Given that Jorge Posada will be catching A.J. Burnett tonight against Boston, today, Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record offers the following piece titled, “Yankees caught in tough spot with Jorge Posada.” Now, it is a fairly standard “Posada is a poor defender” article – I actually agree that Posada’s age is a cause for defensive concern and have highlighted some game-calling uncertainties just recently, but I think the way Klapisch tackles the concept is sort of overblown – with one note regarding future catcher (hopefully), Jesus Montero, that I found particularly interesting.
According to Klapisch, “The future belongs to Jesus Montero, but he’s currently at Class-AA, at least two years away from the big leagues.” Is it just me or is Klapisch about as wrong as one can get here? Unless I am mistaken, Jesus Montero is slated to start the season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, not Double-A Trenton. Even if an “A” was forgotten – a typo – and Class-AA was supposed to read Class-AAA, to say that Montero is “at least two years away from the big leagues” is seemingly false based on every report we have read. In fact, if Nick Johnson or Jorge Posada suffer an injury this season, Montero’s bat could lead to a premature debut. That’s just how good he is offensively. How Klapisch can be this mistaken is strange. Perhaps he was referring to Austin Romine, rather than Montero.
If there is no mistake here – well all make them – then Klapisch might have some explaining to do.
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2 Responses to Klapisch is lost
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TIQ IQ
i can’t wait to see this kid with the big club
Chris, you and Bob have mentioned something which has been rolling arond in my noggin since Steve had a nifty article Monday: “Jorge’s Bat Giveth, His Glove Taketh Away,” as well as another by Joe P. at RAB, which displayed the sequence in photos of Marte v Ortiz Monday. Tuesday, Posada called the same pitches in the same matchup, and Marte executed this time. No wild forced passed ball just when you don’t need it.
The brainstorm resulted in this idea: Montero should not be expected to be the primary catcher. His instruction should continue, but he should also be prepared for an alternative, maybe left field, if he cottons to it. Thinking of Jorgie as the template (and Victor Martinez seems very similar) catchers adapted to the position (“offensive catchers”) may not have that last touch of grace that lets them excel defensively. And it is too important a position, the key to defense, really.
We appear to have that sort of defensive genius who is also minor league MVP material in Austin Romine. If he hits league-average, but runs a great pitching staff, and throws out basestealers, that’s the best, long-term. Admittedly, I don’t know these guys, but in my theory, Jesus’ special bat could be brought to bear while he serves flexibly as backup/alternative catcher, left fielder, DH.
However best the Yanks could arrange Jesus’ alternative instruction, either at Scranton or another venue, and bring up Austin to Scranton earliest feasible.