Jim Callis in today's Ask BA column:
What's your assessment of the catchers on the rosters for the Futures Game: Bryan Anderson (Cardinals), Lou Marson (Phillies) and Taylor Teagarden (Rangers) for the United States team, and Welington Castillo (Cubs) and Jesus Montero (Yankees) for the World clubs? Are there others who might have been better selections?
Jon Kauffmann-Kennel
Elkhart, Ind.He's having the worst statistical season of the five Futures Game catchers, but I still think Teagarden has the best chance to be an all-star catcher in the major leagues. He has the most complete game of the group, with Gold Glove ability behind the plate (provided he can stay healthy, which has been a problem during his minor league career) and solid power potential.
Teagarden also might be the only starting catcher among the Futures Gamers when all is said and done. Montero has the most pop of any of them, but also the most questions about his ability to remain a catcher. Anderson, Castillo and Marson are more line-drive hitters, with Castillo the best defender and Anderson the shakiest among that group.
The best catching prospect in the minors is obviously Matt Wieters (Orioles), who would have been a no-doubt Futures Game selection in previous years. But Major League Baseball wants to use this year's game to help select the U.S. Olympic team, and chose not to include Wieters.
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