Barrett puts in a lot of effort

[DiamondMind]

From Cubs.com:

 

Lilly (1-0), one of the free-agent acquisitions in the Cubs' $300 million offseason spending spree, was facing the Reds and pitching at Great American Ball Park for the first time in his career. He fooled them, walking one and falling just one shy of posting his ninth double-digit strikeout game.

 

The left-hander said he relied on catcher Michael Barrett and pitching coach Larry Rothschild for help, but Barrett laughed when told that.

 

"I spent all night and all day today studying his film and what he did last year, and I'm not taking any credit," Barrett said. "He obviously was lights out, great pitches, and he shook me off quite a bit. I did study as much as I can."

 

----I don't know the lengths that other catchers go to, but I believe Barrett takes nothing for granted and puts in that extra effort. There's been other various quotes throughout his time with the Cubs about Barrett being thankful of the place he has with the team, and the opportunity he's been given. I just really like the guy, his attitude, and the humbleness he plays with on a daily basis. Plus he punched AJ Eyechart right in the grill.

 

Three cheers for Michael

[AllStarMe]

Len and Bob commented on how much work M-Bar has been putting into improving his defense, and I recall he made some pretty nice blocks in spring games I saw. If he can bring his defense up to league averge or even plus, he'll be much more of an asset to this club.

 

You won't see the bobbleheads on ESPN give him much due, but Barrett scores high on all the intangibles they fawn so hard over- Grit ratio, Moxie average, Toughness rating...

 

I can't quantify it but I knows it when I sees it.

[sunnydoo]

The reason he doesnt get much credit behind the plate is twofold.

 

First, he isnt very good at throwing out runners. 19.1% last year is just awful. Sure, the pitching staff is culpable also, but that is atrocious. And he never has been good at it, even in Montreal. 25% is about the best you can expect from him over the course of a 110 game stretch as catcher. Like Brantley said tonight, the scouting report on Barrett is run, run, and run some more.

 

Second reason is that he is a converted SS. Some people have a problem with transplants at certain positions. And this is one of those cases. The old school believes catchers should be born and bred at that position.

 

Although i am not a barrett defensive fan, i will say he isnt as bad as he used to be. i can remember his first year as a cub. i thought we had traded for a matador behind the plate. At least it takes quite an effort by Wood or Zman to wiz one by him these days.

 

His hitting, team mechanics, and handling the pitching staff (which he does well) are all pluses that help to negate the defense somewhat. I really felt that if ARam had left, they should have moved Michael back to 3b and went shopping for a C.

[Tracer Bullet]

His hitting, team mechanics, and handling the pitching staff (which he does well) are all pluses that help to negate the defense somewhat.

 

"Help negate the defense somewhat"? He's one of the best hitting catchers in the league. I'm not nearly smart enough to quantify "team mechanics" and "handling the pitching staff." But he's been nothing short of great as an offensive catcher for this team. There is just no way that whatever defensive problems he has outweigh what he brings to the table offensively.

[Andy]

If he puts up another .900+ OPS I view any defense he gives us as icing on the cake. He's a great player and I want him around as long as he continues producing.

[CubColtPacer]

If he puts up another .900+ OPS I view any defense he gives us as icing on the cake. He's a great player and I want him around as long as he continues producing.

 

Technically, Barrett has never had a .900 OPS (except for 23 at-bats in his first year, high of .885 after that). His offense still is worth a lot more than any deficiencies he has on defense though, especially because he's not terrible behind the plate, just not great.