I think Salty is improving

[Dojji]

Call me crazy but I think this kid is quietly getting better.

 

Low OBP notwithstanding, I like what Salty is doing with the stick. He's got power to spare and I can stand a low OBP from a catcher.

 

What I like a lot more is that Salty has only let 2 balls get under him this year -- he's improved at his worst area and isn't likely to lead the league in passed balls. This is the point in Tek's career where he stopped watching them go by which I'm encouraged by as well.

 

He does need to get back to last year's numbers at throwing out baserunners. I think he's getting a bit more respect there but I've noticed his release point tends to be kind of all over the place.

 

As far as pitchcalling goes, jury's still out. He was off to a terrible start but I think he's settling down and learning from his mistakes there. I think the pitching staff as a whole is turning around. Shoppach's veteran presence perhaps, but Shoppach has never been much of a prize as a pitchcaller either.

 

So he has obvious needs as a catcher who can stop the run, and as one who can call a game, but I think he's showing improvement and is probably giving us above average overall production from the catcher's spot at the moment.

[jacksonianmarch]

He's got power to spare, that is true. But a sub .300 OBP means he's a liability offensively. And, he's hot right now. He doesn't get on base and has huge stretches of horrible production. Couple that with an abysmal defensive game and he's not improving. Just more gilding of the Lilly from Dojji

[Dojji]

Laughable.

 

OBP is a very important number, but not having a good OBP isn't enough all by itself to make you a liability.

 

And I notice you glossed over any comment of mine that Salty's defensive game had improved from the start of the year and just called him a bad defender pretty much sight unseen.

 

In short, commenting to a post saying a player was improving, by citing his reputation out of the old scouting reports, really doesn't address any point I raised.

[a700hitter]

The annual, "Salty is doing great thread." This one is earlier than last year's

[Bellhorn04]

I don't have any issues with Salty's offense. It's more than adequate for a catcher and he shows signs of getting better with the stick. It's his defence that's the crucial factor.

[kapsis21]

I don't have any issues with Salty's offense. It's more than adequate for a catcher and he shows signs of getting better with the stick. It's his defence that's the crucial factor.

 

he has couple good games and then one WTF game where passed balls and missed plays takes over him..

[ORS]

By "quietly", you must mean a mouse farting in the wind. Yeah, I'd call that his rate of "quiet" improvement.

[SoxSport]

Salty tries hard, is a big rugged guy, and has been hitting lately. I don't know where he is about calling pitches. That's important for a catcher, especially with marginal pitching. I think we'll see Lav pretty soon--Salty needs some help or he'll need some salt by August. Shoppach seems to be non-factor with the fast development of Lav. He might get traded.

[Bellhorn04]

Salty tries hard' date=' is a big rugged guy, and has been hitting lately. I don't know where he is about calling pitches. That's important for a catcher, especially with marginal pitching. I think we'll see Lav pretty soon--Salty needs some help or he'll need some salt by August. Shoppach seems to be non-factor with the fast development of Lav. He might get traded.[/quote']

 

And I don't think they should trade Shoppach. I like having one veteran at the catcher position. Plus he and Lester have been doing great together. 3 starts, 2 complete games.

[VA Sox Fan]

The annual' date=' "Salty is doing great thread." This one is earlier than last year's [/quote']

 

Adequate bro .....adequate!

[a700hitter]

Adequate bro .....adequate!

And tall too!

[jung]

Adequate bro .....adequate!

 

As what....a sign post?

[redsoxfan3]

Salty tries hard' date=' is a big rugged guy, and has been hitting lately. I don't know where he is about calling pitches. That's important for a catcher, especially with marginal pitching. I think we'll see Lav pretty soon--Salty needs some help or he'll need some salt by August. Shoppach seems to be non-factor with the fast development of Lav. He might get traded.[/quote']

 

If Lavarnway keeps hitting the way he is and keeps improving both offensively and defensively in Pawtucket, then I have a hard time not calling him up. I think we can make a real run in the AL East. We are starting to get better with pitching, the offense has always been there. Lavarnway would only help us out offensively and he is probably a little better defensively than Salty. He is not better by much, but I think he has more potential to be a better defensive catcher than Salty because of his work ethic. We will see Lavarnway during the September callups, but I really hope he is up well before that. Maybe in July or August.

[iortiz]

This is Salty, I mean, you won't see more, it is what it is. The question is, do you want to live with that?... I would share the load with Lav, and if the kid shows that he is ready, give him the goddamn job. We are clogging ourselves in every aspect. First the payroll and now prospects that should be playing, are not/wii not.

[Laser Show]

And dog s*** doesn't smell nearly as bad once it's dried out in the sun long enough.

 

 

 

 

He's still s***, you're just getting accustomed to his shittiness.

