We're going to have co-starters.
Wes Thigpen- One thing I expect out of our catchers is that they are able to play defense. Hitting is a bonus, but at the very least at a minimum, I expect them to handle the pitching staff and control the running game. And Wes does that, and while he is no Ed Easley, he is a pretty solid catcher. I'm not looking for much from Wes out of his bat. I don't mean this as a slam, but in a perfect world we would have Wes as a solid back-up catcher. Don't be shocked if a MLB team takes a flyer on Wes either late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent because you can make it to MLB as a back-up catcher if you can handle a pitching staff and play good defense. Ask Jason LaRue and Charlie O'Brien. Not saying that Wes will make it that far, but just that he might get a look.
Cody Freeman- Cody can hit some, but he has to play better defense. I think if he played even half as good as Wes defensively, he would be the clear cut starter. But, he can be a liability at times behind the plate. He will play some first base from time to time as well. Cody has had to battle his share of injuries as well since he has been at MSU, and they may have affected his defense a little bit.
Brett Bozeman- To me, Brett seems kind of like the odd man out. He is a JUCO transfer and I really am not expecting a whole lot out of him just because I don't think he will get to play a whole lot. He has been mentioned as possibly playing first base some, but I think his real value for us is going to be as a LH pinch hitter. I think he may play more of a role next year once Wes and Cody graduate. It's good to have him around just in case someone gets hurt behind the plate.
The Natural:
Everyone has heard a lot about Hunter Renfroe, and rightfully so. Of all of our players that were drafted, he was drafted the highest by the Red Sox. He holds the MAIS single season home run record, and I don't usually toss this around, but he could be a legit five tool guy. As far as the pros, I don't know that he will necessarily be a catcher- he may be moved to some other position. Yesterday, he hit a home run in the scrimmage. So, if he's so good, why isn't he the starter? It's because he is very raw. He does need to work on his defense a little bit, but he has the raw tools to excel. Also, catcher is a very demanding position and I think the staff wants to make sure that we're not overloading him too soon. Especially since he may be our closer- he is throwing 94-96 and topping out at 97. But make no doubt about it- he will play and be a big part of our team next year, and the only question really is where will he play. He can also play 1B, 3B, and the OF, and of course DH. If his defense is adequate enough, I don't think it's too far fetched to see him possibly starting behind the plate before the year is out. It's all going to depend on how quickly he adjusts to college baseball, which I think he will do pretty soon. But, he is a player that I am very excited about, and I think he will have a very good career at MSU.
Wes Thigpen- One thing I expect out of our catchers is that they are able to play defense. Hitting is a bonus, but at the very least at a minimum, I expect them to handle the pitching staff and control the running game. And Wes does that, and while he is no Ed Easley, he is a pretty solid catcher. I'm not looking for much from Wes out of his bat. I don't mean this as a slam, but in a perfect world we would have Wes as a solid back-up catcher. Don't be shocked if a MLB team takes a flyer on Wes either late in the draft or as an undrafted free agent because you can make it to MLB as a back-up catcher if you can handle a pitching staff and play good defense. Ask Jason LaRue and Charlie O'Brien. Not saying that Wes will make it that far, but just that he might get a look.
Cody Freeman- Cody can hit some, but he has to play better defense. I think if he played even half as good as Wes defensively, he would be the clear cut starter. But, he can be a liability at times behind the plate. He will play some first base from time to time as well. Cody has had to battle his share of injuries as well since he has been at MSU, and they may have affected his defense a little bit.
Brett Bozeman- To me, Brett seems kind of like the odd man out. He is a JUCO transfer and I really am not expecting a whole lot out of him just because I don't think he will get to play a whole lot. He has been mentioned as possibly playing first base some, but I think his real value for us is going to be as a LH pinch hitter. I think he may play more of a role next year once Wes and Cody graduate. It's good to have him around just in case someone gets hurt behind the plate.
The Natural:
Everyone has heard a lot about Hunter Renfroe, and rightfully so. Of all of our players that were drafted, he was drafted the highest by the Red Sox. He holds the MAIS single season home run record, and I don't usually toss this around, but he could be a legit five tool guy. As far as the pros, I don't know that he will necessarily be a catcher- he may be moved to some other position. Yesterday, he hit a home run in the scrimmage. So, if he's so good, why isn't he the starter? It's because he is very raw. He does need to work on his defense a little bit, but he has the raw tools to excel. Also, catcher is a very demanding position and I think the staff wants to make sure that we're not overloading him too soon. Especially since he may be our closer- he is throwing 94-96 and topping out at 97. But make no doubt about it- he will play and be a big part of our team next year, and the only question really is where will he play. He can also play 1B, 3B, and the OF, and of course DH. If his defense is adequate enough, I don't think it's too far fetched to see him possibly starting behind the plate before the year is out. It's all going to depend on how quickly he adjusts to college baseball, which I think he will do pretty soon. But, he is a player that I am very excited about, and I think he will have a very good career at MSU.