Mets Spring Training Question 13: Third-string Catcher
With pitchers and Molinas reporting to Port St. Lucie in 13 days, Mets question #13 is this: who is — as Jerry Manuel might ask — the backup to the backup backstop?
We already know that Mike Nickeas is the backup catcher to starter Josh Thole. But what happens if either Nickeas or Thole go down with an injury? Who is next in line?
Sure, there are more pressing matters to deal with during spring training, but it’s still a fair question, and one that needs to be answered in the six weeks between mid-February and Opening Day. And I’m not even sure who the Mets have as candidates.
There are two “non-roster” invitees to spring training who are catchers: Lucas May and Rob Johnson. Neither is particularly auspicious. I think the Mets still have Dusty Ryan, who toiled in Buffalo and Binghamton last year. German-born Kai Gronauer is presumably an option. Further down the line are youngsters Francisco Pena and Juan Centeno, two 22-year-olds who are nowhere near ready for prime time.
If you ask me, I don’t have an answer; I have no idea what might separate May from Johnson from Ryan from Gronauer — they’re all unknown quantities to me. But, I imagine someone will show something during spring training to surge ahead as the Mets #3 catcher, ready and waiting in Buffalo.
What do you know about these backstops? Can you clue me in on who might have the inside track, and why?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=rottin001vin
He doesn’t strike out much, has a little power and is a lifetime .295 hitter. I’d surely like to see what he can do behind the dish.
Or we could go for quickness. Which Met has the best reflexes? Maybe Santana? Huh, actually, there’s a thought. I bet a lot of guys would feel confident throwing what Johan calls.
Googling ….
Daniel Murphy?
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/18225/whos-the-emergency-catcher
Says Hu, but then they used him for first base.
Turner is game …
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/12/justin-turner-%E2%80%9Ci%E2%80%99ll-do-whatever-the-team-needs-me-to-do%E2%80%9D.html
Yeah, I’m looking for intangibles, because all the tangibles are as underwhelming as our current options. Rob Johnson can’t hit at all, and while some praise his D, others trash it.
Pudge’s arm is still good…