UP Hitter Dad,

I can name a lot of ML players that can't hit OR field at that level. This is of course recognizing the they are a hundred times better than we are at these skills. Some guys known as great fielders who really are not even good hitters at the ML level include Ronnie Cedeno 2100+ AB's, .286 career OBP,.246 ave.; Jack Wilson, shortstop, .307 career OBP none over .300 since 2008; James Loney 1B with a career .778 OPS, last year 12 HRs 65 RBI typical year for him, terrible hitter for a first baseman; Juan Uribwe, 3B career .298 OBP, .721 OPS in 4600+ AB's; Scott Hairston, .303 OBP, .244 lifetime ave. in 1800+ AB. The list goes on and on...including Brooks Robinson the last five years of his career and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski for almost all of his career.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Redsox, must admit a poor choice of words. More like defense takes second place to offense. I was a bit over the top, however much defense is needed, you only seem to hear about so and so scoring x runs/points. I still stand behind concentrating on hitting above all else, hence my screen name.

LOL, my apologies for my over the top representation of it being the most ridiculous thing I've read here. You've been around much longer here than I and I appreciate many of your posts. Play Ball!

Some good reading in this thread. I feel better knowing that catcher is a star on both sides of the ball.....

Insert sarcasm here......

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
Hold on, folks. He said his kid is 13 and just moving to the big field.

Thank you.

What is important skills for catchers changes as they move up the ladder. FWIW, there are a slew of catchers that are now pitchers at the pro level, one of the reasons being they couldn't hit, or pop time not good enough to stop the running game.

BTW, for anyone interested Cardinals catcher Robert Stock was just converted to pitcher.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
Hold on, folks. He said his kid is 13 and just moving to the big field.

Thank you.

What is important skills for catchers changes as they move up the ladder. FWIW, there are a slew of catchers that are now pitchers at the pro level, one of the reasons being they couldn't hit, or pop time not good enough to stop the running game.

BTW, for anyone interested Cardinals catcher Robert Stock was just converted to pitcher.

It's because they can't hit. Molina was a .200 hitter but threw folks out and his hitting developed to average now.

Jason Motte threw folks out what an arm, couldn't
hit a lick he's now a very good closer.

Stock can't hit now to the mound. Harper now to right field, he could throw but not the defensive player need at catcher, could hit so now they say he's too valuable to put behind the plate.


This illustrates the absurd to some extent and why the MLB has such problem developing catchers.

The big arm big kid, that can't run, is the best catcher candidate, not so much... looking where this kind ends up.