Colon faces hitters on the back field
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Feb 22, 2011 
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After a few team defense drills — fly balls, relay throws, backing up in foul territory — the Yankees latest live batting practice sessions have started up.
On the main field, it’s Freddy Garcia. On the back field, it’s Bartolo Colon. I chose the back field, if only out of curiosity. I had no idea what to expect, but I’ll say this.
I thought Colon looked pretty good.
Russel Martin took him deep to left, but Colon seemed to have legitimate zip on his fastball. When he missed, he seemed to miss low. That’s just an observation from the sideline, and I could be completely wrong, but I came away feeling like Colon was more legitimate than I originally thought.
Well, that’s a nice wrinkle, isn’t it?
One live BP isn’t enough to sway me one way or another on Colon – but I do think that this decision could go down to the wire.
Reading the NY Times sports section over lunch – Kepner has a nice story on Brian McCann. I knew he was a good player, but not this good – 5 AS teams, 4 Silver Slugger awards. That’s pretty good.
GB7 – you ever see him play?
MCann is a stud….2nd best catcher in baseball and could challenge for the best if the 2009 Mauer was an outlier.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:27 pm
MCann is a stud….2nd best catcher in baseball and could challenge for the best if the 2009 Mauer was an outlier.
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I would love to see what McCann could do if he had any offensive support.
I kind of like the unfolding stories that comprise the back end of the rotation.
Joe, never have seen McCann play live, except on TV. what’s not to like. outstanding hitter and with power, runs well “for a catcher” and outstanding defensive catcher. I rate him right there with Mauer as the best in baseball.
Chip,
You’ll see it soon with the addition of Uggla and with Heyward having a full season under his belt…..Heyward will be the best player in that division soon.
McCann is an outstanding defensive catcher?Since when? He’s no whiz behind the plate,but he sure can hit.He’s not in Mauer’s class by any stretch,but few are.
Braves can make some noise in that division soon, not sure about this year but you never know…especially if the Phils run into some injuries
If Mauer is going to hit 8 homers a season then Mcann certainly is in his class and he is a pretty good defender and good game caller…..let’s say this, Montero may have more offensive upside but if he turns out to be Brian Mcann Ill be very happy.
The Braves will be better than the Phillies possibly as early as 2012 and will give them a much better fight than folks think this year.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Chip,
You’ll see it soon with the addition of Uggla and with Heyward having a full season under his belt…..Heyward will be the best player in that division soon.
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Possibly – I’ll stick with Han Ram over Heyward though.
Colon creating a tough decision for the Yankees brass because he is pitching really well would be a great problem to have.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:39 pm
The Braves will be better than the Phillies possibly as early as 2012 and will give them a much better fight than folks think this year.
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I really think in a year or two the Nationals will be the team to beat in that division.
Everyone on the Phillies is already in their 30s.
If Stras comes back healthy and the kid they drafted last year is the goods; I think they wind up with Prince Fielder next winter – if they add one more big pitcher to that rotation and they’re going to be on their way
The Phillies’ window should be more than two years, Chip.
The Braves will probably always be good because they’re run well.
UnKnown February 22nd, 2011 at 12:42 pm
Colon creating a tough decision for the Yankees brass because he is pitching really well would be a great problem to have.
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Let’s not put the cart before the horse is born – one good session of batting practice is a long way from pitching well for a game or two.
Hanley is 6 years older than Heyward…..I wouldn’t be shocked if Heyward puts up better offensive numbers than him as early as this year..
Colon not surprising. They would not have invited him if they didn’t see he still had something in winter ball.
Does anyone have a gun on these guys in the bp or facing live hitters? It would be interesting to hear some velocities. Not that they are in top form yet.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:46 pm
Hanley is 6 years older than Heyward…..I wouldn’t be shocked if Heyward puts up better offensive numbers than him as early as this year..
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Neither would I but that’s mostly because in looking at the Marlins’ roster I can’t think of a single reason to pitch to HanRam this season.
