This is a discussion on The S3F All-Underrated Team: Catcher within the Polls forum at Strike 3 Forums; This is simply the poll to supplement the topic on the main forum. You can ...

Fishercat · **The S3F All-Underrated Team: Catcher -** 08-23-2005, 11:16 PM

This is simply the poll to supplement the topic on the main forum. You can see the topic and its purpose at this link: http://strike3forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5869

If you want to discuss it here you can, but the topic works.

Choices
Ben Molina (ANA)
Jason LaRue (CIN)
Joe Mauer (MIN)
Michael Barrett (CHC)
Gregg Zaun (TOR)
Victor Martinez (CLE)
Other (???, please list)

General · 08-23-2005, 11:28 PM

All of them I consider overrated, except Gregg Zaun. Thought about voting for Jason Kendall, but thought against it.

browntown653 · 08-23-2005, 11:31 PM

I'm gonna take Molina, I think he's a better catcher than anyones there except Mauer...but wouldn't consider Mauer underrated. Molina's quietly become a very nice hitter and is always solid defensively. He's also a very good contact hitter (26 Ks in 292 ABs).

Geki Ace · 08-23-2005, 11:33 PM

I went with Barrett. He has very quietly become one of the best offensive catchers in the game, and nobody even realizes it.

Providence A's · 08-23-2005, 11:37 PM

As much as I don't like the guy: A.J. Pierzynski

He's having a solid year overall for a 1st place team.

realmofotalk · 08-24-2005, 03:34 AM

I have to go with my homer catcher Paul Lo Duca. He can't throw out base stealers but is solid with the bat and behind the plate. Any pitcher not named Chan Ho Park loves throwing to him. His career catcher's ERA is 3.71.

Saber · 08-24-2005, 04:03 AM

I think Lo Duca is badly overrated because of his cost and perennial late-season collapse. Kendall sucks for 10 million a year.

I vote Molina.

Geki Ace · 08-24-2005, 05:01 AM

I have to go with my homer catcher Paul Lo Duca. He can't throw out base stealers but is solid with the bat and behind the plate. Any pitcher not named Chan Ho Park loves throwing to him. His career catcher's ERA is 3.71.

I hate to break it to you, but when your career is spent with the Dodgers and Marlins, your CERA oughtta be pretty damn good.

realmofotalk · 08-24-2005, 01:45 PM

He didn't play all 162 games each season in Dodger Stadium or Pro Player. Ace Kevin Brown only had one full season when LoDuca was a Dodger, Park preferred his personal catcher, Andy Ashby couldn't pitch anymore, Ishii was a walking gas can, so the best Dodger pitchers during LoDuca's stay were Nomo, Odalis Perez, a half season of Jeff Weaver, and some 1-year fill-in wonders such as Omar Daal, Terry Adams, and Jose Lima.

The Philly Fanatic · 08-24-2005, 03:37 PM

It's close but I went with Molina over Barrett. Barrett is no question the better overall catcher between them but he does get recogized. To tell you the truth, I wasn't even aware of the nice season Molina was having until I just checked his stats for this poll.

realmofotalk · 08-24-2005, 03:43 PM

I don't think he's underrated, but Lieberthal is a guy who hasn't had attention in a while. His bat isn't All Star worthy anymore, but he was a Gold Glover before Matheny racked up the award.

Geki Ace · 08-24-2005, 03:53 PM

Lieberthal's pretty much useless anymore. He's got a .242 average, .715 OPS, and he throws out only about 28% of basestealers anymore.

realmofotalk · 08-24-2005, 04:05 PM

I know, but I think highly of Lieberthal because he owns the Dodgers. His .326 batting average and .962 OPS against them are his highest stats against a non-AL team.

General · 08-24-2005, 04:50 PM

How about Estrada? He quietly batted .300 last year.