Positional Previews: Catcher pt. 1

After a fairly good offensive season in 2006, A.J. Pierzynski came crashing back down to earth in 2007, posting the worst year of his career. His backups didn't perform much better, as the position overall was a glaring weakness on a team that wasn't short in that department. Following the unfortunate and unnecessary injury to Toby Hall in spring training, the White Sox were forced to bring Gustavo Molina north to begin the season. Prior to the injury, there was even talk of a platoon with Hall and Pierzynski, something A.J. did not favor. Going month by month:

April (AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS)
Pierzynski - .213/.276/.375/.651 (23 G/20 GS)
Molina - .000/.000/.000/.000 (6 G/3 GS)

Well, I suppose it is unfair to only post the lines of each player, as Molina did manage to knock in a run with a sacrifice fly on April 2nd against Cleveland. Although he only had 10 plate appearances in April, it was a massively futile start for Molina and Pierzynski. Molina suffered from a lack of action and opportunity, something that had to have contributed to his awful line. Pierzynski started more games in April than he had in any other opening month since 2003, as the lack of a competent backup forced his playing time.

May
Pierzynski .299/.321/.519/.840 (22 G/19 GS)
Molina .100/.182/.100/.282 (4 G/4 GS)
Hall .182/.182/.273/.455 (4 G/3 GS)

Pierzynski rebounded very strongly from his awful April to post his best month in the majors this season. Molina stayed on with team until May 17, when he was sent down to make room for Toby Hall, who opted against surgery to repair his torn labrum. Molina would not be seen again for the White Sox in 2007, as he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on July 30. Hall's comeback was rushed, as his numbers showed. Pierzynski was sorely in need of rest and Hall didn't fully allow his torn labrum to recover before returning. It was an unnecessary move on Hall's part in a season that was already headed nowhere. Oddly enough, Pierzynski's BABIP was an unlucky .261.

June
Pierzynski .247/.303/.309/.612 (24 G/21 GS)
Hall .167/.167/.167/.333 (8 G/7 GS)

Pierzynski fell on his face in June, posting his worst month of the season. Hall's playing time went up, and he somehow got worse. If not for his 2 year contract, Hall would have been DFA'd in a second. His move to avoid surgery looked even worse in a month without a single XBH/BB.

July
Pierzynski .298/.333/.345/.679 (25 G/20 GS)
Hall .241/.233/.241/.475 (10 G/9 GS)

Pierzynski's average rose as his isoP fell a little bit from the prior month. Hall miraculously had a higher BA than OBP. AJP had his second consecutive month with no HR. How does Toby Hall's decision to forego surgery look at this point?

August
Pierzynski .241/.308/.482/.790 (23 G/21 GS)
Hall .222/.250/.296/.546 (8 G/8 GS)

A.J. posted his second highest SLG of the season, and snapped out of his homer drought with five HR. Hall even had two, count 'em T-W-O, doubles! The man should receive a medal for such production.

September/October
Pierzynski .284/.314/.388/.702 (19 G/15 GS)
Hall .200/.259/.240/.499 (8 G/8 GS)
Lucy .200/.200/.200/.400 (8 G/4 GS)

Pierzynski's finish was non descript, as those numbers are fairly pedestrian for him. Hall continued to steal money from the White Sox. At least this month he drew two walks; I wonder if that earned him an incentive in his contract? Perhaps a $15 bonus? Donny Lucy earned a September call-up, and proceeded to look awfully over-matched. It certainly lowered the bar for his future expectations, but his defensive reputation should allow him to someday become a competent back-up backstop. If Toby can make a career out of it, why not Donny?

Total lines:
Pierzynski .263/.309/.403/.712 VORP: 9.6
Molina* .056/.100/.056/.156 VORP: -4.4
Hall .207/.225/.241/.466 VORP: -9.6
Lucy .200/.200/.200/.400 VORP: -1.7
*Molina's line with White Sox only
VORP = Value Over Replacement Player

Hall posts a -9.6 VORP and makes $1.75 million! Ron Karkovice could have put up that line. Another disappointing year for Pierzynski - certainly one that was not worthy of a September contract extension.

So what can one reasonably expect this season from Pierzynski/Hall? Tomorrow I'll break down reasonable expectations, contractual situations, different projections, and possible call-ups at the position.

Tomorrow: Positional Previews - Catchers pt. 2
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Voros McCracken writes about why Ozzie is wrong
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