Miguel Olivo might be the best available catcher this off-season
-Dexter Sports
4:39 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Miguel Olivo isn't what you would call a, "top notch" player. His numbers add up to a measly .241 average and nearly 557 strike outs in 640 games played. He has never had more than 60 RBIs in a season, and astonishingly has never drawn more than 19 walks in a season. Add that with the fact that he does have a history of injury and suspension, and Olivo doesn't seem too appeasing. But I believe, because of age and other factors, He might be the best free agent available on the market.
Sure, He isn't the leader that Pudge Rodriguez or Jason Kendall are. And he isn't a Varitek, who dons a 'C' on his chest, but he does don some offensive numbers that are close, if not better than these group of hitters.
Take Ivan Rodriguez for example. In 129 games split between New York and Detroit, Pudge drove in 35 runners. For Olivo, in his 84 games, he drove in about one every two games played (41 RBIs). Olivo drove himself in 12 times via the long ball. In 48 more ballgames, pudge only went deep seven times. Defensively, it's not even close. But I think Olivo's offense makes up for that.
Consider this. Out of his 84 games of work, Olivo accounted for 70 runs. And that was playing for a team, whose offense was down right pittiful. And though he has no idea how to reach base, he does have a tendancy to stretch out pitchers. 134 of his 306 at bats went 4-6 pitches. Though he had more at bats, Jason Kendall, who is considered one of the most patient catchers at the plate, took his at bats 4-6 pitches 40% of the time. Olivo's rate is near 44%.
I understand that Olivo isnt going to be a team leader, or something to build around, but he could well be worth the look if both the Royals and Olivo opt out of the 2009 deal. If not, be prepared for a decent 2009, If Miguel gets fair playing time.
(Stats Accumulated via billjamesonline.net)
4:39 PM
Dexter-Sports Inbox
Miguel Olivo isn't what you would call a, "top notch" player. His numbers add up to a measly .241 average and nearly 557 strike outs in 640 games played. He has never had more than 60 RBIs in a season, and astonishingly has never drawn more than 19 walks in a season. Add that with the fact that he does have a history of injury and suspension, and Olivo doesn't seem too appeasing. But I believe, because of age and other factors, He might be the best free agent available on the market.
Sure, He isn't the leader that Pudge Rodriguez or Jason Kendall are. And he isn't a Varitek, who dons a 'C' on his chest, but he does don some offensive numbers that are close, if not better than these group of hitters.
Take Ivan Rodriguez for example. In 129 games split between New York and Detroit, Pudge drove in 35 runners. For Olivo, in his 84 games, he drove in about one every two games played (41 RBIs). Olivo drove himself in 12 times via the long ball. In 48 more ballgames, pudge only went deep seven times. Defensively, it's not even close. But I think Olivo's offense makes up for that.
Consider this. Out of his 84 games of work, Olivo accounted for 70 runs. And that was playing for a team, whose offense was down right pittiful. And though he has no idea how to reach base, he does have a tendancy to stretch out pitchers. 134 of his 306 at bats went 4-6 pitches. Though he had more at bats, Jason Kendall, who is considered one of the most patient catchers at the plate, took his at bats 4-6 pitches 40% of the time. Olivo's rate is near 44%.
I understand that Olivo isnt going to be a team leader, or something to build around, but he could well be worth the look if both the Royals and Olivo opt out of the 2009 deal. If not, be prepared for a decent 2009, If Miguel gets fair playing time.
(Stats Accumulated via billjamesonline.net)
