Catcher Saez proving to be Thunder’s unsung hero
TRENTON >> Ask manager Bobby Mitchell who has been the Thunder’s unsung hero through 42 games and he’ll tell you it’s catcher Jorge Saez. And for good reason. After the 26-year-old had his contract purchased by the Yankees as part of the Minor League Rule-5 Draft, there was no guarantee he’d stick around let alone become the organization’s starter at Double-A.
“I don’t think I’ve ever really been the guy, and it’s nice to know that you’re going to get at-bats,” Saez said. “You’re not pressing where it’s like these are my three or four at-bats and I have to wait two or three more days for my next four.”
Saez has posted a .262/340/.452 slash with four homers and 17 RBIs in 23 games. He began the year at High-A Tampa, but quickly moved up when an injury to Gary Sanchez created a ripple effect throughout the organization.
He’s since established himself as the top catching option in Trenton not only with his productivity at the plate, but with the way he’s handled the Eastern League’s best pitching staff.
“The talent here is unbelievable,” said Saez, who had a 40-game spell with New Hampshire last season. “I’ve been spoiled with some of the guys who are here. It’s not so much me or anything that I do, but it’s about how well these guys can throw their pitches. They keep all their different pitches in the strike zone and it makes my job so much easier.”
Mitchell, however, believes his veteran presence is a factor for a pitching staff with a 2.73 ERA — almost a full run better than the next closest team.
“I came up with Mike Scioscia and I know how much he stresses this relationship between catchers and pitchers,” the second-year skipper said. “When he caught with the Dodgers, he wasn’t a guy who was going to hit a ton, but his relationship with Orel Hershiser and the pitching staff was unbelievable. I firmly believe that’s the truth. That’s their number one priority and if offense comes, that’s great, but pitching is going to win ballgames for you.”
Saez said there’s definitely a trust he’s established with the staff. He was behind the plate on Monday night when left-hander Justus Sheffield delivered his best performance to date with 6 1/3 innings of onerun ball.
“I’ve been able to connect well with these guys,” Saez said. “Everybody has got something that sets them apart and there’s a reason why the Yankees have them here in Double-A. There’s no ‘oh, this guy is just a spot filler,’ there’s a lot of talent here.”