Around the horn: catchers

January 5, 2005 | Red Sox Official Site

 

Picture an immovable object, and that's how sturdy the Red Sox appear to be behind the plate.

 

In the first of a seven-part series analyzing positions, it is fitting that the starting point is catcher. For the World Series champion Red Sox, this area is the blueprint of how they'd like every position to stack up.

 

Next week, we'll examine corner infielders. The series will also have installments on middle infielders, outfielders, starting rotation, bullpen and bench.

 

As far as catching goes, this is an area where the Red Sox have their greatest stability.

 

That is in large part because, on Christmas Eve, the Red Sox re-signed stalwart catcher Jason Varitek to a four-year contract. They also named him captain at that time, speaking volumes of what Varitek means to the team since they acquired him in 1997.

 

"It's not every day that you're lucky enough to find a player who embodies everything you want your franchise to be," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said on the day of the Varitek signing. "And when you're lucky enough to have that player, you don't let him get away. And you lock him up for as long as you can and you make him the rock of your franchise."

 

But Varitek isn't the only reason the Red Sox are in such good shape at this vital position.

 

The presence of Doug Mirabelli -- who was re-signed for two years -- means that the Sox have as good a backup catcher as there is in baseball.

 

"I'm so happy to have the opportunity to continue to play with Doug," said Varitek. "We're the opposite. He's funny, I'm more serious. We complement each other so well with the pitching staff because we have the same goal, we want to win and continue to win."

 

Aside from having a solid, veteran tandem that most teams can only envy, the Sox also have a well-regarded catching prospect in Kelly Shoppach. While Shoppach struggled with the bat (.233 average) in his first full year at Triple-A Pawtucket, he has enough physical tools to forecast steady improvement. He still managed to belt 22 homers in 399 at-bats.

 

The 24-year-old Shoppach, who has a strong throwing arm, was rated Boston's second-best prospect by Baseball America in 2004.

 

While the most vital part of being a catcher is defense, the Red Sox are fortunate that Varitek and Mirabelli are also good hitters.

 

Varitek is known for the countless hours he spends preparing his game plan for the pitching staff. What isn't so well known is that Varitek is also a regular for extra batting practice, typically partnering up with Mirabelli.

 

A switch-hitter with power, Varitek is coming off his two best seasons at the plate. In 2003, he belted a career-high 25 homers and drove in 85 runs. While Varitek couldn't match those production totals in '04 (18 and 73), he posted a personal-best average of .296. He is also more of a threat with his legs than most catchers, as evidenced by his 10 steals last season.

 

Mirabelli, even if he played every day, would never be a threat to steal double-digit bases. But he makes up for it with his power. In just 160 at-bats in 2004, Mirabelli smashed nine homers to go along with a career-high average of .281.

 

"Dougie is good enough to play more than he did and still be productive," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "I do think Dougie understands he's our backup catcher, but he could certainly catch more than he did and still be productive."

 

One key reason Mirabelli is such an effective backup catcher is that he knows what his role is, and prepares thoroughly for it. Mirabelli knows that he's going to catch every start by knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and back Varitek almost all of the rest of the time.

 

Mirabelli -- who originally came to Boston in June 2001, after Varitek sustained a season-ending fractured right elbow -- is also a diligent planner, studying film of the opposing pitcher he will face days ahead of time.

 

The Varitek-Mirabelli combo is ready to embark on season No. 4 behind the Boston plate.