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This time let's make our guesses for the catcher position. Make your predictions for J.P. Arencibia, Jeff Mathis and whoever else you think might catch a game or two.
Arencibia's rookie season started pretty well, he had an .862 OPS in April and a .781 OPS in May, but he took a foul ball off the thumb and only OPSed .582 in June. Playing through injuries might be admirable, but sometimes it would be better to go on the DL and heal up properly. We had a reasonable back up in Jose Molina, two weeks off may have made all the difference in his season.
Here's JP's numbers:
| Year | Age | Tm | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 24 | TOR | 11 | 37 | 35 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | .143 | .189 | .343 | .532 |
| 2011 | 25 | TOR | 129 | 486 | 443 | 47 | 97 | 20 | 4 | 23 | 78 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 133 | .219 | .282 | .438 | .720 |
| 2 Seasons | 140 | 523 | 478 | 50 | 102 | 21 | 4 | 25 | 82 | 1 | 1 | 38 | 144 | .213 | .275 | .431 | .706 | ||
| 162 Game Avg. | 162 | 605 | 553 | 58 | 118 | 24 | 5 | 29 | 95 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 167 | .213 | .275 | .431 | .706 | ||
This year, we don't have such a good back up. Jeff Mathis hit .174/.225/.259 in 247 at bats, last year. Unfortunately, those aren't far off his career numbers. JP, you know what I said about not playing through injuries, forget it. This year, play through everything. Broken leg, play. Missing limb, play.
Very rarely does a team make it through a season using just 2 catchers (though the Jays were able to do it last year). With Travis d'Arnaud on the 40-man roster, I'd imagine, at very least, he will get some time in as a September call up. I'm thinking he is sure to get some at bats.
My guess, JP plays 140 games, hits .240/.315/.470, 29 home runs, 92 RBI.
Mathis gets into 30 games, 100 at bats. Hits .200/.230/..270. (yes I'm being overly hopeful that he doesn't get to play much).
Travis 15 games, 60 at bats. .250/.330/.400.