For those of you who are more in touch with all those minor-league affiliate goings-on, I am curious if anyone knows why Baker hasn't been called up? While not apparently an exceptional hitter, he at least appears to be a better hitter (by minor league career stats) than Hoover or Treanor, and I figure if his defense was horrendous he wouldn't be in AAA, so does anyone know what gives? I had a running joke about calling up Baker some time ago, but I was reminded when I saw the minor league report on the main page.

My guess would be the Marlins aren't ready to commit a roster spot to him on the 40. I was surprised they went with Hoover over Baker to start the season. Honestly he probably wouldn't do any worse or better than Treanor and he's younger.

i think this point was made that they didnt want to bring baker up because he was out of options and when rabelo got healthy then we would have to DFA or release baker when me thinks the organization would have alot easier time parting ways with hoover

i think this point was made that they didnt want to bring baker up because he was out of options and when rabelo got healthy then we would have to DFA or release baker when me thinks the organization would have alot easier time parting ways with hoover

 

This

You've got two minor league catchers in Hoover and Baker who had significant playing time in both the A games and back field B or minor league games and you have to think the rationale based purely on what team personnel saw from both of them.

 

Hoover does seem the energetic, take charge kind of guy and Baker not so much, at least from what I saw of them during ST, but there's no axe to grind over a temporary roster guy so they went with who they thought was the most compatible with the rest of the team they assembled.

 

Perhaps in different circumstances a different choice would have been made. Perhaps part of it was Hoover didn't embarrass himself last September when called up and so far this season has handled the back very well in limited at bats. Perhaps they didn't think they couldn't expect as much from Baker.

 

I don't know there's a definitive answer.

You've got two minor league catchers in Hoover and Baker who had significant playing time in both the A games and back field B or minor league games and you have to think the rationale based purely on what team personnel saw from both of them.

 

Hoover does seem the energetic, take charge kind of guy and Baker not so much, at least from what I saw of them during ST, but there's no axe to grind over a temporary roster guy so they went with who they thought was the most compatible with the rest of the team they assembled.

 

Perhaps in different circumstances a different choice would have been made. Perhaps part of it was Hoover didn't embarrass himself last September when called up and so far this season has handled the back very well in limited at bats. Perhaps they didn't think they couldn't expect as much from Baker.

 

I don't know there's a definitive answer.

 

 

Hoover has been the catcher in the 2 blow outs we have had. Not saying they are his fault. But he also has had 3 pass balls in 2 games. So far his defense and game calling has not impressed, to say the least.

You've got two minor league catchers in Hoover and Baker who had significant playing time in both the A games and back field B or minor league games and you have to think the rationale based purely on what team personnel saw from both of them.

 

Hoover does seem the energetic, take charge kind of guy and Baker not so much, at least from what I saw of them during ST, but there's no axe to grind over a temporary roster guy so they went with who they thought was the most compatible with the rest of the team they assembled.

 

Perhaps in different circumstances a different choice would have been made. Perhaps part of it was Hoover didn't embarrass himself last September when called up and so far this season has handled the back very well in limited at bats. Perhaps they didn't think they couldn't expect as much from Baker.

 

I don't know there's a definitive answer.

 

 

Hoover has been the catcher in the 2 blow outs we have had. Not saying they are his fault. But he also has had 3 pass balls in 2 games. So far his defense and game calling has not impressed, to say the least.

 

What a catcher calls and how well a pitcher executes that are two completely different things but that said, I can't argue with your observation.

 

What a catcher calls and how well a pitcher executes that are two completely different things but that said, I can't argue with your observation.

 

And actually he has had 1 passed ball. I think you confused those 2 wild pitches on Sunday as passed balls.

 

Hoover is considered a better defensive catcher right now. I believe Baker did some off season work on his glove, but evidently the org didn't feel he had progressed far enough to warrant him taking Hoover's slot while Rabelo is out. I never really saw enough of Baker in ST to see where I thought he was, as if that would make a difference. But Hoover at least has some ML experience, and that means he already knows some/most of our pitchers.

 

What a catcher calls and how well a pitcher executes that are two completely different things but that said, I can't argue with your observation.

 

And actually he has had 1 passed ball. I think you confused those 2 wild pitches on Sunday as passed balls.

 

Hoover is considered a better defensive catcher right now. I believe Baker did some off season work on his glove, but evidently the org didn't feel he had progressed far enough to warrant him taking Hoover's slot while Rabelo is out. I never really saw enough of Baker in ST to see where I thought he was, as if that would make a difference. But Hoover at least has some ML experience, and that means he already knows some/most of our pitchers.

 

Ooops. Looks like I am responding to 2003 here. Really just expanding on his post to djm. Sorry for the confusion.

 

What a catcher calls and how well a pitcher executes that are two completely different things but that said, I can't argue with your observation.

 

And actually he has had 1 passed ball. I think you confused those 2 wild pitches on Sunday as passed balls.

 

Hoover is considered a better defensive catcher right now. I believe Baker did some off season work on his glove, but evidently the org didn't feel he had progressed far enough to warrant him taking Hoover's slot while Rabelo is out. I never really saw enough of Baker in ST to see where I thought he was, as if that would make a difference. But Hoover at least has some ML experience, and that means he already knows some/most of our pitchers.

 

Ooops. Looks like I am responding to 2003 here. Really just expanding on his post to djm. Sorry for the confusion.

 

 

That's ok, I think the statisticians were generous with the WP's. He should have blocked them and kept them in front of him. The problem is the other team had runners on that advanced in both cases and in one case it cost us a run because the runner was on third. But who's keepin track... :confused