Nov
16
2011

2011 Player Review: Josh Thole, C

An article by John Delcos

We began our review of the 2011 Mets by examining their free agents and players the team will consider tending contracts to. We started evaluating the rest of the roster, beginning with infielder Ruben Tejada and continue today with catcher Josh Thole. Tomorrow: Ike Davis.

JOSH THOLE – C

THE SKINNY: Thole turned heads in 2010 with his bat control and ability to work the count. The Mets had a young hitter who could draw a walk and take an outside pitch to left field. Who knew? Defensively, he was new at the position, but the pitchers liked how he handled a game and gave them a consistent low target.

PRE-SEASON EXPECTATIONS: If Thole could make a good impression over 227 at-bats, imagine what he could do over a full season. And, as he developed physically and filled out he might be able to hit for more power. Also, his continued work with the pitching staff should make him even more comfortable behind the plate.

HOW THE SEASON PLAYED OUT: Not according to plan. Thole had 386 at-bats in 114 games, but a fulltime catcher should get more work than that. Ronny Paulino played more as a back-up than expected and that was a reflection on Thole. His defense regressed as he led the National League with 16 passed balls and he threw out just 17 attempted base stealers (21 percent). Offensively, his batting average (.268) and on-base percentages (.345 from .357) dropped. He hit three homers in both years despite having 160 more at-bats. In a word: disappointing.

JOHN’S TAKE: Thole might have benefited by more time in the minor leagues, but that wasn’t the hand he was dealt. He took a step back after a good first impression, but that was to be expected as the league found him out. Since his learning environment has been the major leagues it doesn’t make much sense to change that now. He would benefit from having a veteran back-up, and I don’t know if Paulino is that guy. The Mets will stick with Thole for the simple facts they have confidence he’ll develop and they want to spend their limited resources elsewhere. A tip: Have somebody else catch R.A. Dickey.

JOE’S TAKE: Call it a hunch, but I don’t think Thole is long for this team. The only reason he is still hanging onto his job is because quite simply the Mets positional depth at catcher is in complete shambles, and it has been that way for most of the team’s 50 year history.

On most teams, Thole is a backup catcher – maybe. On the Mets he’s the best they got, which says more about the state of the Mets than it does about Thole who was a good soldier when he was asked to ditch his first base glove and put on what Tim McCarver refers to as the “tools of ignorance.”

Thole has already had a few pitchers jaw about his pitch calling and you don’t need binoculars to see how miscast he looks behind the plate. His instincts are lacking and his offensive game leaves much to be desired. On a team that will have too many dead outs in their lineup in 2012, Thole is the worst one because he can’t field his position at a satisfactory level. When an opposing batter makes it to first base, they start drooling when Thole is behind the plate – even those who run as slow as John Olerud. Thole is a huge problem for the rotation, and for a team that is going to find themselves struggling to score runs and protect leads next season.

About the Author: John Delcos

I am an active member of the BBWAA and have covered Major League Baseball in several capacities for over 20 years, including ten in New York working the Mets' and Yankees' beat. I covered the Baltimore Orioles for eight years and the Cleveland Indians before that. I currently serve as an editor and senior staff writer for Mets Merized Online. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos.

9 Comments + Add Comment

Mike November 16, 2011 at 5:46 pm

I have to agree 100% with Joe, Thole is at best a double A catcher and I’m sure Mets brass know that, and I imagine they will do something about that.If Thole is the opening day catcher I will have very little expectations for this team.
kevin November 16, 2011 at 5:51 pm

I totally agree with Joe on this. You hit on all the problems with Thole, and I’m sure they will try to replace him if not this offseason certainly before 2013 season. I dont see Thole as the catcher that will break in Harvey, Wheeler and Familia.
Kramer67 November 16, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Reason No. 57 why I’m glad Minaya is gone.
2011 Player Review: Josh Thole, C | sportzfanaticz.com November 16, 2011 at 8:29 pm

[...] Source: http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/11/2011-player-review-josh-thole-c.html [...]
Moose November 16, 2011 at 10:22 pm

Joe has some good points. I agree a good veteran catcher and New cather coach ( Bench Coach) will be a big help. What does it look like for catchers in the minors? Because if we have someone coming soon why not also look at changing him to the infield Like 2nd Base. Do you remember one 2nd baseman who was a former catcher that played for Houston? Could we have the same thing.
Des November 17, 2011 at 1:15 am

We had real problems with Thole and Paulino behind the plate in 2011. Thole caught about two-thirds of the time and had 65-17- 21% CS figure. Paulino caught about one third of the time and had 47-12- 20% CS figure. These numbers just won’t cut it if the Mets are to be competitive. Making the matter worse was the nosedive Mike Pelfrey took with runners on base. With Mike on the mound, Mets’ catchers had a combined 31-2 – 6% CS number. Pelfrey and his catchers need to do a lot better if the Mets are going to be a .500 team. Compare these numbers with what Henry Blanco did in 2011 for Arizona. He had a 13-11-46% CS number.

I don’t know who will be behind the plate next season, but Warthen/Pelfrey and the catchers have a huge challenge. If they don’t solve it, Mike Nickeas, who has a career 38% CS number might see more work behind the plate than he expected.
Shamsky November 17, 2011 at 7:20 am

If you’re going to ask a minor leaguer to learn catching position, why would you pick someone who cant hit?
metsfan73 November 17, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Thole’s problem is his lateral movement. He is all thumbs behind the plate defensively. He is hand-cuffed on most pitches, and still hasn’t figured out how to catch a ball without backhanding it. Because of this, he doesn’t have the foot speed or arm to throw out runners.
If I were managing the Mets, Mike Nickeas and Ronnie Paulino would split time catching. The Mets need to go back to the drawing board with Thole, or send him packing. His defensive skills make Mike Piazza look like a Gold Glove catcher (no offense to Mr. Piazza).
tlagee November 17, 2011 at 9:28 pm

I agree with Joe – Thole is not the Mets catcher of the furutre. But with the financially burdened Madoff Mets who’s to say if we can afford someone else.

We are hurting at catcher, second base and parts of the outfield – this is before we get to the quite average pitching staff and whether we re-sign Reyes.

This team is in serious trouble right now. Yes, catching is a problem but it’s only one of many.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.0
Mets	16	24	.400	6.5
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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