21
2013
MMO Prospect Pulse: Juan Centeno, C
An article by 
I have been asked more than once why I thought minor league catching prospect Juan Centeno received a non-roster invite by the Mets to Spring Training.
I’ll admit that I was initially puzzled by the move, but after a minute of deliberating it wasn’t really as surprising as one would think. A quick look to the left and you see the underwhelming and overpriced John Buck, while at the right you have two catchers picked up from the proverbial scrapheap in Anthony Recker and Landon Powell. Not exactly a group that would inspire any confidence until Travis d’Arnaud finishes simmering in Las Vegas.
Centeno doesn’t get much respect when the discussion turns to Mets prospects, but that’s why fans can only speculate about top prospects while front office executives make real life decisions about them based on what their scouts and coaching staffs tell them. That’s why I always pay close attention to what people like DePo, Natera, Valdes, Malek, Backman, etc. have to say about our prospects. It helps me to filter out the noise and focus on the substance.
Last season, we heard a lot of good things about Centeno and then when you see the Mets select him for spring camp, you understand that they really weren’t just blowing smoke up our asses. MMO was privileged to see Centeno a half dozen times in person at the many games we covered last season, and I can tell you that my people all said he has the best defensive catching tools and instincts of anyone they’ve seen in the last two seasons – including the 7-8 catchers we’ve had on the major league roster. If nothing else, Centeno is a real defensive backstop in every sense of the word. Casey Stengel would be proud.
The 23-year old Centeno was originally a 32nd round pick in 2007, so right from the start you knew he was going to be flying under the radar, and for the most part he has. But don’t think for one second that this kid is merely just a defense-only catcher, Centeno can hit and has a great batting eye.
After taking a slow boat to China, err Binghamton, Centeno batted .285 in 79 Double-A games last season and that was after batting .315 for High-A St. Lucie in 2011. The kid can make contact, but has virtually no power to speak of. However, that’s okay when you can play a premium position like catcher as exceptionally good as he does. I can think of very few catchers who can throw out runners at better than a 40% clip.
Now after all that, lets add some perspective to this. During any normal spring training, your average major league team will need at least five catchers to catch all those bullpens, play in all those split-squad games, and get the most of the 25-35 pitchers who are all in camp to compete.
It could very well be that Centeno is one of the first cuts in camp after the bulk of his work in spring training is done and he’s no longer needed. It may sound unfair, but that’s just the way it goes. I can assure you that for a player like Centeno, this will still be the biggest thrill of his career as a pro – at least until he gets his first cup of coffee. Additionally, you can’t underestimate the impact this experience will have on both his confidence and his development. Everybody wins.
Send your questions to me at GetMetsmerized@aol.com or hit me up on Twitter at @Metsmerized. I’ve been getting a ton of questions on the minors this Winter. Keep them coming and I’ll try to answer as many as I can or pass them on to one of my minor league minions. 
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
18 Comments + Add Comment
Recent Comments
- Alex68: on It’s Not The Approach That’s The Mets’ Problem, It’s The Execution: And BTW, in 2011 the mets offense...
- taskmaster4450: on It’s Not The Approach That’s The Mets’ Problem, It’s The Execution: Reading this gave me flashbacks to math...
- Alex68: on It’s Not The Approach That’s The Mets’ Problem, It’s The Execution: Yeah, Jdon, but it'll hurt their PPPA....
- Matt Balasis: on It’s Not The Approach That’s The Mets’ Problem, It’s The Execution: It's not about the count necessarily ......
- Alex68: on If Zack Wheeler Is In, Then Who’s Out?: Joe D, where is the shoutbox?
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5393 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1269 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
This is one of the reasons I love the televised ST games. Get to see talent we’ve got in the minors I have only read about.
Good defensive backstops are so underrated. Behind so many great pitching staffs you often have a guy like this. Think Jerry Grotte.
Inb4 just says you’re selling him short
They probably need catcher to catch all the pitchers in camp and at the same time it would not hurt to see him handle some the major league staff. Down the line, he could be the backup.
Da Damaja, where are ya, buddy? It’s your time to shine!!!
That might be the case but the Mets also need a backup at AAA (until TDA moves up). It is presumed that Recker will back up Buck to start and them move to Vegas when TDA is called up. Even if that is the case, he is better served as a back up in Vegas too. And, we know Buck is only a short term fix for the Mets (if he does well, maybe move him at the deadline and call up Centeno) since he has only a year left on his contract.
People will be breaking down doors for Buck.
2 rookie catchers? I think they would rather pick up another vet off the scrap heap or as a part of a trade to help out d’Arnaud
This is the organization that broke camp last year with Thole and Nickeas. So yeah, if Buck is moved at the deadline, I could see going with two rookies. By that time, TDA will be accustomed to the big league game since I anticipate him arriving at some point in May.
Hi TM:
This is a young staff. A veteran calling a game could be the most important thing for this team. I wonder how this will impact them. I don’t see Sandy moving Buck just to save money. I also don’t see anyone trading a top prospect for a rental.
With the super 2 thing it is unlikely that D’Arnold will arrive in Queens before June. Is it possible that Sandy would make that June 2012? The staff in Las Vegas looks major league bound. D’Arnold we need to get familiar with them sooner or later. Sandy may want to do it the least expensive way.
sorry…. that was June of 2014
Jersey I think it’s 20 days before he loses his super 2. I don’t think he has to wait until June. I’m not 100% sure but that’s what a lot of people have been posting here. Also I think you mean June 2013 not 2012 or 2014
Oh and why do you keep calling him D’Arnold? Is that an inside joke or something?
I’m talking 2014. The year Sandy always aimed for. The longer he can keep his young studs down on the farm: The longer he can control them for the minimum money. Why rush a talent to free agency? We have too many holes to compete this year. Much of our team is AAAA types and we will lose. So let the next crew learn to win in AAA.
“THE PLAN” is to plow under the crops and enrich the farm. We saw this with Dickey. Niese, is next. More will follow.
If he’s MLB ready which most believe he is already and only missing the rest of the season from a knee injury is what kept himf from making his Major league debut last year. I doubt he stays down at AAA until 2014 unless he re-injures himself ot completely bombs out. These guys have to develope at the big league level when they’re ready.
If putting the best team on Citi field in 2013 is Sandy’s goal, you are correct. If Sandy’s goal is to build the most affordable championship team…Travis could stay down.
I hope that he is good enough to team up with D’Arnaud behind the plate in a couple of years. . .an excellent defensive catcher who can hit for average would be an asset coming off the bench and catching games to give Travis a break. .
Of all the days for Damaja to miss a post… The incarnate of Bench, Piazza, Carter and Berra, all rolled into one.