[SoxSport]

If Lavarnway keeps hitting the way he is and keeps improving both offensively and defensively in Pawtucket' date=' then I have a hard time not calling him up. I think we can make a real run in the AL East. We are starting to get better with pitching, the offense has always been there. Lavarnway would only help us out offensively and he is probably a little better defensively than Salty. He is not better by much, but I think he has more potential to be a better defensive catcher than Salty because of his work ethic. We will see Lavarnway during the September callups, but I really hope he is up well before that. Maybe in July or August.[/quote']

 

I think an injection of youth would spark the team, as Brooks has. That's why a lot of people want Lav and Iggy playing. I think the whole organation went stale, and needs some new blood--everywhere.

[seabeachfred]

First we're farting around with Middlebrooks and planning on sending him down to Pawtucket for some more "damn seasoning" that he doesn't need and now we are still playing games with Ryan Lsvarnway who is ready to be called up to take over at catcher from one whose defense has not improved very much at all. Why the Red Sox keep making these same mistakes over and over again speaks volumes to the stupidity of the front office. Somehow they've lost their sense of perspective. When Pedroia was ready he was brought up, when Ellsbury was ready he was brought up...same with Papelbon and Lester. Youkilis a little late to be honest about it. I don't want to see this happen to Middlebrooks and Lavarnway. Those two along with Ryan Kalish (when he's ready) should be put in that lineup and kept there. If we decide not to resign Papi next year and use the money from him and other expiring contracts to get pitching, then fine, we can DH Ryan and catch Jarrod if he can improve his defense and OBA. However, from what I've seen of our inability to ever come back from a deficit and pull out a win, which we haven't done once this year, this is not a championship caliber team and if this keeps up for another month or two the front office has to cut the ******** and start rebuilding with some of our young and talented players. Of course, a long winning streak or a series of good winning streaks might change that thought but I haven't seen any of that yet from this club and, therefore, we should start thinking of the future.

[Laser Show]

First we're farting around with Middlebrooks and planning on sending him down to Pawtucket for some more "damn seasoning" that he doesn't need and now we are still playing games with Ryan Lsvarnway who is ready to be called up to take over at catcher from one whose defense has not improved very much at all. Why the Red Sox keep making these same mistakes over and over again speaks volumes to the stupidity of the front office. Somehow they've lost their sense of perspective. When Pedroia was ready he was brought up' date=' when Ellsbury was ready he was brought up...same with Papelbon and Lester. Youkilis a little late to be honest about it. I don't want to see this happen to Middlebrooks and Lavarnway. Those two along with Ryan Kalish (when he's ready) should be put in that lineup and kept there. [b']If we decide not to resign Papi next year and use the money from him and other expiring contracts to get pitching, then fine, we can DH Ryan and catch Jarrod if he can improve his defense and OBA.[/b] However, from what I've seen of our inability to ever come back from a deficit and pull out a win, which we haven't done once this year, this is not a championship caliber team and if this keeps up for another month or two the front office has to cut the ******** and start rebuilding with some of our young and talented players. Of course, a long winning streak or a series of good winning streaks might change that thought but I haven't seen any of that yet from this club and, therefore, we should start thinking of the future.

 

Honestly, I'd rather have Lavarnway and Shoppach back there splitting time 35/65-ish. The 35% of the time Lavarnway is behind the plate is a "rest" day for one of the everyday fielders, where they DH for the day.

[SoxSport]

The history is they bring young guys up when they have a hole. Lately, they have been filling the holes with veteran retreads--blocking the young guys. Big contracts have also blocked them. The Sox are not heavily into depending on their farm sytem--in case you haven't noticed.

[mvp 78]

I'm going to enjoy this hot streak while it lasts. Defensively, he's still slightly below average. However, if he could keep up this offensive pace, there's little reason to rush Lavarnway up (it's not like Lavs is tearing it up right now with 2HRs and a .729 OPS).

[Brennan]

It's a crappy player having a hot streak, let's not get ahead of ourselves.

[Emmz]

Nah son.

 

Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who I shall now refer to as Jarrod Scrotalamacchia, or "Scrotey", once again has ass for OBP. Doubt he maintains this level of power, and when all is said and done, he'll be right back to his usual .750 OPS, .300 OBP norm.

 

You made an identical thread last year, Doj'.

 

http://www.talksox.com/forum/talk-sox-forum/15385-saltalamacchia-starting-tear-up.html

 

So, let's have a little over/under type game.

 

Dojji's next Salty thread: before or after May 1st of 2013?

[TutGadol]

His glove is so bad. I estimate he drops 1.5 more plays a game then an average MLB starting catcher.

[User Name]

Salty on his yearly tear. Ride it out until he peaks, and then Lavarnway time.