Bearacuda
08-11-2008, 10:24 PM
It seems Murphy has gotten most of the Baylor attention this year due to his breakout season and playing in Texas. However, Kelly Shoppach is quietly putting together a good season starting in place of the injured Victor Martinez.
Currently hitting .272 with a .513 slugging percentage and 12 homers.
Glad to see the Bears doing well in the pros.
And for those of you in the metromess, Shoppach and the Indians will be playing in Arlington next weekend. Would be great if Murphy is back by then.
Thought you might enjoy this from the Indians press room:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080804&content_id=3252071&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
What are the chances that we will see more of Victor Martinez at first base than usual when he returns? I know Eric Wedge said he isn't interested in a full-time move, but I think it could be beneficial as we look to find a consistent first-base bat, and it would also allow Kelly Shoppach, to enjoy more playing time, furthering his value as a backup and potentially a trade piece.
-- Cody S., Ashland, Ohio
The chances are pretty good, Cody. Martinez should begin his rehab assignment later this week and be back in the middle of the month. The Indians are going to have to be careful with how much they expose Martinez's elbow to use, and having him play first instead of catching is one way to do so. Having him at designated hitter might be another, although it remains to be seen how much the elbow affects Martinez's swing. He could simply see more days off.
As you mention, a bigger issue is at hand here, and it revolves around the fact that Shoppach is proving himself as a viable starting catcher in the big leagues. Catching talent is increasingly rare in today's game, and while the Indians certainly enjoy the luxury of having a backup of Shoppach's caliber, I can't help but wonder if that's a luxury they might have to consider parting with this offseason, when it comes time to make some trades that improve this ballclub as a whole.
The Indians feel they have quality catching depth down on the farm in Wyatt Toregas, and you have to be intrigued by the switch-hitting Carlos Santana, who was brought aboard in the Casey Blake trade and is likely on the verge of a promotion to Double-A ball.
Maybe that means the Indians consider a deal involving Shoppach this offseason. Or maybe, just maybe, they consider parting with Martinez, as emotionally difficult as that would be.
Hey, maybe they do nothing and keep both. But you have to give up something to get something, and it's become quite clear the Indians have quite a bit on hand in the catching department.
I was wondering how much Shoppach's line, especially slugging percentage, improved after last Wednesday night's game, in which he notched five extra-base hits?
-- Josh H., Marysville, Ohio
Shoppach's slugging percentage rose from .466 to .523, his average went from .254 to .271, and his on-base percentage went from .319 to .336. Just another night at the office, right?
It's also worth noting that Shoppach had as many extra-base hits in that single game as Martinez had in the 31 games before he went on the disabled list.
Currently hitting .272 with a .513 slugging percentage and 12 homers.
Glad to see the Bears doing well in the pros.
And for those of you in the metromess, Shoppach and the Indians will be playing in Arlington next weekend. Would be great if Murphy is back by then.
Thought you might enjoy this from the Indians press room:
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080804&content_id=3252071&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle
What are the chances that we will see more of Victor Martinez at first base than usual when he returns? I know Eric Wedge said he isn't interested in a full-time move, but I think it could be beneficial as we look to find a consistent first-base bat, and it would also allow Kelly Shoppach, to enjoy more playing time, furthering his value as a backup and potentially a trade piece.
-- Cody S., Ashland, Ohio
The chances are pretty good, Cody. Martinez should begin his rehab assignment later this week and be back in the middle of the month. The Indians are going to have to be careful with how much they expose Martinez's elbow to use, and having him play first instead of catching is one way to do so. Having him at designated hitter might be another, although it remains to be seen how much the elbow affects Martinez's swing. He could simply see more days off.
As you mention, a bigger issue is at hand here, and it revolves around the fact that Shoppach is proving himself as a viable starting catcher in the big leagues. Catching talent is increasingly rare in today's game, and while the Indians certainly enjoy the luxury of having a backup of Shoppach's caliber, I can't help but wonder if that's a luxury they might have to consider parting with this offseason, when it comes time to make some trades that improve this ballclub as a whole.
The Indians feel they have quality catching depth down on the farm in Wyatt Toregas, and you have to be intrigued by the switch-hitting Carlos Santana, who was brought aboard in the Casey Blake trade and is likely on the verge of a promotion to Double-A ball.
Maybe that means the Indians consider a deal involving Shoppach this offseason. Or maybe, just maybe, they consider parting with Martinez, as emotionally difficult as that would be.
Hey, maybe they do nothing and keep both. But you have to give up something to get something, and it's become quite clear the Indians have quite a bit on hand in the catching department.
I was wondering how much Shoppach's line, especially slugging percentage, improved after last Wednesday night's game, in which he notched five extra-base hits?
-- Josh H., Marysville, Ohio
Shoppach's slugging percentage rose from .466 to .523, his average went from .254 to .271, and his on-base percentage went from .319 to .336. Just another night at the office, right?
It's also worth noting that Shoppach had as many extra-base hits in that single game as Martinez had in the 31 games before he went on the disabled list.