This season could best be characterized by "a long-term focus." On the fence at the beginning of 1995, GM Gates Elliott blew up the team and has traded away almost every good player in the past season and a half. In the process picking up some true superstar prospects. In the midst of all the losing and the trading however, there has been a truly amazing story to captivate the imagination of the Madison faithful and add to their hopes for a first division finish next season.
At the beginning of 1995, 24 year-old John Catron found himself in A Laramie, about to be out of baseball. Too old to be a prospect that low in the system, Catron was overlooked by coaches and scouts. His phenomenally hot start to begin the season in 1995 (.363 with 19 HR and 76 RBI in just 67 games) was completely discounted because of his advanced age. Moved up to AA Rockford in mid-season 1995, Catron still banged out 15 homers in 50 games, but only posted a .258 batting average. "Not being able to hit for average and poor plate patience have doomed John throughout his minor league career. We've always known he carried a big bat, he just never learned how to use it well," said hitting coach Bombo Vadabonceour.
Faced with career oblivion, John played winter ball in Venezuela, hoping for one last chance. He hit well enough in Winter ball to earn an invite to Spring Training. There, he played sparingly, but worked tirelessly with coach Vadabonceour on his contact ability. Bombo himself had been a .318 career hitter in the MBBA with over 300 HR, and had a wealth of technique and training to give the young slugger. Catron responded well to the extra work and although he only got 13 at bats in spring training, he made the most of them, hitting .385 with homer and 4 RBI. Bench coach Charlie Feinkohl argued for Catron to break camp with the big league club, because his power could be useful off the bench. Given the weak state of the Wolves' outfield, Manager Remy Gauthreaux accepted Feinkohl's suggestion. So, despite never having hit above AA, and being nearly 26 years old, John Catron was given his dream shot.
What no one ever expected though is that he would make the most of it. Serving as a backup until midseason, John worked tirelessly in the batting cages, often spending hours before games on his swing. What has happened has been a shocking transformation. Scouts never thought he could hit .220 in the big leagues, but he's managed a solid .268 in 260 at-bats, 18 doubles and 6 home runs have shown good power results as well. His .760 OPS, while not outstanding, is acceptable for a starter. But what has the Wolves brass excited is that many scouts now say he has improved so much that they would not be shocked to see him hit .290 -.300 with 30-35 homers next year. Just one bad month from his unconditional release at the beginning of last season, John Catron is now poised for a chance at stardom.
