Develop A Catcher

The Minnesota Twins have the worst team ERA in the American League and their starters combined ERA, 5.59, is over a full run higher than the league average.

As I have said before, there is no real help in sight.

The same can be said for the catching situation.

Past Kurt Suzuki, in his third year as a Twin, the orginization has nothing promising. The best catcher in the minors is A.J. Murray. Murray, the Class-A Cedar Rapids' main catcher, leads the team in home runs, doubles and RBIs. He also leads them in strikeouts and has allowed 34 stolen bases.

That's it. That's as deep as it gets at that position.

The reason I bring this up is because I'm a firm believer in a catcher having a significant impact on pitching success.

The pitching staff as a whole feels much more comfortable when the guy behind the plate has everything together. The arm, the ability to call a good game and an understanding of what is working for that pitcher on a particular night.

Players like Salvador Perez and Buster Posey are unique. A player like Joe Mauer was unique. They could hit as well as be the best defensively at their position.

And it would be fine if Suzuki could do one or the other really well. But he's not.

What's the saying from the show Heroes? "Save the cheerleader, save the world?"

While not in the world saving business, the success of an organization revolves around a pitching staff. Develop a catcher to help guide a pitching staff and you could save an organization.

Develop a catcher, develop the pitching staff. Or something like that.