Byte Sized: Steve Clevenger vs Rob Brantly

You’re saying this dude slugged .387 in the minor leagues?

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Full disclosure:  SSI loved Steve Clevenger’s swing based on video.  Based on real-time CF camera action, he only likes it.  … don’ take that the wrong way, Mrs. Clevenger.  We still like the guy just fine.  Just that a little bit of the sparkle dust turned out to be missing once we opened the Fed Ex package.

Rob Brantly, just the opposite.  As backup catchers go, this guy looks pretty blamed sparkle-dusty.  See the POTD on him earlier.   There’s an odd disconnect between the way he swings the bat, and what his actual results have been.

Both catchers draw approving nods from the manager, who is an ex-catcher, for their nonembarrassments behind the plate.  Which, in SSI’s mind, leaves the decision only about 60% Clevenger right now.

…..

One of the local beat writers claimed an impending 60+ starts for a lefty catcher (!?), but that was based on Iannetta’s career max of 105 games.  (His actual max is 115 games, but point well taken.)

Don’t want to oversell Rob Brantly, because he’s a lifetime .275 hitter .. in the minors.  With decent walks and minus power.  In the minors.  Steve Clevenger, by contrast, hit .310 with nice walks and gap power in the minors.

Then again, Jason Varitek was pretty iffy in the minors even at ages 24-25.  Stats CAN SOMETIMES be misleading for catchers and Brantly sure LOOKS like a hitter.

If a bat-first LH catcher takes 50 games, those 50 games are against the toughest righties … and that does what to Chris Iannetta’s confidence and rhythm?  Niiiice.