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The Spot Starters » Blog Archive » Back-Up Blues
Covering the ups and downs of the Detroit Tigers.

Back-Up Blues

August 5th, 2009 Posted in 2009 Season, Alex Avila, Dane Sardinha, Gerald Laird, Matt Treanor

Who would have thought that back up catcher would be such a hot-botton topic this season.  The Tigers picked up both Matt Treanor and Gerald Laird to play catcher before the season started, and at least half of that tandem has worked out.

The Tigers called up prospect Alex Avila from AA to play back up catcher and Dusty Ryan was sent right back down to where he came from.

I think it may be a bit quick for Avila to get the call, Ian said it reminded him a bit of the Cameron Maybin call up, but here’s a depressing look at the Tigers catchers other than Laird:

  • Dane Sardinha: 12 games, .097/.091/.129, 16 strikeouts in 31 at-bats, -43 OPS+
  • Matt Treanor: 4 games, .000/.071/.000, -79 OPS+
  • Dusty Ryan: 11 games, .160/.276/.200, 11 strikeouts in 25 at-bats, 28 OPS+

Avila has posted decent numbers in the minors but I just don’t see the point in rushing the guy.  He has spent the entire season at AA Erie and is hitting .265 with 12 HR in 93 games.  Avila hits from the left side, which is obviously a bonus, but the guy has 542 minor league at-bats since he was drafted by the Tigers.  Granted, he did go to college, so he is 22 years old.

We could see the young fella in a game as early as tonight.  I guess he can’t do any worse that the trio that went before him.

BallHype: hype it up!

  1. 3 Responses to “Back-Up Blues”

  2. By Sean Heyboer on Aug 5, 2009

    I see no reason for a call-up. Why take at-bats away from him? Ugh. Frustration.

    -s
    trumbullandmichigan.com

  3. By JAY RC on Aug 6, 2009

    Well on a brighter note the pre mature move cannot yield much worse numbers….right? I just wish Avila would have been given more time to develope but hey lets see what the kid has got i guess. Finishnig the season with Sardinha would be far worse! Its actualy the Lambert move that has me scratching my head. Zach Simmons was solid in Lakeland, near perfect in Spring Training and has been solid in the minors this season. Plus he was our reward for trading Jason Grilli…ENOUGH SAID! Lambert has been pretty bad in Detroit before so why not call up Simmons? Afterall Zach is already on the 40 man roster.

    Oh Well….

  4. By Jimbo on Aug 15, 2009

    Jay and Sean - how do you feel about Avila now? Small sample size, but tearing it up. Not such a bad start. Looks like he may be ready.

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