THE worst Defensive Catcher I've ever seen

[NorthsideAvenger]

 

Barrett is no gold glover, but out of all the NL catchers right now, he's the one I'd want on my team.

 

No kidding. His catching ability is just bad. He sets up too late, he hops around before the pitch, and he has a tendency to lunge instead of block.

 

That said, the Cubs need all the offense they can get.

 

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You are overstating Barrett's weakness. Todd Hundley was bad as a catcher, but Barrett---while he won't be confused with Hank White---is still at least serviceable.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Have you been talking to the guy who says Cedeno is plainly Crap. You guys should meet.

 

Don't be a jackass.

[CubinNY]

 

Barrett is no gold glover, but out of all the NL catchers right now, he's the one I'd want on my team.

 

No kidding. His catching ability is just bad. He sets up too late, he hops around before the pitch, and he has a tendency to lunge instead of block.

 

That said, the Cubs need all the offense they can get.

 

-----------

 

You are overstating Barrett's weakness. Todd Hundley was bad as a catcher, but Barrett---while he won't be confused with Hank White---is still at least serviceable.

 

No I'm not overstating his weakness. He does all of those things. Notice I never said he wasn't "servicable", whatever that means. He is a well below average defensive catcher. He has bad footwork behind the plate. His release point is too high when he throws to second, plus the other stuff I mentioned. However, it is worth noting he came up a third baseman and was switched to cather rather late in his career.

[CUBZ99]

 

Barrett is no gold glover, but out of all the NL catchers right now, he's the one I'd want on my team.

 

No kidding. His catching ability is just bad. He sets up too late, he hops around before the pitch, and he has a tendency to lunge instead of block.

 

That said, the Cubs need all the offense they can get.

 

-----------

 

You are overstating Barrett's weakness. Todd Hundley was bad as a catcher, but Barrett---while he won't be confused with Hank White---is still at least serviceable.

 

No I'm not overstating his weakness. He does all of those things. Notice I never said he wasn't "servicable", whatever that means. He is a well below average defensive catcher. He has bad footwork behind the plate. His release point is too high when he throws to second, plus the other stuff I mentioned. However, it is worth noting he came up a third baseman and was switched to cather rather late in his career.

 

I don't think it is any secret that Barrett's defense is bad. If Hendry truly wanted to upgrade defense, you would think catcher would be one of the more important positions to upgrade. Does anybody know what the splits are for the pitchers that pitch to Barrett and the other catcher Blanco/Bako?

 

If his catching adds up to more than 1 ER per 9 innings, wouldn't that mean that he would have to account for at least one run a game on offense to be worth the tradeoff?

[Omar]

I thought he would have awesome defense after that very encouraging off-season workout article about him at Cubs.com... Hopefully it pays off this year.

[dalgreen]

It's amazing how defensive (no pun intended) people get when a player they like gets criticized.

 

Let's remember a certain respected manager once said, "Barrett will never be a major league catcher..." and that was based on his defense and game calling. That manager moved him from behind the plate to third base instead.

[CoolHandLuke]

No that wouldn't be me. I wanted Cedeno to start and get a chance for the last year but nice try by avoiding topic again.

 

Another person who can't actually defend this clown and has to generalize and say something really ridiculous and by trying to lump me in on another completely different topic. Absurd.

 

This is actually quite amusing. Are people defending him cuz he's a Cub? Just curious? It is alright to be realistic about a player on your favorite team, you do know that right?

 

Didn't you previously tell everyone to avoid the topic?

 

let's all just agree as a whole and move onto another topic

[imb]

Barrett is far from a good defensive catcher. Last season after the whole debacle against the phillies or whatever, if i could have punched him in the balls, i would have, but this thread is just the stupid over-reaction that comes after losses and frankly, we should be used to it by now.

[pitchcs]

#2242005CY: Wanna exagerate just a little bit more here? Barrett the worst catcher you've ever seen? Either you haven't watched much baseball in your life or you have no idea what position the catcher actually is.

 

No, he's not a great catcher but I could name a certain Italian in San Diego who is far worse.

[Careless]

wow, I'd figured most everyone had watched varitek catch wakefield. I honestly belive what I'm saying here: I could catch him better than varitek (and there are only a few people in the majors I'd feel comfortabl saying that about)

[waffle]

have you ever watched Leiberthal play? And for all his O Piazza was brutal back there.

 

Barret is serviceable, little else

[chopsx9]

It's early yet but this is the funniest line so far:

 

"if i could have punched him in the balls, i would have"

 

 

Was it a height issue or did the cup get in the way?

[biittner77]

Michael Barrett = Jody Davis

 

I've never been one to blame one player for a loss but if we have to blame someone how about the guy that gave up a HR to the opposing pitcher. I didn't see the game, was it really an 0-2 count?

[BigbadB]

wow, I'd figured most everyone had watched varitek catch wakefield. I honestly belive what I'm saying here: I could catch him better than varitek (and there are only a few people in the majors I'd feel comfortabl saying that about)

 

In Varitek's defense, he hasn't had much opportunity to catch Wakefield. Mirabelli was and has been Wakefield's personal catcher. Catching a knuckleballer is no easy chore, even if you are an outstanding defensive catcher.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

wow, I'd figured most everyone had watched varitek catch wakefield. I honestly belive what I'm saying here: I could catch him better than varitek (and there are only a few people in the majors I'd feel comfortabl saying that about)

 

In Varitek's defense, he hasn't had much opportunity to catch Wakefield. Mirabelli was and has been Wakefield's personal catcher. Catching a knuckleballer is no easy chore, even if you are an outstanding defensive catcher.

 

Varitek made it look like catching a fly with chopsticks. And we all know there's only 2 people who can do that.

[BigbadB]

I didn't see the game, and I'm sure it was pretty hilarious. However, many good defensive catchers who are not used to catching a knuckleballer would probably look pretty much the same given the circumstances.

[gus_dog]

I wish we could get Blanco's defencive prowess, while simultaneously getting Barrett's bat in the lineup! :D

[Guest]

I wish we could get Blanco's defencive prowess, while simultaneously getting Barrett's bat in the lineup! :D

Designated Catcher?

[srbin84]

I wish we could get Blanco's defencive prowess, while simultaneously getting Barrett's bat in the lineup! :D

Designated Catcher?

 

You could actually do that in the AL if you had the pitcher bat.

[Coach C]

He may be worst defensive catcher for some of people, but he's a damn good hitter, and a clutch one at that.

[TB_11]

He may be worst defensive catcher for some of people, but he's a damn good hitter, and a clutch one at that.

 

He had a pretty good game today behind the plate as well. That steal to Rolen was tough, but aside from that he did his job on defensive.

 

The GS caused me to scream into the phone while I was trying to book a hotel.

[badger1679666666]

I knew this tread was going to get bumped.

 

:lol:

[Garwilly]

Your 2005 and 2006 Silver SLugger.....

[BigbadB]

That steal to Rolen was tough

 

I kinda felt like that base was stolen on Williamson more than it was stolen on Barrett. But, Williamson picked him off anyway, so moot point.

[srbin84]

I'm officially retiring from criticizing Barrett's D. The dude can flat out rake.