Catchers of the Future on Display
By Mike Silva ~ November 14th, 2009. Filed under: Yanks Minors.
Having a strong minor league system is obviously a prerequisite for sustainable success, but the Yankees seem to focus on developing some of the hardest positions in baseball. They not only have strong starting pitching coming through the system, but also have left handed reliever and catchers that may be second to none. As NYBD contributor Jed Weisberger points out in his November 12th Baselines column two of those receivers, Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, very well could be on display this coming season at AA Trenton.
Montero is the big fish in the Yankees system. He draws comparisons to Mike Piazza because of his huge build, suspect defense, and superior bat. It’s a great comparison because I remember watching him at the AA All Star Game this summer and being amazed at home alike he is to the former Mets catcher in the way he carries himself on the field. This summer he put up an OPS of .951 combined in Tampa and Trenton and played in his second Futures Game. He has been struggling in Venezuela this winter (hitting .115), but it shouldn’t be any cause for concern.
Austin Romine is the better defensive catcher of the two. Son of a former big leaguer (Kevin) he also has ascended through the system quickly. In limited playing time in the AFL he is hitting .400 and, as Jed pointed out in his NYBD Top 50 Yankees prospects report, has improved his footwork and release. He may not have the offensive ceiling of Montero, but may be more well rounded as a prospect.
If both play in Trenton this summer they will split DH and catching duties. I can easily see Montero making his way to AAA sooner rather than later because of his bat. The beauty of it all is that Yankees fans can take a day trip south on the NJ Turnpike to see a couple of future Bombers hone their trade. Finding one top catching prospect is a home run in baseball, but if you include Francisco Cervelli the Yankees have three possible candidates to replace Jorge Posada. Too much catching is certainly a good problem to have.
Listen to me this Sunday at 10 pm on 1240 AM WGBB as Scranton Yankees hitting coach Butch Wynegar and Jed Weisberger talk about the Yankees top prospects.
