CATCHERS - Atlanta Braves
1. Brian McCann- 2007 stats, .270 AVG, 18 HRs, 92 RBIs .772 OPS, .987 FPCTBrian McCann 2 time all star should easily start behind the plate for the Braves. McCann has improved each year technically with last years bad start bringing down his stats for 2007. McCann experience and good eye should easily help McCann to have a exceptional year this year, possibly a career year. If he can stay healthy, and keep his stats up this should be the best year for McCann since coming up from Mississippi AA in 2005. TalkingChop has done a very nice report on McCann and how he shapes up for the '08 season. Defensively McCann should also improve from his 13 error season in '07. Overall McCann I believe should have a career year as long as he remains healthy.
2008 projected stats: .300 AVG, 23 HRs, 102 RBIs, .791 OPS and a .990 FPCT
2. Javy Lopez- 2006 stats(BAL & BOS), .230 AVG, 8 HRs, 35 RBIs, .606 OPS and 3 Errors
Javy Lopez through his career has been a great asset to most
teams he has been on. The Best was his 11 year career in Atlanta. He had a career best in 2003 hitting 43 HR and batted a whopping .328. With his recent decline in offensive and especially in his defensive skills he was traded away from the Orioles who signed him in 2003 for full time Catching duties. In 2006, with the Boston Red Sox he pretty much ended his career as a starter. In backup duties on the Sox he was very limited only getting in a bat here and there. After the season the Red Sox released him and the Colorado Rockies signed him and offered him an invite to Spring Training, he then was released and did not play in 2007 at all. I believe that Lopez still has to prove his worth. Hiring Braves bench coach Chino Cadahia he is working on his defensive skills (which have always been a problem), and it seems he is serious about getting back to the majors. If Javy can be a reliable hitting and defensive backup he will get the job hands down mainly because of veteran presence and playoff experience.2008 Projected stats: .233 AVG, 10 HRs, 38 RBIs, .585 OPS, 3-5 Errors
3. Clint Sammons- 2007 A and AA total stats, .243 AVG, 5 HRs, 35 RBIs, .631 OPS, .951 FPCTSammons, who was drafted in the 6th round by the Braves in 2004, is a mid level prospect. He has lived up to that potential and has become a solid defensive backstop with little power and hit for league average. Sammons coming off of a solid defensive year for Myrtle Beach A and Mississippi AA has a chance to get on the 25 man roster after spring training if he brings his A game only. With a recent promotion to AA Mississippi many are wondering if Sammons will be able to forgo AAA and hit the majors as a backup for the Braves this season. Though I believe he would do below average work for a backup catcher there really is no need to rush this prospect to the majors with Lopez most likely getting the backup role this year. Next year is the time in my opinion that Sammons should play and play full time backup for the Braves. It will not only save the Braves money(for Teixeira), but it will allow him to be seasoned at AA and AAA this year to be ready for the MLB in '09.
2008 AA and AAA total Projected stats: .240 AVG, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, .603 OPS and .950 FPCT
Tomorrow I will put up the Tigers potential Catchers.
(disclaimer- Sammons and Lopez analysis came from my post on Blabberin Braves on Backup Catcher)
No comments:
Post a Comment