Pirate 1999 Scouting Report - Catchers

Last Updated 6 January 1999

On November 20, 1998, Mark Jareb (lshark@akula.com) posted the following to the Pirate e-mail list. I have edited it and included it here with his permission.

Index: | Pirates | Nashville | Altoona | Lynchburg | Hickory | Williamsport | GCL | Projections |
Pirates
Jason Kendall: 25-6/26/74; #1 '92; Torrance HS (Ca)
C, R-R, 6-0 190
In 1998, Jason was the 2nd most productive catcher on offense in the majors, and for the Bucs, he was clearly the team's MVP. Defensively, his rate of throwing out runners was a little below average, but he generally has gotten good reviews for his handling of the pitching staff. At bat, he particularly killed lefties in '98, and he's hitting for much greater power against them. In the next year or two, I expect that he'll show a power surge against RHP and surprise some folks with his Home Run numbers. He's signed through 2001; (though I expect the Bucs will attempt another extension as soon as the future of the ballpark issue is decided) $1.5M('99), $2.0M('00), and $3.0M('01). He's definitely the starting catcher for the Bucs for the next 3 years.
Previous Kendall reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
92 R    111  29   2  0  0   8   9   2  2   261/317/279
93 A    366 101  17  4  1  22  30   8  5   276/325/352
94 A+   371 118  19  2  7  47  21  14  3   318/406/437
   AA    47  11   2  0  0   2   3   0  0   234/294/277
95 AA   429 140  26  1  8  56  22  10  7   326/414/448
96 PIT  414 124  23  5  3  35  30   5  2   300/372/401  295/371/410 301/372/399
97 PIT  486 143  36  4  8  49  53  18  6   294/391/434  297/374/465 294/395/426
98 PIT  535 175  36  3 12  51  51  26  5   327/411/473  372/443/612 313/401/429

Keith Osik: 30-10/22/68; #24 '90; LSU
C/3B/2B, R-R, 6-0 190

Osik goes into '99 as Kendall's backup for the 4th straight year. One possibility for '99 is that the Bucs could carry an extra catcher on the 25-man roster allowing Osik to see more playing time as a utility infielder. In '97 and '98, he saw a few games of action at 3B and 2B -- considering that he was converted from a 3B to C in the middle of '92, he appears to be capable defensively in the infield. An adequate catcher defensively, his main asset, his bat, appears to have been adversely affected by his irregular playing time (since Kendall reasonably gets the lion's share of PT catching). Though extra PT may help Keith's hitting numbers, I doubt that the Bucs will have room on the roster for a third catcher, so about the only way he'll see more PT is if Lamont is more willing to have both catchers on the field at the same time. Keith is in the 2nd year of a 3-year contract ($350K in '99 and $400K in '00). Most reports at the time of the expansion draft had Osik protected when Joe Randa was selected. In retrospect, considering how limited Osik's PT has been, plus his below average production, the Bucs might have been better off protecting Randa.
Previous Osik reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
90 A-    97  27   4  0  1  11  12   2  6   278/354/351
91 AA    43  13   3  1  0   5   5   0  0   302/375/419
   A+   300  81  13  1  6  38  48   2  3   270/356/380
92 AA   425 110  17  1  5  52  69   2  9   259/357/339
93 AA   371 105  21  2 10  30  47   0  2   283/350/431
94 AAA  260  55  16  0  5  28  41   0  1   212/294/331
95 AAA  301 101  25  1 10  21  42   2  2   336/384/525  325/         339/
96 PIT  140  41  14  1  1  14  22   1  0   293/361/429  261/414/435  299/349/427
   A-    10   3   1  0  0   1   2   0  0   300/417/400
97 PIT  105  27   9  1  0   9  21   0  1   257/322/362  375/474/438  236/292/348
98 PIT   98  21   4  0  0  13  16   1  2   214/316/255  273/385/318  197/295/237

Tim Laker: was dropped from the 40-man roster this winter. He may not be back with the Bucs in 1999.

