WHITESOXRANDY Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 I've never seen him play but I've followed his progress a bit the past 2 seasons. And, he seems to me to be a pretty legit catcher. I'm asking those of you that have seen him or follow him closer if he could be ready to be the Sox backup next year ? Or what would he need to do to become the Sox backup ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggsmaggs Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 QUOTE(WHITESOXRANDY @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 10:10 AM) I've never seen him play but I've followed his progress a bit the past 2 seasons. And, he seems to me to be a pretty legit catcher. I'm asking those of you that have seen him or follow him closer if he could be ready to be the Sox backup next year ? Or what would he need to do to become the Sox backup ? He is ready. He is a better option than Alomar, but Alomar has more experience in calling games for big league pitchers. They would like Stewart to be more familiar with the guys he is calling, so they will wait till next season to bring him up. He is the perfect compliment to A.J. being righty even though statistically he hits righties better. He is a great defensive catcher who throws well and handles a pitching staff well. There is no doubt in my mind that defensively he is a top major league catcher and he can provide enough offense as a back-up catcher to be an above-average back-up catcher. He will be on the team next year, no doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 QUOTE(maggsmaggs @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 11:25 AM) He is ready. He is a better option than Alomar, but Alomar has more experience in calling games for big league pitchers. They would like Stewart to be more familiar with the guys he is calling, so they will wait till next season to bring him up. He is the perfect compliment to A.J. being righty even though statistically he hits righties better. He is a great defensive catcher who throws well and handles a pitching staff well. There is no doubt in my mind that defensively he is a top major league catcher and he can provide enough offense as a back-up catcher to be an above-average back-up catcher. He will be on the team next year, no doubt. Very possible. I also think Sandy will replace Raines on the coaching staff next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 i realize he good defensively and handles the pitchers, but i want no part of a guy with a .312 OBP and a .375 SLG in the bandbox at charlotte on the big league team... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danman31 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 QUOTE(daa84 @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 12:13 PM) i realize he good defensively and handles the pitchers, but i want no part of a guy with a .312 OBP and a .375 SLG in the bandbox at charlotte on the big league team... He's doing a little better on the road. That makes me think he is a slap hitter, which makes sense considering he has virtually no power. He's had an inconsistent year. Other than April and July he's had decent numbers. One thing to worry about is that his walk rate has fallen way off since May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted August 11, 2006 Share Posted August 11, 2006 Well, with AJ here he wouldn't be catching a ton anyways. He's pretty much Widge with defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 QUOTE(YASNY @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 10:35 AM) Very possible. I also think Sandy will replace Baines on the coaching staff next year. Fixed. Post-2006 + Baines = Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted August 12, 2006 Share Posted August 12, 2006 QUOTE(Jake @ Aug 12, 2006 -> 06:27 AM) Fixed. Post-2006 + Baines = I believe Baines' contract has already been extended. Raines' has not been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHITESOXRANDY Posted August 14, 2006 Author Share Posted August 14, 2006 Thanks for the responses. What I gather is that he IS ready defensively to be solid at the major league level but offensively it seems that he may be far away. I guess the question will be do the White Sox feel that he is too far away offensively to be on the team next year. I would love to see him as a homegrown young backup next year that could develop into a realcontributor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heads22 Posted August 14, 2006 Share Posted August 14, 2006 Well, Chris just hit the DL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitesox61382 Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 QUOTE(daa84 @ Aug 11, 2006 -> 05:13 PM) i realize he good defensively and handles the pitchers, but i want no part of a guy with a .312 OBP and a .375 SLG in the bandbox at charlotte on the big league team... I am not a greedy man. All I want out of my back up catcher is good defense and a .250+ BA. I think he would be a perfect option next year. Relatively young, cheap, right handed, good defensively, ok bat, puts the ball into play, ect. The Sox haven't had that in a back up catcher for a while. It would be nice to have a catcher that can actually throw out a runner every now and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 QUOTE(whitesox61382 @ Aug 15, 2006 -> 04:06 PM) I am not a greedy man. All I want out of my back up catcher is good defense and a .250+ BA. I think he would be a perfect option next year. Relatively young, cheap, right handed, good defensively, ok bat, puts the ball into play, ect. The Sox haven't had that in a back up catcher for a while. It would be nice to have a catcher that can actually throw out a runner every now and again. Chris Widger was poor in all aspects of his game besides the cool sunglasses. With Stewart you get the good defense/arm plus his batting avg. should at least be respectable. Thats all you can ask for in the backup catcher of the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted August 15, 2006 Share Posted August 15, 2006 QUOTE(whitesox61382 @ Aug 15, 2006 -> 11:06 AM) I am not a greedy man. All I want out of my back up catcher is good defense and a .250+ BA. I think he would be a perfect option next year. Relatively young, cheap, right handed, good defensively, ok bat, puts the ball into play, ect. The Sox haven't had that in a back up catcher for a while. It would be nice to have a catcher that can actually throw out a runner every now and again. To be fair, Contreras, Garcia, and Vazquez are complete failures at doing anything to prevent a runner from stealing a base. Garland at least has a nice slidestep, and Buehrles pickoff move is legendary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Hudler Posted August 19, 2006 Share Posted August 19, 2006 Anything you get with Stewart at the plate is a bonus. He has MLB backup catcher written all over him. He's a quality person with good defensive skills. He's one of the best catch and throw guys I have seen play (not as good as Humberto Quintero, however). Chris's hitting has improved greatly the past 2 years. He'll play once or twice a week, so no need to expect big things from him offensively. The only problem I had with Chris is that he seemed to have too many passed balls. I can't seem to find defensive stats on him, but I think there were times where he lost concentration. I hope he has gotten better in that regard, but that cannot happen in the bigs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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