The Braves pitching is already good and they have Teheran and Minor coming to go along with Hanson, and Jair. The Phillies have a great rotation now but 3 of the big 4 are in the mid 30s and Hamels is about to hit free agency. Their lineup is also old besides Brown…..and Brown while a good prospect, is no Jason Heyward.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 pm
If Mauer is going to hit 8 homers a season then Mcann certainly is in his class and he is a pretty good defender and good game caller…..let’s say this, Montero may have more offensive upside but if he turns out to be Brian Mcann Ill be very happy.
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yea,like I said, he can hit.He’s no great defender behind the plate.that’s just not right.
Mauer’s power failures are from being hurt the last couple yrs,certainly by the time we got to him.in 2009,his throws to second sailed over the base into CF and his back was acting up.the yanks would do well to give Montero a blow from catching from time to time.we don’t want him similarly worn down over the yrs from catching.
“Reading the NY Times sports section over lunch – Kepner has a nice story on Brian McCann. I knew he was a good player, but not this good – 5 AS teams, 4 Silver Slugger awards. That’s pretty good’
Excellent ballplayer. May well be challenged by Posey for NL supremacy among catchers, but he’s really good. Still pretty young too. Turned 27 a couple days ago.
J alfred,
Yea he is pretty good back there. He’s not Yadier but he’s average at the very least and works great with pitchers. He’s really good.
I mean we can say Mauer’s power outage last season was due to inury but when you look at his career numbers…..2009 is clearly the outlier, not the other way around.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:51 pm
J alfred,
Yea he is pretty good back there. He’s not Yadier but he’s average at the very least and works great with pitchers. He’s really good.
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we disagree.McCann’s throws to 2nd drift into right field,doesn’t block the ball that well,reluctant to block the plate,just does not belong in the same sentence defensively as Joe Mauer.for some reason,he gets the nod as a good defensive catcher,which he isn’t.he’s got an unusually potent bat for a catcher,so to me that’s what is important.
blake February 22nd, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I mean we can say Mauer’s power outage last season was due to inury but when you look at his career numbers…..2009 is clearly the outlier, not the other way around.
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I tend to agree – Mauer’s more Tony Gwynn than Albert Pujols
Well he doesn’t have Mourneau like power,that’s for sure.But his power has been hampered because he’s always got some back problem.it’s the life of a catcher.I really expect Jorge to kill it now that he’s relieved of getting beat up back there every day.No offense,but I have to chuckle how built up other people’s catchers are defensively and how run down by yankee fans in general Posada has been over the yrs. McCann is not some big defensive upgrade over Jorge when JoPo was younger.
Ledger_Yankees Hank says he made a bad choice of words. Was making general statement about the team. Not targeting Jeter.
Just want to add,Jorge has a much better arm than McCann.
BryanHoch Jeter said earlier you can’t assume it was about him. Now: “I guess I was right”
Chip, Yeah I am not purposing a trip to Monument Park just yet for Colon either.
Jeter just laughed off Hank’s comments,& you get a sense of how he’s viewed by the players.Little rich boy who shoots his mouth off just because he can.Not one of these guys,who have spent their lives honing their craft and working for their mansions,cares what some guy choking on a cigaret all day has to say.
The Yanks think its funny.
Maybe some of you should stop taking it so serious.
Oh man Colon goes on Saturday. Well we will see what the Big Fella has early on then.
Was hoping for a more notable Yankee to go on my B-Day. But Yankee baseball to watch in general is good for me.
Carl.
Exactly.
Some folks act as if he called Jeter Bin Laden.
The games can’t come soon enough.
I’m not a fan of tall catchers I think back problems are likely. Joe Mauer is 6’5 and Montero is 6’4.
A few examples:
Pudge Rodriguez – 5’9″ (20 years)
Yogi Berra – 5’7″ (19 years)
Johnny Bench – 6’1″ (17 years)
give Hank Steinbrenner credit for admitting that a mistake in wording by him was the cause of the talk. Not something that was part of GMS’ make-up. He might correct a mistake in judgement, but, he’d never admit to it publicly. Maybe a few of the folks in here and the media might follow suit and admit that they shoot their mouths off, too.
Montero should catch.they just have to give him breaks & keep him as fresh as they can.He’s much more valuable to them behind the plate,especially if they can manage the grind by given him breaks at DH.