Minor League Vet: Mike Rivera
Puerto Rican born Mike Rivera is a 31 year-old Minor League vet who has been in major league system since 1997 when he was signed in 1997. In 10 years he has yet to play an entire season at the major league level, the closest being 46 games with the Brewers in 2006. During that year he was able to surprise fans and scouts by hitting .268/.325/.458, but that didn't help him obtain a roster spot the following year because of the arrival of Johnny Estrada.
The demotion hurt him some as he only batted .215/.270/.421 in Nashville, before returning to Milwaukee during the September call up. Overall, Rivera is a career .239 hitter with an OBP of .285, which is nothing to be proud of, but Rivera is a straight defensive catcher, though his numbers were atrocious in 2006, who has handled our minor league pitchers phenomenally, while helping groom Vinny Rottino for the Majors.
Ultimately, he offers us pretty much nothing, but we'll soon find out that, the remaining candidates don't either.
The Over-rated: Eric Munson
Eric Munson is a 30 year-old left-handed hitting catcher from San Diego California, who has been in and out of the big leagues since 2000, who started in Detroit just like Mike Rivera. He has only had two memorable season, which most people who have heard his name tend to hang on to. In 2003 and 2004, batted only .240 and .212, but he hit 18 and 19 HRs in those years. Sad thing is, his numbers are still awful. Career, Munson has hit .214/.289/.394.
People want to claim that his left-handed bat off the bench makes him a shoe in for the back up spot, but he hits righties worse that Rivera, making the lefty bat a non-issue. As for his throwing arm, it compares to Rivera's and therefore there isn't much of a difference between the two, except Rivera has put more time in with this team.
The Wild Card: Vinny Rottino
I think we all like this kid. If anything, he reminds me of the blue-collar hard working journeymen that made up this Brewers team in the early 80s. He's selfless, scrappy and does all the things you want a baseball player to do and yet, BP doesn't even mention his name in the Brewers Top 11 Prospects this year and Baseball America fails to mention him in their Top 30. Something is fishy and he may surprise some people this camp.
Rottino has reasonable numbers in AAA, which are significantly better than both Munson and Rivera. In 2005 and 2006 Vinny hit .314/.379/.440 and .289/.363/.446 which is damn good. Especially the pitch taking ability, though he has been unable to show that ability in his 24 PA on the big league squad, walking only once. I can't find his fielding numbers at this time.
He's a risk, but he brings some serious versatility, being able to play OF, C and the corner infield positions. I hope he gets a serious look, and if he gets the spot, you can say goodbye to Mike Rivera. We can't get lucky two years in a row on the waiver wire (JD Closser and Mike Rivera cleared last year).
Who's the Answer?
Honestly, the answer isn't all that apparent. You have a higher ceiling with Vinny Rottino, but his pitch calling ability will be in question especially at the major league level. But Jason Kendall could turn this kid into a quality player with his wisdom. The counter argument is simple; your backup catcher's job is to handle your bullpen, to help guys learn the game better and veteran catcher's get you through this better than young guys who don't always get their respect. This is where Munson or Rivera have their chance. Another season in AAA will do Vinny some good and will open the door for more opportunities as the main guy down there. It may make him trade bait.
Spring Training will make a difference. If I had my way, I'd give the 27 year old kid the nod, but I doubt its occurrence. I think Mike Rivera will get the nod unless Yost is so dumb that he thinks Munson's left-handed bat will be beneficial.
No comments:
Post a Comment