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Thole Vision

Edgy DC Jul 16 2011 11:23 AM

How do you feel about Josh Thole? Is he progressing? Is he progressing enough? Does he have a future? Does he have a present?

MFS62 Jul 16 2011 12:38 PM Re: Thole Vision

He doesn't seem to be progressing over last year, when he showed an excellent approach at the plate - Wait deep into the count, the hit the ball where its pitched. He seems to be doing the same things this year, without the results of last year. Maybe he will follow in the footsteps of a similar major league catcher who taught that approach to others - Charlie Lau. Its tough to evavuate his defensive progress, since he's been catching a knuckleballer. Later

Edgy DC Jul 16 2011 01:14 PM Re: Thole Vision

I'm not sure, but I think a backslide while getting used to the rigors of steady work at the big league level is to be expected. Prorgress will come, if it does, in fits and starts. Todd Hundley took five years to turn the corner as a big league hitter. He took four to hit as well as Thole. It's disappointing, but I wonder if this is simply what a rookie catcher tends to look like, and the disappointment stands out more in a depeleted lineup.

Ceetar Jul 16 2011 01:19 PM Re: Thole Vision

Edgy DC wrote: I'm not sure, but I think a backslide while getting used to the rigors of steady work at the big league level is to be expected. Prorgress will come, if it does, in fits and starts. Todd Hundley took five years to turn the corner as a big league hitter. He took four to hit as well as Thole. It's disappointing, but I wonder if this is simply what a rookie catcher tends to look like, and the disappointment stands out more in a depeleted lineup. Initially I started to wonder if he took for granted the progress he made as a catcher last year as "I've made it" and stopped working as hard at the learning aspect of it, especially after having a good spring training. I've been somewhat encouraged the last two months or so, but at this point I'm not ready to say I'm 'sold' on him being the catcher next year. I'd like to see him maintain closer to what he's done the last two months (and be the guy we kinda thought he would be) for the rest of the season. If the Mets do indeed fall out of it, I'd really like him to get more of the starts against lefties too, and more of Pelfrey's starts.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 16 2011 03:33 PM Re: Thole Vision

If I had to guess, he's challenged with learning to handle a pitching staff every day, and as a result, his approach at the plate has suffered. He really needs to drive the ball a little, find the gaps, get some xtra bases. I thought he was plainly the worst catcher in the league earlier this year but he's come a long a little and I'm not sure I'd say that anymore. Maybe some of that is Paulinoi as his partner than Nickeas. Still needs development but I suspect the Mets will only give it as long as someone else doesn't offer a catcher in this upcoming sale.

smg58 Jul 17 2011 08:35 AM Re: Thole Vision

Thole will give you a very good OBP for a catcher, but he has below-average defense and zero power. To me, he's a backup on a good team. From a trade perspective, I know the Reds have a very good ML-ready catching prospect in Devin Mesoraco, but they're starting to fall behind in the NL Central and I'm not sure how wiling they are to make a deal.