Is Tony Sanchez even the Pirates' best minor league catcher?

by Roberto on Feb 21, 2012 8:19 PM EST

From WTM's profiles

The Pirates could have a catching crunch at Altoona in 2012, as both Cabrera and Paulino deserve promotions, but Altoona’s 2011 catcher, Tony Sanchez, does not.

At Bradenton in 2011 Ramon Cabrera hit 0.343, with 25 doubles and 38 walks (as opposed to 29 strike outs). In contrast, his understudy, Carlos Paulino, hit 0.299, with 18 doubles, 18 walks, and 33 strikeouts.

In contrast, Tony Sanchez hit 0.314 with 17 doubles, 28 walks, and 41 strike outs at Bradenton in 2010. Although Sanchez is a good receiver, he has not done so well in throwing out runners. In three minor league seasons he's thrown out 22% of runners attempting to steal. Of course Cabrera only threw out 23%, but Paulino threw out 34%. Sure, sure, you steal on the pitcher, not on the catcher. But the pitchers were not any more adept when Cabrera or Paulino were catching.

Poll

So who's the best catching prospect in the minors?

Ramon Cabrera

63 votes

Carlos Paulino

17 votes

Tony Sanchez

148 votes

Someone else

9 votes

237 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Comments

I think it’s worth noting that the headline asks a different question than the poll does. I could see an argument for Ramon Cabrera being a better FSL catcher than Tony Sanchez, but Sanchez is most definitely the better prospect.

by epoc on Feb 21, 2012 8:50 PM EST reply actions

Although Sanchez is a good receiver, he has not done so well in throwing out runners

I was under the impression that most catchers have a much worse time throwing out runners in the minors; not a ton of rapport with pitching staff, pitchers focusing on pitching instead of holding runners, etc.

by SuperBaes on Feb 21, 2012 9:30 PM EST reply actions

On the one hand: The pitchers at Altoona last year were told not to worry about holding runners on base, in order to focus on other things. That’s going to have a negative effect on the running game.

On the other hand: Sanchez has had some arm problems, so a certain amount of concern about his throwing is reasonable and prudent.

by Vlad on Feb 22, 2012 9:08 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Sanchez has had some arm problems

Serious, career-changing arm issues? I was under the impression that his jaw was the only real injury to be concerned about.

by SuperBaes on Feb 25, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Nothing super serial

http://www.bucsdugout.com/2010/4/20/1432537/tony-sanchez-hurts-shoulder

He DH’ed about 1/3 of his 60 games in 2010.

"What up no wings"

by Mr. E on Feb 25, 2012 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

Tony Sanchez is the best catcher still in the minor league system. He will keep it that way unless he is out played and benched this season in favor of someone else

Thats what she said! - Michael Gary Scott

by C Shint on Feb 21, 2012 9:49 PM EST reply actions

Somebody just got their shiny new Baseball America issue #1206 huh?

by Drufan11 on Feb 22, 2012 6:59 AM EST reply actions

wow

nice attempt at a rude, witty comment but it didn’t quite work. made you look dumb.

twitter.com/iandavidjackson

by omar moreno on Feb 22, 2012 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Drufan11 is correct.

And it was very laudatory about Cabrera. But is he really 5’8" and 194, or 5’7" and 230? I’ve heard both. Does he have a cannon, or does he struggle throwing base runners out? I actually wanted to get some views from other BD posters who know more about him. I’ve never seen him. Rene Gayo certainly seems to have a man crush.

Viva Clemente!

by Roberto on Feb 22, 2012 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

Cabrera

Does not look extremely heavy, I’d guess 190.

Saw him today and for the last 4 days.

by God Loves on Feb 22, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks

Did anyone see him last year? Opinions about weight or arm?

Viva Clemente!

by Roberto on Feb 22, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

I'll give Sanchez the benefit of the doubt for his 2011 performance

after the multiple injuries he endured in 2010.

that said, Sanchez really does need to step it up in 2012, or he might get passed.

by gonfalon on Feb 22, 2012 12:12 PM EST reply actions

yeah, well...

you can say that about pretty much every other player as well.

by white angus on Feb 22, 2012 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

well we will see

cabrera will be at altoona and sanchez should make to indy.It been interesting if they are both at altoona.

by wishiewashie on Feb 22, 2012 5:28 PM EST reply actions

very curious about the "someone else" votes

are people thinking of Elias Diaz? or someone else altogether (Samuel Gonzalez)?

by BurgherKing on Feb 22, 2012 5:46 PM EST reply actions

Could also be interpreting the question literally, and voting for Carlos Santana or Buster Posey or whomever.

by Vlad on Feb 22, 2012 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

Make that D’Arnaud or Mesoraco or whomever – my brain skipped right past the “prospect” bit.

(No biggie. It’s not like it was the whole point of the question, or anything…)

by Vlad on Feb 22, 2012 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

haha, i bet not all 5 votes though... although tht'd be funny

i’m very open to the idea that Sanchez isn’t the best minor league catcher, i like him less than quite a few people here, and I always like good bats. I haven’t seen much at all of Cabrera or Paulino and all I’ve seen on Sanchez has been on Youtube, so I’m really curious to hear from someone comparing them, or what BA might have had to say that Drufan and Roberto implied above.

by BurgherKing on Feb 22, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Fryer?

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 22, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

ah yeah

forgot about him, but sure that’s an option too… did you vote fryer?

by BurgherKing on Feb 22, 2012 7:33 PM EST up reply actions

nah

I didn’t vote, but I’m about to vote Sanchez.

Not actually affiliated with whygavs.

by WHYG Zane Smith on Feb 22, 2012 8:04 PM EST up reply actions

I’m not going to suggest there isn’t reason for serious pessimism about Sanchez’s future, given his injury history and last season, but he’s still only a few strong months away from being the Pirates’ starting catcher. He’ll probably need a full year-plus in the minors still, but he’s far enough along developmentally that if he makes some adjustments at the plate, stays healthy, and hits like he did two years ago, he’s back on the relevancy map.

Cabrera is still a much longer shot to contribute to the Pirates than Sanchez. I’m minimally educated about Paulino, but part of my small knowledge base on him is that he, too, is miles away from Sanchez’s developmental stage and doesn’t have any special kind of upside.

Sanchez probably isn’t going to be the Yadier Molina we all wanted, but I’d take a Bengie Molina, too.

No jinx no jinx no jinx.

by Suffering Buc on Feb 22, 2012 6:06 PM EST reply actions