What's the scoop on Fox Defensively These Days?

[craig]

Tim and others, what are your impressions of where Fox is at defensively these days? I know his report back at draft and during his first spring training wasn't very favorable. But I thought the spring training talk was much more favorable, and he's seemed to be doing fine at least as regards to PB and SB/CS thus far this year.

 

Is his defense a serious liability, a mild liability (say, Barrett-scale or less...?), or really no problem at all?

 

The way he's hitting these days, it makes you think that if his defense was actually good, you'd have a big-time prospect in hand. And if his defense is average or not far shy, he might hit so well that he'd still be a pretty useful prospect. Here's hoping his defense won't hold him back.

[RyCubsFan]

Good question, Craig.

 

I remember that the reports from this spring training were very positive about his defense, which really made me start to get excited about him as a prospect.

 

The man can hit, that's for sure.

[rawaction]

Tim and others, what are your impressions of where Fox is at defensively these days? I know his report back at draft and during his first spring training wasn't very favorable. But I thought the spring training talk was much more favorable, and he's seemed to be doing fine at least as regards to PB and SB/CS thus far this year.

 

Is his defense a serious liability, a mild liability (say, Barrett-scale or less...?), or really no problem at all?

 

The way he's hitting these days, it makes you think that if his defense was actually good, you'd have a big-time prospect in hand. And if his defense is average or not far shy, he might hit so well that he'd still be a pretty useful prospect. Here's hoping his defense won't hold him back.

 

I'd say the impression I'm getting is similar to Barrett. Not as athletic as Barrett, but probably anywhere from average to slightly below average defensively. It's not at the point where his defense will hold him back at all. He would be a solid backup catcher, maybe as soon as 2007.

[Guest]

Tim and others, what are your impressions of where Fox is at defensively these days? I know his report back at draft and during his first spring training wasn't very favorable. But I thought the spring training talk was much more favorable, and he's seemed to be doing fine at least as regards to PB and SB/CS thus far this year.

 

Is his defense a serious liability, a mild liability (say, Barrett-scale or less...?), or really no problem at all?

 

The way he's hitting these days, it makes you think that if his defense was actually good, you'd have a big-time prospect in hand. And if his defense is average or not far shy, he might hit so well that he'd still be a pretty useful prospect. Here's hoping his defense won't hold him back.

I haven't seen him so far this year, so my first hand info is out of date.

 

What I've heard is that his biggest weakness back there was periodic lapses where he simply didn't catch the ball. I don't know if he's just focusing better or if it may yet crop up again. Dropping easy pitches is the kind of thing that will earn a catcher a poor defensive rep in a hurry, though. I think his throwing has been okay to good ever since he's been in the system. He's not a young Benito Santiago as far as his agility and receiving behind the plate, but I haven't heard that described as a major liability, either. He seems to work well with the pitchers, though I haven't heard him described as being a leader like Richie (his rep from the draft -- I haven't heard anything recent on him, at all).

 

In short, I don't think there's any real plus to his game behind the plate, but I don't think there's any major weaknesses as long as the ball stays in the glove.

[RyCubsFan]

I'd say the impression I'm getting is similar to Barrett. Not as athletic as Barrett, but probably anywhere from average to slightly below average defensively. It's not at the point where his defense will hold him back at all. He would be a solid backup catcher, maybe as soon as 2007.

 

 

Why just a backup? His bat shows more promise than that.

 

Or do you mean a backup to Barrett until his contract is up...then becoming a starter?

[rawaction]

I'd say the impression I'm getting is similar to Barrett. Not as athletic as Barrett, but probably anywhere from average to slightly below average defensively. It's not at the point where his defense will hold him back at all. He would be a solid backup catcher, maybe as soon as 2007.

 

 

Why just a backup? His bat shows more promise than that.

 

Or do you mean a backup to Barrett until his contract is up...then becoming a starter?

 

The latter. I think he will eventually become a starting catcher in the majors.

[Vinestal]

It would be nice to have someone that can hit backing up Barrett, I mean Blanco is a good defensive catcher but his bat is a liability. I was impressed with Fox the one game I have seen him this year, but he was DHing so I didnt get to see him behind the plate.