Will Barnes get a chance to get out from behind the plate and stay there? He seems to be as good of a middle infield prospect as any we have offensively and could possibly make sense as an infielder if he were able to concentrate on one position only. He doesn't seem like a proto catcher, rather his frame reminds me of an infielder. I understand he is average at best but his numbers look better than our other options. Minors career stat lines:

 

A. Barnes - 4 seasons

 

G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG OPS

 

419 1855 1573 241 468 97 10 31 186 31 8 217 213 .298 .390 .431 .821

 

A. Romero - 3 seasons

 

223 946 851 106 251 56 1 11 110 14 10 64 120 .295 .353 .402 .755

 

 

 

I'm a fan of Barnes but a thing to remember about his number is that he's been, at best, "not old" for his league. You can't just compare Romero's line to Barnes because Romero is three years younger. Romero was in Jupiter this year, whereas Barnes was in the NYPL at the same age.

 

Love the BB/K though and he's shown okay power to back it up. I really do like him. If we go in as is, I think he should be in the running for our starting 2B with Dietrich and Kike.

 

I understand where you are coming from. I sort of feel if he progresses at the same rate he will be the same statistically as Barnes. Maybe he gains a little power, maybe he gets a little more discipline and boom we have the same statistics. I also think Barnes should be in the running for the middle infield spot this year. The poor guy just needs to stay at one position. I just can't imagine him as a major league catcher but could see him as a utility infielder.

 

 

I understand where you are coming from. I sort of feel if he progresses at the same rate he will be the same statistically as Barnes. Maybe he gains a little power, maybe he gets a little more discipline and boom we have the same statistics. I also think Barnes should be in the running for the middle infield spot this year. The poor guy just needs to stay at one position. I just can't imagine him as a major league catcher but could see him as a utility infielder.

 

That maybe is what the Marlins would like him to be a utility player who can be the 3rd catcher

 

 

That maybe is what the Marlins would like him to be a utility player who can be the 3rd catcher

 

 

 

That's exactky what I see, wouldn't surprise me.

I'd be cool with that.

 

 

Why Solano got his shot and Barnes hasn't is odd.

 

 

Why Solano got his shot and Barnes hasn't is odd.

 

 

 

Barnes is too scrappy for a second baseman. You know, not enough accent.

 

Kidding.

Why Solano got his shot and Barnes hasn't is odd.

 

I'm cool with Barnes as a utility player as well, but man do I agree with you about why Solano got his shot and Barnes not. If you compare their minor league careers it is clear that Barnes is better stat wise.

 

 

Long term Barnes projects to likely be a utility player/backup, but his numbers have warranted him being brought up at a better pace. I feel the biggest indictment of this was when he got his chance at Jacksonville, posted a .900+ OPS in a relatively short time there, and immediately was sent back down to Jupiter. Granted he struggled in Jupiter after that so read into it what you may, but I have to imagine proving yourself in AA and being sent back to A+ ball can be a bit demoralizing.

 

If you want to follow an under the radar prospect go check out Chad Wallach in Jupiter next year. He was trashed as our early round pick when we took him (I believe poor bat and nepotism were the biggest complaints) and all he's done is hit since being drafted. If he continues to perform this way and the Marlins don't toy with him he could be a really fast riser in the system. Realmuto probably starts the season in AAA since we'll have Salty/Mathis in the big leagues and it makes little sense to have 3 catchers, Barnes will start at catcher in AA and Wallach in A+ ball. Realmuto has already seen MLB time, Barnes isn't that far behind and Wallach is just one or two good months to start off in A+ ball from a call up. This is the most stacked with decent players we've been at the catcher position in the minors that I can ever remember.

 

 

Long term Barnes projects to likely be a utility player/backup, but his numbers have warranted him being brought up at a better pace. I feel the biggest indictment of this was when he got his chance at Jacksonville, posted a .900+ OPS in a relatively short time there, and immediately was sent back down to Jupiter. Granted he struggled in Jupiter after that so read into it what you may, but I have to imagine proving yourself in AA and being sent back to A+ ball can be a bit demoralizing.