Nashville AAA
Tim Edge: 30-10/26/68; #6 '90; Auburn U.
C, R-R, 6-0 210
Edge was resigned as a minor league free agent for '98 and again filled in as the backup catcher at AAA. Clearly not a very good hitter, he's likely been kept around for his defensive abilities. With Laker (or a free agent) around as the likely primary AAA catcher, I doubt they'll resign Edge.
Previous Edge reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
90 A-   149  32   5  0  1  19  27   4  3   215/310/268
91 A+   298  67  16  2  6  44  67   4  2   225/334/352
92 AA     9   1   0  0  0   2   5   0  0   111/273/111
   A+   216  39   5  1  6  21  55   3  2   181/267/296
93 AAA    2   0   0  0  0   0   0   0  0   000/000/000
   AA   160  35   8  0  3  11  41   1  2   219/273/325
94 A     29   9   3  0  0   3   5   0  0   310/375/414
   AA    20   3   1  0  0   1   9   0  0   150/190/200
   AAA   18   4   2  0  0   1   4   0  0   222/263/333
95 AA   126  27   5  0  4  10  33   0  0   214/270/349
96 AAA   36  12   3  0  2   2   9   0  0   333/368/583
   AA   153  37  10  0  4  16  44   1  0   242/320/386
97 AAA  187  44  13  2  3  13  50   0  2   235/302/374
98 AAA  144  36   4  2  4   7  34   2  2   250/289/389  294/321/333 226/273/419
The Bucs have signed Chris Tremie and Mel Rosario to minor league deals -- those are the two catchers that I expect will be at AAA along with Steve Bieser (who is listed in the OF report).

Mel Rosario: 26-5/25/73; NDFA '92; Bonoa, DR
C, B-R 6-2 200

Rosario was signed as a minor league free agent this offseason and looks to be the better choice of the two candidates for injury insurance at AAA. Primarily thought of as a defensive catcher, he's hit decently at AA the last couple of years (OK BA and OK power) and even got a cup of coffee in '97. Still, with only a little over 100 AB's at AAA or higher, he's relatively inexperienced compared to Chris Tremie or Tim Laker. I think Rosario is slated for Nashville in '99, though if both Laker and Tremie are around, then he'll probably start the year at Altoona. 
	 AB  H  2B 3B HR BB  SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP       vs RHP
92 A 
93 A 
95 A 
96 A+  196  61 12 1 13 24  53  5  0 311/410/582
   AA  162  34 10 0  2  6  43  3  2 210/257/309
   AAA   2   0  0 0  0  0   1  0  0 000/000/000
97 AA  430 113 26 1 12 27 106  4  7 263/317/412
   MLB   3   0  0 0  0  0   1  0  0 000/000/000
98 AAA 113  28  4 0  3  6  24  5  2 248/289/363 222/300/400  256/283/337
   AA  130  35  5 4  5  9  31  2  1 269/326/485 200/226/367  289/346/491

