Dave in Spain asks…
“What are the chances of Monell getting the backup C job instead of Recker? He’s hitting much better in ST, and has more power. With Edgin and Wheeler going to the 60-day DL there will be a 40-man roster spot open.”
Daniel McCarthy replies…
Johnny Monell has been tearing the cover off the ball this spring with an impressive 1.321 OPS. At age 28, he’s a little long in the tooth to be a ‘prospect’, but the Mets are usually good for one reclamation project a year and a power hitting catcher could certainly lengthen the organization’s trade depth.
Once camp breaks, I still see Anthony Recker returning as the team’s backup catcher for the start of the 2015 season. Recker serves a very specific purpose. Pound for pound, he’s one of the best defensive catchers in baseball. He started 43 games last year and generated a 3.15 cERA with an outstanding 37% caught-stealing rate (ESPN). So, while it’s easy to look at Monell’s spring training numbers at the plate, the Mets will look to TDA to produce big with the bat, with Recker ready to provide situational defense and pinch hit off the bench.
Regardless of how well Monell does in March, we all know the backup role is basically being kept warm until top catching prospect Kevin Plawecki has earned a promotion and the battle begins. Regardless of the first half performance of Travis d’Arnaud, the team’s current starter and former top catching prospect in all of baseball, Plawecki will have a shot alongside d’Arnaud at some point this year. Should those two players underwhelm, Monell may find an opportunity, but his main role is to provide legitimate depth (which he certainly does) over a season filled with question marks.
