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Javy For Backup Catcher?
Written by Colin on March 19, 2008 – 8:30 amAll you ladies out there have certainly been following the backup catcher battle with some interest this year. Hard-hitting catcher and all-around good guy Javy Lopez is trying to make a comeback to win the backup role with an increased focus on his defense this offseason. Standing in his way are Corky Miller and the young Clint Sammons, along with Brayan Pena. But can Javy prove he’s still able to play at the big league level? Has his focus on defense improved him to the point where he’s extra valuable for the Braves?
Here’s the deal – offensively, there’s nobody with more power. Javy is only hitting .200 after a slow start, but he has two home runs and has gotten more playing time than any other catcher save McCann. The other guys are hitting for better average, but they don’t have the power potential Javy has. Mid-season when we need a pinch hitter, I’m sure Bobby would prefer to have someone with a bit of punch – and Javy is that guy. He just has to calm down, not try so hard, and his average will come along too.
Defensively, Javy isn’t there yet. Brayan Pena has caught three runners stealing, Clint Sammons has caught two, and Miller has caught one. Javy hasn’t gunned any runners down. But neither has McCann – proof that the Braves may be more focused on the game calling and batting aspect than protecting the base paths. And Javy has game calling experience that none of the younger guys have.
As far as fan preference, there’s no contest. In our recent fan poll, Javy pulled 75% of the vote, Sammons pulled 16%, Pena pulled 9%, and nobody voted for Corky Miller.
If I had to go with someone today, it’d be Javy. The Braves need the powerful bat off the bench and he’s got it. He’ll continue to work hard to improve offensively and defensively, and he’s the clear fan favorite.
If all goes well, we’ll be able to welcome Javy back to Atlanta soon.
Tags: Brayan Pena, Clint Sammons, Corky Miller, Javy Lopez
Posted in Speculation | 10 Comments »
By Jonathan on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
The fan vote here just proves what I think we all know. All things aside, Javy would be a fan favorite here in Atlanta, whenever making an appearance on the field. When it comes down to it, we don’t really have a standout backup catcher, and we know that McCann will be making most of the appearances, but as a backup, I don’t think we can go wrong with Javy in this case.
By Smitty on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
Am I the only one who doesn’t see Javy back here? I’m neither pro nor against Javy, I just don’t see him out-performing the other cantidates.
All sentimentality aside, Sammons and Pena just seem to be better contenders. Sure, they don’t have anywhere near his offensive experience or power, but so far, he’s not slugging very dependably either. Can’t Thorman be our go-to DH?
It’s hard to seperate the “storyline” from the raw facts, but unless he picks up the pace a bit, I just don’t know that we will see him calling games this year.
Smitty
By JB in ATL on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
The choices are slim at best for this position. Not really a wealth of talent or ability to choose from.
Remember we put Todd Pratt in there recently for a mentorship role to young pitchers (and a little for McCann). He didn’t really produce much more than giving Brian some rest and a bat off the bench so there are intangibles at work that could influence the decision.
I think Javy is the best choice because he’ll have good potential power off the bench and will give some nominal leadership around the clubhouse.
He’s a fan favorite for sure (guys and girls alike just for different reasons) but that’s one of the intangibles that may actually make a difference. Who knows? I mean it’s not like he’ll double our ticket sales but every little bit helps.
http://bravesblog.net
JB in ATL
By baseballbrett13 on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
I would love to see Javy in Atlanta, and I think that he will probably be the backup catcher to begin the year. I was wondering what you think the chance of Bryan Pena getting claimed by other teams is? I would have liked to see the Braves let him play some more first base so that he could compete with Thorman for the job, because I don’t really like the thought of Thorman being on the big squad after his performance last year and so far in spring training.
By Jonathan on Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
That’s a good point about Peña, I hadn’t really thought about that as a possibility too much. At the same time however, I agree with you on Thorman. As we talked about earlier in the preseason, I’m not completely comfortable having Thorman as the next player in line for the starting role should something happen to Teixeira this season or if he should leave next season.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
The fan vote here just proves what I think we all know. All things aside, Javy would be a fan favorite here in Atlanta, whenever making an appearance on the field. When it comes down to it, we don't really have a standout backup catcher, and we know that McCann will be making most of the appearances, but as a backup, I don't think we can go wrong with Javy in this case.
By Smitty on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Am I the only one who doesn't see Javy back here? I'm neither pro nor against Javy, I just don't see him out-performing the other cantidates.
All sentimentality aside, Sammons and Pena just seem to be better contenders. Sure, they don't have anywhere near his offensive experience or power, but so far, he's not slugging very dependably either. Can't Thorman be our go-to DH?
It's hard to seperate the "storyline" from the raw facts, but unless he picks up the pace a bit, I just don't know that we will see him calling games this year.
Smitty
By JB in ATL on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
The choices are slim at best for this position. Not really a wealth of talent or ability to choose from.
Remember we put Todd Pratt in there recently for a mentorship role to young pitchers (and a little for McCann). He didn't really produce much more than giving Brian some rest and a bat off the bench so there are intangibles at work that could influence the decision.
I think Javy is the best choice because he'll have good potential power off the bench and will give some nominal leadership around the clubhouse.
He's a fan favorite for sure (guys and girls alike just for different reasons) but that's one of the intangibles that may actually make a difference. Who knows? I mean it's not like he'll double our ticket sales but every little bit helps.
http://bravesblog.net
JB in ATL
By baseballbrett13 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I would love to see Javy in Atlanta, and I think that he will probably be the backup catcher to begin the year. I was wondering what you think the chance of Bryan Pena getting claimed by other teams is? I would have liked to see the Braves let him play some more first base so that he could compete with Thorman for the job, because I don't really like the thought of Thorman being on the big squad after his performance last year and so far in spring training.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
That's a good point about Peña, I hadn't really thought about that as a possibility too much. At the same time however, I agree with you on Thorman. As we talked about earlier in the preseason, I'm not completely comfortable having Thorman as the next player in line for the starting role should something happen to Teixeira this season or if he should leave next season.