Chris Tremie: 29-10/17/69; #39 '92; U. of Houston
C, R-R, 6-0 200

Signed by the Bucs as a minor league free agent this offseason, Tremie is historically a poor hitter who is solid defensively. He's never cracked a 600 OPS in the minors ever. He'll be in Nashville in '99. 
	 AB  H  2B 3B HR BB  SO SB CS BA/OBP/SLG vs LHP       vs RHP
92 A or lower
93 A or lower
94 AA  302 68 13  0  2 17  44  4  1 225/278/288 
95 MLB  24  4  0  0  0  1   2  0  0 167/200/167
   AAA 190 38  4  0  2 13  37  0  0 200/259/253
96 AAA 215 47 10  1  0 18  48  2  0 219/282/274
97 AA  295 60 11  1  2 36  61  0  5 203/296/268 
98 MLB   3  1  1  0  0  1   1  0  0 333/500/667
   AAA 247 55 10  0  0 24  47  1  1 223/303/263
Altoona AA
Craig Wilson: 22-11/30/76; #2 '95(Tor); Marina HS (CA)
C, R-R, 6-2 195
Surprisingly, Wilson began the '98 season at Lynchburg again, though that may have been due to a nagging elbow injury that had him occasionally DH'ing and playing 1B. He still was able to get in 70+ games behind the plate between Lynchburg and Carolina. He hit even better after getting promoted to AA and continued to exhibit good power while upping his BA considerably. Initially slated for the Arizona Fall League, he had reconstructive elbow surgery on September 11th meaning he won't be ready to catch until midseason '99. However, he'll likely see action as a DH earlier in '99. When he's fully healthy I expect he'll be back at AA. He wasn't added to the 40-man for the Rule V draft -- I was surprised that another team didn't pick and keep him on a minor league rehab assignment most of '99 rather than the MLB active roster.
Previous Wilson reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS   BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP       vs RHP
95 R+   184  52  14  1  7  24  41   8  2  283/367/484
96 A    495 129  27  5 11  32 120  17 11  261/316/402
97 A+   401 106  26  1 19  39  98   6  5  264/358/476
98 A+   219  59  12  2 12  22  53   2  1  269/348/507
   AA   148  49  11  0  5  14  32   4  1  331/399/507  339/387/482 326/406/522

Jon Sweet: 27-11/10/71; #19 '94; Ohio St. U.
C, L-R, 6-0 183

Sweet is a singles hitter who doesn't walk or hit for power or a good BA. Using Nichol's Law of Catcher Defense, he must be a defensive whiz. For '99, he may be the backup at AAA, though if the Bucs sign a minor league FA, he'll likely begin the year at AA biding time until Craig Wilson's elbow heals fully.
Previous Sweet reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
94 A-   154  39   8  0  0  17  20   0  3   253/345/305
95 A    267  76   9  1  1  18  31   5  4   285/339/337
96 A+   212  58  10  0  0  17  26   2  4   274/329/321
   AA    40   4   2  0  0   0   3   0  0   100/100/150
97 AA   273  67  15  1  1  15  20   1  1   245/286/319
98 AAA   43   7   1  0  1   2   9   0  0   163/229/256  077/077/077 200/286/333
   AA   238  54  11  1  2  20  18   1  2   227/297/307  171/250/244 239/307/320

