Q&A Weekend: - C - Juan Centeno

Hobie said...  Mack, if you get the chance, I'd like to know more about Juan Centeno. Saw him in Brooklyn (only one game) but he seemed to have a nice stroke, and was very quick behind the plate blocking pitches in the dirt (OK, maybe too "active"). I know he didn't show any offense in the GCL and is smallish, but still...

-First, we have to keep reminding all of us that nothing speculated here means a damn thing since we still don't know who's in charge anymore at Citi Field.  There's a good chance that everyone involved in past minor league decisions will be gone some time next week....  but there is an equal chance the old guys will be the new guys as well.

That being said...

In the past, especially under Omar and Company, there always seem to be one or two catchers that get all the attention.  In 2008 and 2009, it was Francesco Pena... and in 2010, it has been Albert Cordero.

The good news... is there are two others that have been turning heads in the minors. One, Kai Gronauer, we have featured recently. The other is Juan Centeno.

A great story here.

Centeno was a 32nd round draft pick in 2007 that knocked around the system, mainly as a 3rd string catcher. The most at bats he had gotten was in 2009, with Brooklyn, and he hit only .164.


I had him as a casualty in 2010, but he wound up back in Brooklyn, getting himself 89 at bats and hitting… are you ready… .371/.417/.517/.934.


You would think that a .371 batting average out of the blue would get you an invite to the Instruction League this month, but, it didn't happen. That doesn't mean he won't wind up playing on one of the Latin American winter teams that kick off soon.


My outlook at the catching position for 2011 is:


Buffalo:  - there's an outside chance Mike Nickeas returns to Queens, but my guess is he and Michael Barrett will catch here... no idea what to do with Omir Santos.


Binghamton: - It should be Kai Gronauer on results, but it will be Francesco Pena based on bonus money spent.


St. Lucie:  Gronauer will remain here, especially since he isn't being pushed by anyone in Savannah.


Savannah:  Okay... here's where it gets difficult. Under Omar, you probably would see Cordero jump directly from Kingsport.


This would send both Blake Forsythe and Centeno back to Brooklyn, and the kid wouldn't get the proper amount of at bats to show what he can do.


It seems this just might be the best if gets for the catcher who, frankly, impressed the most in 2010.

In summation, Hobie, Centeno is real close to those cracks many minor leaguers fall through. The bonus money is behind guys like Pena and Forsythe and teams simply go in that direction.  You also have a situation that Josh Thole has changed everything regarding the need of a major league catcher in the next five years.

Still, there is one new factor.  Everything changes in the next tow to three weeks.

We'll have to wait this one out.