Mets Add Another Catcher

GronauerAccording to PlanetHardball, the Mets have added yet another catcher to the spring training mix — and it’s NOT Rod Barajas (not yet anyway). Rather, they’ve brought in German-born backstop Kai Gronauer.

The 23-year-old receiver was invited to spring training, but will most likely end up back in the minors before long. He spent last year with the Savannah Sand Gnats and it not expected to compete for a job at the AAA level nor above. But, it’s still a good story.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. murph February 19, 2010 at 11:22 am
    I think I have figured out the Mets plan for catcher:
    Since they don’t have a bona fide every day catcher, each guy will play for 2 innings per game.
  2. joejanish February 19, 2010 at 1:48 pm
    Don’t laugh … one of the Florida colleges that recruited me a hundred years ago guaranteed I’d play 3 innings per game — they said it was “too hot and humid” for a catcher to stay back there all game, so they rotated 3 catchers per game.

    So maybe that IS the Mets plan — because no one catcher will be able to mentally handle the neurotic, non-strike throwing Mets pitchers for a full 9 innings.