Jose Reyes: 26-5/1/73; FA 2/21/93; Dom Rep
C/P, R-R, 6-1 165

Jose was the roving minor league catcher in '98, filling in at whatever level needed an extra catcher. The other role he played was that of a Spanish- speaking defensive catcher helping out our upcoming Spanish-speaking pitching prospects. In his roving role, he actually hit for pretty good power at whichever level he played. It's probably likely he'll fill that role once again in '99, though it also wouldn't surprise me if he became a coach. My guess is that he'll start '99 at Altoona until Wilson is healthy enough to catch.
Previous Reyes reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
91 DSL   76  22   4  2  0  13   8   -  -   289/393/395
92 DSL  129  29   2  0  2  19  20   -  -   225/324/287
93 DSL   88  30   9  0  5  21  14   -  -   341/468/614
94 R     30   8   1  1  0  10   5   -  -   267/450/367
   A     14   4   2  0  0   3   4   -  -   286/444/429
95 A-   Pitched at Erie
96 A    Pitched at Augusta
97 A-    33   5   0  0  1   2   6   0  0   152/200/242
   A+     5   0   0  0  0   0   2   0  0   000/000/000
   R     32  11   2  1  0   1   5   1  0   344/353/469
98 A     69  18   2  3  3   6  15   0  1   261/320/507
   AAA    3   2   1  0  0   0   1   0  0   667/667/1.0  1.0/1.0/1.0 500/500/1.0
   A+    54  12   4  0  3   4  17   2  0   222/300/463
   AA    37   7   0  1  2   1   9   1  1   189/211/405  364/364/818 115/148/231
Lynchburg A+ (full season, high)
Yamid Haad: 21-9/2/77; FA 12/8/94; Colombia
C, R-R, 6-2 165
The primary catcher at Lynchburg in '98, he was strong defensively but wasn't as good with the bat. He has modest power, but poor strike zone judgement. Also notable is that he's extremely slow on the basepaths. I expect that he'll steadily move up in the organization because of his defensive abilities; he has shown an above average throwing arm from behind the plate, but his accuracy needs to improve some. His bat could also become at least average as he's shown signs of hitting for a high BA in the past. He got some PT in the Maryland Fall league, though didn't hit very well in limited action. In a surprising move to me, Haad was added to the 40-man roster -- Haad is an OK prospect w/ defense and youth currently his best assets, but there's no reason he needed to be protected for the Rule V draft. He likely will be the primary catcher at AA in '99 particularly until Wilson is healthy.
Previous Haad reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
95 DSL  118  30   1  0  0   9  17   -  -   254/307/263
96 DSL  205  66   9  0  5  10  38   -  -   322/353/439
97 A-   155  45   7  3  1   7  27   3  3   290/310/394
98 A+   299  76   8  2  5  13  54   1  7   254/288/344
   MFL   41   7   3  0  0   2  13   0  1   171/209/244  143/200/214 185/214/259*
Hickory A (full season, low)
Lee Evans: 21-7/20/77; #4 '96, Tuscaloosa,AL(HS)
C, B-R, 6-1 185
Evans had another poor hitting year at Augusta in '98, though overall it was better than his '97 season there. He's dropped to the level of a borderline prospect. Regardless, I think it's important for him to move up to Lynchburg and see what he can do out of the Sally League. Hopefully, he'll begin to exhibit the better power and plate discipline he had at lower levels. I expect he'll be one of the primary catchers at Lynchburg.
Previous Evans reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
96 R    111  31   5  2  3  18  26   3  0   279/394/441
97 A    186  36   9  2  2  14  52   6  3   194/252/296
   A-   141  42   6  0  5  11  30   1  2   298/355/447
98 A    337  75  19  1  5  28  90   6  3   223/285/329

Casey Cloud: 24-5/1/75; #27 '98; UCLA
C, L-R, 6-0 190

Cloud was drafted primarily for his defensive skills even though he lost the starting job at UCLA in his senior year. He knows how to take a walk, but doesn't hit for average and has little power. His favorite team (prior to being drafted by the Bucs) is the Braves; you can find his other likes and dislikes and other more relevant info on his information page from the UCLA website. He probably moves up and takes the backup job at Lynchburg in '99, though a stay in the SAL and action for Hickory would not be a surprise.
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
97NCAA  172  31   8  0  3  29  32   0  1   244/358/343
98NCAA   65  13   5  0  0  13  19   0  0   200/333/277
98 A     91  20   2  0  0  19  24   0  0   220/360/242

Chris Coste: 26-2/4/73; NDFA '98; Concordia College
C, R-R, 6-2 200

Converted to catcher at the beginning of '96, he's been behind the plate for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the Northern League the last 3 years. A Fargo native, he's also moonlighted as the RedHawks' Director of Merchandise. Coste also can play the corner IF positions. He likely replaces Franklin Anderson in the scheme of things. Perhaps he'll be at Hickory in '99, but it's also possible he'll play at higher levels. 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
95 IND   94  24   7  0  0   3  10   2  -   255/278/330
96 IND  315  99  30  0  6  17  56   2  -   314/364/467 
97 IND  337 105  22  0 12  23  53   7  -   312/367/484
98 IND  326 107  17  2 10   -   -   6  -   328/   /485
Williamsport A- (short season)
Diogenes Diaz: 20-10/10/78; FA 9/15/95; Dom Rep
C, R-R, 6-0 190
Diaz started '98 in Augusta but was overmatched and sent back to extended spring training. He played regularly for Erie once their season started and fared alright at the plate. He has decent power potential, and his BB rate is about league average. Defensively, he appears to be adequate. He tends to have bad luck when a Pirates email list member is in attendance -- in the two games he started that list members reported on, he needed to be taken out of the game following a collision at the plate. He will likely be the main catcher at Hickory in '99.
Previous Diaz reports 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
96 R     90  21   7  2  2   5  22   0  0   233/274/422
97 R    111  32   7  0  4   9  30   0  0   288/342/459
   A-    28   5   3  0  0   4  12   0  0   179/273/286
98 A     24   1   0  0  0   3  12   0  0   042/143/042
   A-   131  35   6  0  3  14  35   1  0   267/338/382

