Plawecki catches on for Sox
Leads pack for backup catcher job
FORT MYERS — Kevin Plawecki is looking like the early leader for the Red Sox backup catcher job.
The 29-year-old backstop has been a light hitter for the duration of his five-year big league career, over which he’s hit just .218 with a .636 OPS. But he seems to be in mid-season form in Grapefruit League action. He’s 7-for-14 (.500) with five walks and two strikeouts.
“You can’t look much better than what Plawecki has done so far,” interim manager Ron Roenicke said. “He’s caught really well. He has good hands. He sets up nice. Offensively, his at-bats have been outstanding. He’s got a simple swing. He hits the ball to all fields.
“Offensively he’s looked great. If that continues, that’d be a huge plus for him.”
Plawecki is competing with Jona
than Lucroy, 33, who was an MVP candidate while playing for Roenicke for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2014.
But Lucroy has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He had surgery for a herniated disk in his neck this winter and is still looking for his swing. He’s 2-for-14 with three walks and five strikeouts.
“Lucroy is a guy that when I had him before, offensively that’s about as good as it gets as a catcher,” Roenicke said. “He’s not there right now. Hopefully he starts swinging like we know he can.
“I know Jason Varitek is working with him on the catching part of it, changing some things he’s done. When I had him in Milwaukee, analytically he was near the top of catchers in framing. He’s got great hands. Then his numbers have started to go down the last couple of years and we want to figure out why.”
Anewstance to frame pitches
The latest trend in baseball is now catching on with the Red Sox.
Catchers across the league are changing their receiving stance, lowering one knee to the ground to give them a stronger base and allow them to better frame pitches for the umpires.
“There’s pluses and minuses to that,” Roenicke said. “If you’ve got someone on base, it’s a little tougher to block pitches, but it seems to be working. It gives the umpires a better view of balls and strikes. The big thing with catcher is, how many strikes are you stealing in the game? That’s how they’re compared to other catchers.
“For me, putting down numbers is more important than when you steal two pitches a game because what numbers you put down comes into play way more often.”
Christian Vazquez often used the one-knee stance last year.
“He started it last year and looked really good doing it,” Roenicke said. “It seems to work. It’s hard for me to say why it works. I guess it’s just a smaller area where the umpire gets a better view of pitches.”
Vazquez was ranked 12th out of 117 catchers last year based on runs saved above average due to framing. He saved nine runs above average, according to Baseball Prospectus.
Former catcher Sandy Leon, traded to the Indians, ranked seventh with 11.6 runs saved above average. Lucroy, once considered the best in the game at framing, ranked 99th (negative-3.7 runs) and Plawecki 101st (negative-4.6 runs).
Looking for a fourth outfielder
Tzu-Wei Lin looks like he has a good chance to make the team if his hamstring heals quickly. Sunday, Roenicke mentioned Lin as an option to be the fourth outfielder and play some center field. J.D Martinez is also considered a fourth outfield type and Roenicke wants to increase his workload from a year ago. Utility man Jose
Peraza can also play some outfield. “I don’t know if we will strictly cover it with those guys, knowing that they all play out there, or if there is a guy who is just a true outfielder that is going to be on that roster,” the skipper said. Michael Chavis could also be exposed to the outfield before camp ends.
“We’ve talked about that,” Roenicke said. “We may get him out there some and see how that goes. He runs well enough, throws well enough so he can play out there. He’s good on fly balls. So if we end up doing that I think that also works.”
Jackie Bradley Jr. has only played center field this spring while Kevin Pillar has been in right, but the Sox will switch them before camp ends to get Bradley comfortable in right as well.
Weber likely in the rotation
Roenicke again mentioned Ryan Weber as a likely option to start the year in the rotation. Of the other starter candidates who have been extended for length, nobody else has separated from the pack.
Red Sox make cuts
The Sox trimmed their roster on Sunday.
Roldani Baldwin, Connor Wong, JeterDowns , Josh Ockimey, R.J. Alvarez, Trevor Hildenberger, Tanner Houck and Mike Kickham were reassigned to minor league camp.
Bobby Dalbec, C.J. Chatham, Kyle Hart, Mike Shawaryn and Phillips Valdez were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket. Marcus Wilson was optioned to Double-A Portland and Yoan Aybar was optioned to High-A Salem.
Hector Velázquez, who was designated for assignment when the Sox signed Collin McHugh, was claimed off waivers by the Orioles. He had a 3.90 ERA in three seasons with the Red Sox.