MPH System Audit IV: Part IV: Catchers

Anyone who actually thought I'd delete the blog...smh (lol)

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CATCHERS
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1. AA/MLB Josh Thole L/R 10/28/86 (AA Binghamton .328/.395/.422/.816, 126 for 384, 48 runs, 29 2b, 2 3b, HR, 46 RBI, 42/34 BB/K, 8/12 SBs, MLB New York .321/.356/.396/.752, 17 for 53, 2 runs, 2 2b, 3b, 9 RBI, 4/5 BB/K, SB, VWL Caracas .381/.470/.581/1.050, 59 for 155, 33 runs, 18 2b, 2 3b, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 25/13 BB/K, CS)

Total 2009 Stats: .341/.412/.461/.873, 202 for 592, 83 runs, 49 2b, 5 3b, 4 HR, 83 RBI, 9/14 SBs, 71/52 BB/K, .088 K rate, 1.3654 BB/K ratio

Thole was drafted by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2005 draft. After signing, Thole began a slow and steady trek through the system, making a position switch (from c to 1b and back) along the way, culminating in a callup in 2009 to the majors.

Thole followed up on a breakout 2008 by besting his totals in AVG, OBP, BB/K ratio, and OPS in 2009. Thole is still raw behind the plate, but offensively, he's definitely not a work in progress. He possesses a quick short stroke which he uses to hit for a high average, and lots of doubles. He doesn't have much HR power, but he is a gap to gap hitter. Thole has an average arm behind the plate, but he needs to work on letting the pitch come to him, too often he stabs at the ball.

THE FUTURE: Thole will definitely be in Buffalo to open 2010, and likely will spend all season there before opening 2011 as the starting catcher in New York.

2. A+ Francisco Pena R/R 10/12/89 (A+ St. Lucie .224/.258/.329/.588, 88 for 392, 43 runs, 15 2b, 3b, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 15/78 BB/K, DWL Aguilas .192/.228/.370/.598, 14 for 73, 8 runs, 5 2b, 3b, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2/21 BB/K)

Total 2009 Stats: .219/.253/.335/.589, 102 for 465, 51 runs, 20 2b, 2 3b, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 17/99 BB/K, .213 K rate, .1717 BB/K ratio

Pena was signed in 2006 as an IFA, and spent the next two seasons in Savannah, before getting a bump up to St. Lucie for the 2009 season.

Pena, outside of one hot two week stretch, had a very mediocre season in St. Lucie. Subtracting a 12 for 38 stretch (2 2b, 3b, 4 HR) from his season totals, Pena hit just .215/.246/.285/.531 in 354 ABs.

Pena is still young, and as such has many adjustments to make to his game, and he has not been well served at all by the Mets insane handling of him, but at the same time, he's shown little growth as a hitter. Pena is still raw behind the plate, but he has been making strides defensively. He has average arm strength and his mechanics need improving, but he has been conditioning himself better each season.

THE FUTURE: Pena should definitely open 2010 back in St. Lucie, but thereafter move up a level per season, meaning he'll be in Buffalo during the 2012 season.

3. R Nelfi Zapata R/R 12/13/90 (R GCL .261/.341/.370/.710, 31 for 119, 18 runs, 6 2b, 2 3b, HR, 13 RBI, 11/26 BB/K)

4. A- Dock Doyle L/R 3/24/86 (A- Brooklyn .257/.332/.345/.677, 44 for 171, 13 runs, 8 2b, 2 3b, HR, 18 RBI, 18/27 BB/K)

5. Jeff Glenn DNP