Apr. 24, 2009 (The Dallas Morning News delivered by Newstex ) --
So far, through 15 games, the Rangers' aren't getting much production from the catcher position. Starter Jarrod Saltalamacchia is batting .227 (8-for-42) with two homers, 6 RBIs and 17 strikeouts, second-most on the team. Backup Taylor Teagarden is hitting .067 (1-for-19) with 1 RBI and 12 strikeouts. Teagarden (shown right last night in a photo by Tom Szczerbowski of US Presswire) was 0-for-4 with 4 Ks (the golden sombrero) on Thursday. Clearly, it's a position of weakness at the plate for the club. It's important to remember that both of these catchers are young and still learning. And both have shown some promise defensively at times.
So what do you do to get some production out of the catcher position? Do you keep playing Saltalamacchia the majority of the time and see what happens? Do you get Teagarden more regular playing time and see if that makes a difference? Max Ramirez has played better the last two games at Triple-A Oklahoma City, but he has struggled overall this season. He's on the 40-man, so that might make some sense later on. But not now.
I think the Rangers are stuck with their two catchers and tha'ts just the way it is. Give them some time. Someone will step up and take advantage of the opportunity. The Rangers just hope it's soon.
Your thoughts on the catchers?
Newstex ID: DA-2661-34381892
