Diamondbacks Bullpen

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject: Catcher Questions

This thought occurred to me while daydreaming on RJ pitching for the DBacks again...

Does Hammock become RJ's personal catcher? He's the one with the experience with those wicked Unit sliders, caught his perfect game, etc.

Can Hammock handle one start a week with his knees and all?

Assuming RJ only pitches half a season and Hammock only catches RJ, that really only takes, what, 80 something ABs away from Snyder/Montero.
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shoewizard · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

Is it necessary? He caught the perfect game and all...but I don't quite understand the need for Hammock as RJ's personal catcher. Do they have some special rapport ?

Maybe they do, I don't know. I would start out by justifying WHY RJ needs Hammock, and then evaluate whether or not it's worth giving Montero or Snyders AB's to him every 5th day.

McCray · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

snyder and montero seem like the better options. but this is randy. i wouldn't want to be the guy explaining to him why he wasn't getting the catcher he wanted. i'd be afraid he'd eat my face or something.

for whatever reason, he really did seem to take a shine to hammock during 2004.
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B. O. N. D. · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject:

Well, it seems like RJ would be a tricky guy to catch. IIRC, I read something on the web about Posada struggling a bit with RJ's slider?

I would think that RJ would be more comfortable with Hammock vis a vis their history. Obviously, Hammock knows/knew how to call a game with Randy on the mound.

I could see RJ and Snyder working, even so. RJ/Montero... uh... I just don't know.

To reverse it, how comfortable would Snyder or Montero be working with the legendary Big Unit? Confused

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matt · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject:

Snyder caught RJ a few times in 2004.

baldmaga · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject:

IIRC, didn't the Yankees sign Stinnett just to catch Johnson?

Counsell · MLB Rookie Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 220

Johnson wants "personal catchers" because they are superior defensively.
Posada, for example, is known for his hitting. Snyder is so far superior defensively to Hammock it's not even close. And for that matter, so is Montero. I can't imagine this will be a problem.

YBC-Dog · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

I thought Randy said some good things about Snyder in 2004.

I agree that Snyder is way better defensively, so it's a no brainer.

B. O. N. D. · Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:13 pm Post subject:

I agree re: Snyder. It was simply nothing more than a thought realizing that Hammock will probably be on the team with his history with RJ.

I think I overreacted. Embarassed

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