Catcher without a catcher rating

[thklein]

Can anyone explain why this player is listed as a catcher and has a high catcher ability but does not have a positional rating as a catcher? He's available in the amateur draft I'm in the middle of.

[Dark Horse]

He has catching ability. He just never played catcher. This happens IRL. i've read books and/or heard stories about scouts asking a player to put on catching gear and catching on the side so the scout can take a look at them.

[Vegas Vic]

Apparently, he doesn't have much, if any experience at catcher. His position rating will increase over time as he gets more playing time as catcher.

[CBeisbol]

Looks, defensively, like the kind of catcher I'd target.

Just needs some experience


The positional defensive ratings are based on a player's defensive ratings (range, arm, error, double play, catcher ability and catcher arm) as well as their experience at the position. It's why a player can learn a position. This player just needs to learn to play catcher

[SirMichaelJordan]

Yea young players (HS & IAFA) have low experience at position ratings despite have the ability to play the position.

I’m not a fan position of ratings not showing up. They should be a 20 (20-80 scale) at the minimum.

[TomVeal]

Something to bear in mind is that AI managers often won't play guys with no C rating at catcher even if they're prime catcher prospects. You'll want to watch for those oversights and force start them at catcher.

[SirMichaelJordan]

Originally Posted by TomVeal

Something to bear in mind is that AI managers often won't play guys with no C rating at catcher even if they're prime catcher prospects. You'll want to watch for those oversights and force start them at catcher.

Reason why I don’t like the no position showing up. AI will only play him at 1B in this scenario.

If he had atleast a 20 at catcher, the AI would at least try to play him there during the minors.

[thklein]

Originally Posted by TomVeal

Something to bear in mind is that AI managers often won't play guys with no C rating at catcher even if they're prime catcher prospects. You'll want to watch for those oversights and force start them at catcher.

I just drafted and signed him, and the minor's manager has him starting at catcher.

[jimmysthebestcop]

What is the minimum for arm to get qualified at catcher?

I've seen it at other position if one of the ratings is to low they can never get experience at that position. catcher arm 35 is crazy low but might be enough to get rated hopefully

[Number5]

I'm pretty sure 35 is enough to be rated, however 35 doesn't mean 35 (it could be anything between 32.5 and 37.5) so there could be 35s in any case.

Also, I'd train this guy at catcher no matter what. If for some reason he needs to step down to 1B you can do this in spring training, but he's about a millon times more likely to be a future catcher than a future 1B.

[thklein]

If anyone was curious, a year later he has a catcher rating but has lost his 1B rating.

[Dyzalot]

He lost his 1B rating because he hasn't had any experience there lately. Same thing would happen to his catcher rating if you play him a full season at other positions instead. But if a player at least plays once in a while at a position then they typically won't lose ability at that position just from losing experience.

[jimmysthebestcop]

2 seasons at rookie ball and his catcher rating is the minimum. That 35 arm is going to hold him back. He probably won't even be able to get to 50 as a position rating at catcher.

[CBeisbol]

Originally Posted by jimmysthebestcop

2 seasons at rookie ball and his catcher rating is the minimum. That 35 arm is going to hold him back. He probably won't even be able to get to 50 as a position rating at catcher.

I'd be willing to use him anyway

It's always about tradeoffs.

His impact on his pitching staff, at be enough to overcome his lack of ability to throw out the occasional baserunner.

[jimmysthebestcop]

Looks like he has zero offense too.

[thklein]

Right now I'd put his ceiling as a serviceable back up catcher in MLB. He's more likely to be a AAAA type third catcher that bounces between AAA and MLB as an injury replacement. Or to just flame out completely.

[SirMichaelJordan]

Originally Posted by thklein

If anyone was curious, a year later he has a catcher rating but has lost his 1B rating.

This is Rube Baker from Major League 2!

Lol noodle arm, mind tends to wander.

[thklein]

Coming along pretty well, although his attitude has taken a turn for the worse. Gonna start next season in High A ball.

Edit: That danged phantom switch to OSA scouting burned me again. I'll post my scout's rankings now. He's not as optimistic.

[thklein]

Okay, here is my scout's take. Still some progress, but not as much.

[jimmysthebestcop]

I still think he looks awful I wouldn't even have him on my team's prospect shortlist.He be a minor league filler to me.