Around the Horn: Catchers
01/18/2006
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- When the Royals made their big trade of 2004, sending star center fielder Carlos Beltran to the Houston Astros, they obtained three guys who were largely anonymous.
Third baseman Mark Teahen and pitcher Mike Wood arrived from the Oakland A's in the three-club swap. And catcher John Buck checked in from the Astros.
All three survive in important roles. Buck, though, probably had the toughest assignment.
Fresh from Triple-A New Orleans, he was thrust into the job of handling a Major League pitching staff -- no easy task, even for a veteran catcher.
He's been at it for a season and a half now, and the Royals continue to be confident that Buck will be their catcher for a long time.
Last season, Buck played 118 games and batted .242. The tall, slender right-handed hitter had just 12 home runs and 47 RBIs, which were disappointing production numbers.
In each of his two years with Kansas City, he's finished strong offensively. Last year he hit safely in 17 of his last 19 starts with a .356 average (26-for-73), four homers and 15 RBIs. That boosted his average from .216 to .242. But it's long-term consistency that has eluded him so far.
Yet it's the defense and game-calling that the Royals make a priority for Buck. Can he call an intelligent game? Can he block errant pitches? Can he get off his throws to second base quickly?
So far, so good.
"We were pleased when he came in after the trade and did a solid job receiving the ball with above-average blocking skills," general manager Allard Baird said. "He's still learning to call a game but, overall, we're pleased."
Helping pitchers hold back base-stealers is a big item for Buck. A lanky, 6-foot-3 guy, he tended to unwind too slowly on his throws to second base.
"But he improved his release time last year," Baird noted.
During Buck's stay with the Royals, he's been given the support of wily, dusty old-timers who could impart the wisdom of this position. To be sure, it's demanding not only physically but mentally.
He's worked with Benito Santiago and Alberto Castillo. Upon his arrival, the manager was ex-catcher Tony Pena, who knew Buck from their days in the Astros organization. This year, new bullpen coach Fred Kendall will join returning coach Brian Poldberg in schooling Buck.
This year's veteran partner will be Paul Bako, who has eight Major League seasons behind him.
Bako has moved around, catching for Detroit, Houston, Florida, Atlanta, Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's regarded as a good handler of pitchers, guiding them to an ERA of below 4.00 during his career.
Another plus is that Bako is a left-handed hitter, which gives manager Buddy Bell the luxury of doing some platooning with the right-handed Buck.
On the debit side, Bako missed almost all of last season with a knee injury.
"He has solid, above-average receiving skills and is above-average in handling a pitching staff," Baird said. "He'll be able to aid us in the development of Buck."
Behind Buck and Bako, if needed, is Paul Phillips. He made a good impression in the last two seasons after three years of down time because of injuries.
Phillips returned to hit .312 for Triple-A Omaha in 2004 and had a .262 mark last season. In 23 games for the Royals, he had a .269 average and was notably aggressive behind the plate.
Source: http://royals.mlb.com/
SURPRISE, Ariz. -- When the Royals made their big trade of 2004, sending star center fielder Carlos Beltran to the Houston Astros, they obtained three guys who were largely anonymous.
Third baseman Mark Teahen and pitcher Mike Wood arrived from the Oakland A's in the three-club swap. And catcher John Buck checked in from the Astros.
All three survive in important roles. Buck, though, probably had the toughest assignment.
Fresh from Triple-A New Orleans, he was thrust into the job of handling a Major League pitching staff -- no easy task, even for a veteran catcher.
He's been at it for a season and a half now, and the Royals continue to be confident that Buck will be their catcher for a long time.
Last season, Buck played 118 games and batted .242. The tall, slender right-handed hitter had just 12 home runs and 47 RBIs, which were disappointing production numbers.
In each of his two years with Kansas City, he's finished strong offensively. Last year he hit safely in 17 of his last 19 starts with a .356 average (26-for-73), four homers and 15 RBIs. That boosted his average from .216 to .242. But it's long-term consistency that has eluded him so far.
Yet it's the defense and game-calling that the Royals make a priority for Buck. Can he call an intelligent game? Can he block errant pitches? Can he get off his throws to second base quickly?
So far, so good.
"We were pleased when he came in after the trade and did a solid job receiving the ball with above-average blocking skills," general manager Allard Baird said. "He's still learning to call a game but, overall, we're pleased."
Helping pitchers hold back base-stealers is a big item for Buck. A lanky, 6-foot-3 guy, he tended to unwind too slowly on his throws to second base.
"But he improved his release time last year," Baird noted.
During Buck's stay with the Royals, he's been given the support of wily, dusty old-timers who could impart the wisdom of this position. To be sure, it's demanding not only physically but mentally.
He's worked with Benito Santiago and Alberto Castillo. Upon his arrival, the manager was ex-catcher Tony Pena, who knew Buck from their days in the Astros organization. This year, new bullpen coach Fred Kendall will join returning coach Brian Poldberg in schooling Buck.
This year's veteran partner will be Paul Bako, who has eight Major League seasons behind him.
Bako has moved around, catching for Detroit, Houston, Florida, Atlanta, Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He's regarded as a good handler of pitchers, guiding them to an ERA of below 4.00 during his career.
Another plus is that Bako is a left-handed hitter, which gives manager Buddy Bell the luxury of doing some platooning with the right-handed Buck.
On the debit side, Bako missed almost all of last season with a knee injury.
"He has solid, above-average receiving skills and is above-average in handling a pitching staff," Baird said. "He'll be able to aid us in the development of Buck."
Behind Buck and Bako, if needed, is Paul Phillips. He made a good impression in the last two seasons after three years of down time because of injuries.
Phillips returned to hit .312 for Triple-A Omaha in 2004 and had a .262 mark last season. In 23 games for the Royals, he had a .269 average and was notably aggressive behind the plate.
Source: http://royals.mlb.com/
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home