WHIV 2059.5- Checking The Locks: Catchers

[recte44]

Sure Fire Locks (1):
Claudio Morgan, R/R- The Hustlers are very comfortable with Morgan getting 125 or so starts behind the dish, just like he's done each of the first four full seasons of his career.

Near Locks (0):
None.

Trying To Break In (1):
Jesse Holman, S/R- Not a premier defensive catcher, nor a big offensive threat. He's a contact hitter, a switch hitter "in name only" (he's essentially a lefty swinger). If he's your backup catcher, it's fine. At least until you need him to play a lot.

Breaking In The Back Door (4):
Alex Brown, R/R- He's only 22 years old, and has been the primary catcher each of the last two years for Pahrump (A). Not much of a hitter, a pretty decent defender. If defense is what you want, he's maybe the best of the bunch. Can't see him making a jump up three levels, though.

Steve Burton, R/R- The crusty veteran option, Burton has never had a positive WAR in the BBA. His defense the last two years with Milwaukee (AAA) has been below average.

Gabriel Herrera, R/R- He's literally average in every way, but he's a hard worker. Has played at the AAA level (19 games last year). His defensive metrics last year were abysmal.

Jaime Sousa, S/R- Another too young for prime time guy. When he was drafted it seemed he might be a bat first catcher, he's morphed into a glove guy.

NOTE: The Hustlers real prized young catchers are all in the low minors. They are probably going to have to dig up a backup catcher somewhere.

[BaseClogger]

Even backup catchers seem scarce these days.