Ask BA on Teagarden

by BHill on Jul 7, 2008 12:46 PM CDT

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.

1 recs | Comment 15 comments

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buh-bomp – bah bome..........

...WAAAOOOOOOOOooowwwwwwwww...

by oc on Jul 7, 2008 1:00 PM CDT 0 recs

Any chance

Teagarden (or any other Ranger prospects) get on the US Olympic team?

Some people think it is a silly thing, but I think it is really cool. When I think of Ben Sheets, I think Olympic Gold.

by JBImaknee on Jul 7, 2008 1:12 PM CDT 0 recs

I really just don’t know what to make of him these days. His AAA struggles and history of injuries outweigh the power/patience combo at the plate and the defensive prowess in my mind, but a nice ten game stretch could change that opinion in a hurry.

by clark on Jul 7, 2008 1:20 PM CDT 0 recs

I just can't stop thinking...

...he will most likely be a Bill Haselman type at best.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I just don’t think of him as being an All-Star or near-All-Star type catcher for 10-12 years.

Physician: Primum non nocere

Batter: First, make no out

by Chad Crudup on Jul 7, 2008 1:34 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think

he will be more of a charles johnson type. At least I hope so. Gold glove caliber defense along with some pop and fairly low average.

by booyahcaveman on Jul 7, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

Seems like some bloggers opinions on here have changed since last year.

Im happy with a combo of Salts and MaxRam. I think Tea is all hype, but I could be wrong. He sure isn’t proving me wrong though.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 7, 2008 1:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Devil's advocate

He was touted as a strong defensive catcher when drafted, how is he all hype?

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 7, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

offense,

he did all right last year, I figured he would become an offensive threat, not just a highly touted d-catcher.

Of course though, this is a gut feeling and he is still young enough to let his offense catch up with his defense.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Jul 7, 2008 5:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

He was never thought of

as a big bat, though, and though he’s been slumping he’s still getting on base at a league average rate and has some power. I’m not worried about his bat, just his health.

Time you enjoy wasting was not wasted.

by t ball on Jul 7, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up 0 recs