Catching prospects

[babaganoosh]

I know we've heard a lot about these kids Thigpen and Diaz, but is anybody else kind of worried like me that a lot of these prospects seem to fall flat on their face? I'm not trying to be mean, but just look at some of our previous "future #1 catchers".

Kevin Cash always had the arm, couldn't really bat, but they said he would come along and be our future #1 catcher. What happens? Well he's gone now and is still playing back-up.

Guillermo Quiroz was said to boast a pretty good bat and he was decent defensively. After Cash fell off a bit, he was expected to be our future #1 catcher. What happens? Well he's gone now and has bounced around with 5 teams in 5 years.

Now, we have Curtis Thigpen. Before much about Diaz came up, he was our future #1 catcher with a good bat. I'm not going to condemn him from only about 100 at bats last season, but his bat was less than impressive.

As much as I've heard about these kids, I have to say I'm still holding some doubt on my end and want to get your thoughts on what seems to have happened to our bright future behind the plate.

[NY16CATCHER]

You need not have the fear with Diaz that you do with Thigpen. Diaz will be in Toronto shortly and I am certain once he gets there, he won't be going back to the minors. More than adequate defensively (actually far better than Thigpen and better than either of the guys in Toronto at present in my mind) and absolutely hitting the snot out of the ball at AAA again this season (so far). He's going to force the Jays to make a move.

[Chris from NY]

I personally see a change in position in Thigpen's future if he is to stay with the Jays. Diaz sounds like the real deal and I can't wait to see him in Toronto.

[Big_Mac]

like you say, sometimes catching prospects can become busts so the fact we have two solid backstopping prospects is nice. but if both pan out, and lets hope, i agree with chris. thigpen looks like he is athletic enough to play somewhere else on the diamond.

[babaganoosh]

Sorry for bumping...just wanted to bring this back up given the new changes. So now that Thigpen and Diaz didn't work out either, we have our new crop of future catchers coming up (Arencibia, Jeroloman, and the newly acquired D'Arnaud). What are your thoughts on the new wave?

[Woodman19]

Sorry for bumping...just wanted to bring this back up given the new changes. So now that Thigpen and Diaz didn't work out either, we have our new crop of future catchers coming up (Arencibia, Jeroloman, and the newly acquired D'Arnaud). What are your thoughts on the new wave?

I think Arencibia has fallen off to a long shot prospect, Jeroloman is basically gone and D'Arnaud is our best prospect and the only one who has been improving to date.

I think the best we can look forward to this year is having D'Arnaud continue his development and reach AA this season and have Arencibia show some patience and maybe re-establish himself as a candidate for catching depth moving forward.

[Greg Maddux's Biggest Fan]

I think Arencibia has fallen off to a long shot prospect, Jeroloman is basically gone and D'Arnaud is our best prospect and the only one who has been improving to date.

I think the best we can look forward to this year is having D'Arnaud continue his development and reach AA this season and have Arencibia show some patience and maybe re-establish himself as a candidate for catching depth moving forward.

I agree, Arencibia has a lot to prove this year. He simply won't be a consistently productive hitter if he keeps on hacking away like he does. I don't know how good defensively he is, but his upside looks to be that of a Charles Johnson-type guy with the stick: a pure hacker / little speed / decent XB & HR power. Of course, Barajas is good defensively so all bets are off with Arencibia even making the Major Leagues if he doesn't stand out behind the dish.

[Woodman19]

I agree, Arencibia has a lot to prove this year. He simply won't be a consistently productive hitter if he keeps on hacking away like he does. I don't know how good defensively he is, but his upside looks to be that of a Charles Johnson-type guy with the stick: a pure hacker / little speed / decent XB & HR power. Of course, Barajas is good defensively so all bets are off with Arencibia even making the Major Leagues if he doesn't stand out behind the dish.

When he was drafted Arencibia was probably a C- defensive player with a strong arm. He has actually managed to develop his defensive game and the silver lining in his struggles has been the growth of his defence. He is probably more a B defensive catcher with the upside of a B+.

If he can show some patience and shorten his swing. I think he would have potential to be a very good catcher (hence him becomming a 1st roudn selection) However to date, he hasn't seemed to change his approach at the plate. I do think he will be sent down to Single A to start the year and not be allowed to move up unless he learns patience.

[Big_Mac]

I agree, Arencibia needs to redo what he's currently doing at the plate. I fear maybe he was rushed along a little too much, it certainly seemed he jumped to AAA maybe a little early last year.

Not a good track record for the Jays when it comes to younger catchers. Diaz, Quiero, Thigpen and now Arencibia, Jerolman (last two haven't flamed out yet but the stock is certainly dropping.) When is the last time the Jays have employed a homegrown starting catcher?

[babaganoosh]

^^I think Kevin Cash played something like a third or half a year with us. Off hand, I'll guess that he probably batted under .200 that year :P Don't know if you count him or not.