Franklin Anderson: 23-9/1/75; #23 '95 (ChiSox); Southern Union State JC (AL)
C, R-R, 6-1 200

In 1997, after being released by the White Sox organization, Anderson played with the Will County Cheetahs of the independent Heartland League. He signed with the Bucs in the '97-'98 offseason. Decent defensively, his bat is below average. He does show signs of decent power potential, but his plate discipline is very poor, and he rarely makes contact with the ball. He might have a career if fellow Pirate list member Erik Johnson could be at every game chastising his hitting -- immediately after Erik said, "he struggles at the plate," Anderson doubled off the left field wall, and hit a line-drive single and a deep flyout in CF his next two at-bats. It's more likely Anderson won't be back next season given the rest of the catchers that played at Erie and Bradenton, though it's possible he wins the backup job at Hickory.
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1995 R+ 153  34   7  1  2   7  52   2  3    222/253/320
1996 A  213  33   5  3  4  10  89   1  2    155/198/263
1997 IND  -   -   -  -  6   -   -   -  -    304/
1998 A   43   9   3  1  0   2  19   0  0    209/255/326
     A-  48   7   3  0  0   2  17   1  0    146/180/208
     A+  12   1   1  0  0   1   3   0  0    083/154/167

Jesse Daggett: 20-7/3/78; D&F #25 '97; College of the Canyons (CA)
C, R-R, 6-4 220

Clearly liked by the Bucs scouting staff, Daggett was drafted by the Bucs in '96 (40th round) as well as in '97 (25th round) and finally signed with them in '98. He hit decently in his first season with a wooden bat and showed pretty good plate discipline. Defensively he looks OK. He'll likely be one of the primary catchers at Hickory in '99. 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1998 A- 165  41  10  1  2  20  31   4  0   248/335/358
Gulf Coast (Rookie League)
Raynier Cardona: 18-8/26/80; #5 '98; San Sebastian, PR (HS)
C, B-R, 5-11 180
Drafted for his defensive abilities, his bat is still a question. He seems to have OK plate discipline which is a good sign. He's the likely front runner as the primary catcher in Williamsport in '99. 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1998 R   65  14   1  1  1   8  13   3  1   215/320/308

David Diaz: 18-7/3/80; #10 '98; Hialeah Lakes-Miami, FL (HS)
C, R-R, 6-1 195

Also drafted more for his defensive skill, based on his PT and performance, Diaz looks to be fairly raw. I'd expect him to be back in Bradenton in '99. 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1998 R   22   5   0  0  0   2  10   0  0   227/292/227

Jose Hernandez: 18-11/3/80; NDFA; Valencia, VEN
C, R-R, 6-1 175

Of the catchers in Bradenton, he was the best with the stick. Depending on his age, he could see some time in Hickory or Williamsport in '99. 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1998 R   41  13   3  0  0   2   6   0  0   317/341/390

Rommel Torres: 20-1/13/79 ; NDFA '96; San Jose, Panama
C, R-R, 6-1 165

He got the most playing time of any catcher in Bradenton. He hit similarly to Cardona -- OK plate discipline, low BA, and little power. He's either in Williamsport or gone. 
 
         AB   H  2B 3B HR  BB  SO  SB CS    BA/OBP/SLG  vs LHP      vs RHP
1998 R   81  18   5  0  0   9  18   1  1   222/308/284
Projections:

Bucs: Kendall Osik
Nashville: Tremie/Rosario Sweet
Altoona: Haad Reyes Wilson
Lynchburg: Evans Cloud
Hickory: Di. Diaz Daggett Coste
Williamsport: Cardona Hernandez Torres
Gulf Coast League: Da. Diaz draft pick

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