 

If you want to follow an under the radar prospect go check out Chad Wallach in Jupiter next year. He was trashed as our early round pick when we took him (I believe poor bat and nepotism were the biggest complaints) and all he's done is hit since being drafted. If he continues to perform this way and the Marlins don't toy with him he could be a really fast riser in the system. Realmuto probably starts the season in AAA since we'll have Salty/Mathis in the big leagues and it makes little sense to have 3 catchers, Barnes will start at catcher in AA and Wallach in A+ ball. Realmuto has already seen MLB time, Barnes isn't that far behind and Wallach is just one or two good months to start off in A+ ball from a call up. This is the most stacked with decent players we've been at the catcher position in the minors that I can ever remember.

 

The thing is, everyone hits in Greensboro, so nobody is jumping the gun on Wallach yet. The encouraging thing is he walked more than he struck out, and that's hard to do anywhere.

 

 

He also hit in Jupiter. Short sample size yes, but he should become a top 7 prospect in the system before next year's done.

 

 

The thing is, everyone hits in Greensboro, so nobody is jumping the gun on Wallach yet. The encouraging thing is he walked more than he struck out, and that's hard to do anywhere.

 

Well put. Greensboro stats are always inflated and don't mean a whole lot. I also, like the Wallach's ability to get on base. Can't score runs if your not on base. Although, he did not hit well in the AFL so hopefully that is not a sign into the future.

 

 

Well put. Greensboro stats are always inflated and don't mean a whole lot. I also, like the Wallach's ability to get on base. Can't score runs if your not on base. Although, he did not hit well in the AFL so hopefully that is not a sign into the future.

 

I think at that point, it may have just been fatigue. Plus he was consistently facing better and better pitching that was probably in A+ ball all year or in AA ball [or even AAA]. Being a guy that was in low A and barely into high A, I'm happy he did as well as he did.

 

 

I'm high on Wallach. College catcher, major league pedigree, I have a feeling he and Realmuto are our future at that position for many years to come.

I'm high on Wallach. College catcher, major league pedigree, I have a feeling he and Realmuto are our future at that position for many years to come.

 

That would be awesome.

 

With Barnes at second and emergency third catcher, which is a position he is not bad at, by the way.

 

Shoot ... let's hope these guys all pan out. :lol

 

 

That would be awesome.

 

With Barnes at second and emergency third catcher, which is a position he is not bad at, by the way.

 

Shoot ... let's hope these guys all pan out. :lol

 

 

Well, I hope they both work out. But even if one of them sets himself apart, and the other is still just good enough, I'll take it. it would be nice to have the same two backstops for many years, kinda like the Braves had with Javy Lopez and Eddie Perez back in the day...

I'm high on Wallach. College catcher, major league pedigree, I have a feeling he and Realmuto are our future at that position for many years to come.

 

Ideally Realmuto emerges as the starter by 2016, and Wallach is his reliable backup.

 

 

Ideally Realmuto emerges as the starter by 2016, and Wallach is his reliable backup.

 

 

 

Ideally Salty performs better in '15 and '16 as the starter and in '16 Realmuto is able to replace Mathis and get a year in as a part-time backstop before taking over the reigns. By '17 Wallach is ready to join him.

Ideally Salty performs better in '15 and '16 as the starter and in '16 Realmuto is able to replace Mathis and get a year in as a part-time backstop before taking over the reigns. By '17 Wallach is ready to join him.

 

Realistically Salty isn't going to be very good because historical evidence suggests he isn't very good, but suit yourself.

 

 

Realistically Salty isn't going to be very good because historical evidence suggests he isn't very good, but suit yourself.

 

He didn't say very good, he just said better. Which ... shouldn't be too hard.

 

 

He didn't say very good, he just said better. Which ... shouldn't be too hard.

 

I mean, sure, but it's pretty likely he will underperform his contract here.

 

 

I mean, sure, but it's pretty likely he will underperform his contract here.

 

Well, obviously. John Buck 2.0

 

 

I mean, sure, but it's pretty likely he will underperform his contract here.

 

 

Actually you could argue that even with how bad he ended up being last year he still actually outperformed $7 Mill. And it shouldnt be hard for him to be better the next two years.

Actually you could argue that even with how bad he ended up being last year he still actually outperformed $7 Mill. And it shouldnt be hard for him to be better the next two years.

 

 

 

based upon what?

 

he was terrible offensively.

 

he was terrible defensively.

 

 

If $7m was below league minimum, then yes.

 

 

based upon what?

 

he was terrible offensively.

 

he was terrible defensively.

 

 

 

Based on average $ per WAR.