Breaking Down the 2008 Mets: Catcher

With pitchers and catchers reporting yesterday, baseball season is finally officially here. The Mets had somewhat of a lazy off season until the Santana trade, so while most of the 2007 Mets will be returning for 2008, let’s clear the board and break down the 2008 New York Mets.

Catcher:

First String: Brian Schneider – Schneider may not be the offensive player that Paul Lo Duca (or even Ramon Castro is for that matter), his .235 average, 33 runs scored, 6 home runs and 55 RBIs doesn’t exactly make Mets fans salivate, but he makes up for his hitting ability of the defensive side of the game. Scheider has consistently been one of the best defensive catchers in baseball the last few years. Last year he was 4th in the National League in caught stealing percentage, throwing out 31.2% of would be base stealers. Schneider is a veteran leader, and should fit perfectly in the Mets clubhouse as well.

Second String: Ramon Castro – For all intensive purposes Castro is catcher 1A. Castro is easily one of the most under rated players in the game. In only 144 at bats last season, Castro took advantage of every opportunity, batting .285, scoring 24 runs, launching 11 homers and driving in 31 runs. Assuming an average full time catcher’s 400 AB a season pace, Castro was on pace for 66 runs scored, 30 home runs, 86 RBIs, and a .285 batting average to boot. The greatest little known fact about Castro is is AB/HR ratio. Of all players with at least 100 at bats in 2007, Castro had the 10th highest AB/HR ratio in MLB, averaging a home run every 13.09 at bats, which placed him between Adam Dunn and Ryan Braun. Castro should continue to be a clutch backup for the Mets, expect him to start at least 50 games this year, which should give Schneider plenty of rest, keeping him healthy and fresh.