Without Ishbia bucks and the strong possibility of losing Mune, you take Lackey’s power and move Teel to another positionor trade him for pitching with Gonzalez and/or Carlson.

Problem is Teel’s value is depressed now, só off-season trade in all likelihood.

Fathom does have a point…look at all those Oregon State kids, Kwan at least until this season was the best choice of all and the lowest rated prospect along with Madrigal’s DP partner Cade Grenier.

But same arguments hold for UCLA. Gasparino could be a star or total bust.

8 hours ago, fathom said:

I’m disappointed in the lack of Charles Johnson comps solely due to race

What are you talking about?

3 hours ago, oldsox said:

What are you talking about?

Comp: JT Realmuto

A high average, plus defensive catcher, with above-average power, and elite athleticism for the catcher position? JT Realmuto is the only correct answer for that profile type.

https://pitcherlist.com/mlb-comps-for-the-2026-draft-class/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwinw7W_ls2UAxWCI0QIHQ4zMZkQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw3JOEXIsSV9rOugYDn62RWf

"This spring, he has raised his average exit velocity from 89.3 to 92.7, his barrel rate from 17.1% to 27%, while maintaining his elite contact rates and improving his chase rates. That improvement has raised his isolated power from a measly .153 to .329, which is 97th percentile in all of college baseball. After stealing 18 bases last spring, he has also thrown in nine this year for good measure. Every part of Lackey’s game that evaluators loved is still there, and every concern has been answered. He has the potential to be one of the best all-around catchers in the sport if his upward trajectory is maintained in professional baseball."

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by caulfield12

Top Ten Black Catchers of All Time Part 2 (#5 - #1)

This is the second article in a series where I will rank the top ten Black baseball players at each position.

By the way, Charles Johnson was only eighth.

So let's go with Josh Gibson, lol.

Who was "only" second...Roy Campanella the other obvious name was third.

Unicorn.

https://twinsdaily.com/minnesota-twins-free-agents-trade-rumors/mlb-draft-notes/vahn-lackey-gaining-momentum-for-twins-with-third-overall-pick-r357/

"His rise has not been a traditional one. Lackey was a late bloomer in high school and did not receive Division I offers until his senior year. Even in college, his development trajectory has continued to trend upward as he has added polish to both sides of his game.

Defensively, scouts believe there is still more room for growth..."

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by caulfield12

Lackey seems to have a lot of helium of late. If they truly think he can handle CF, it becomes an interesting debate.

4 hours ago, oldsox said:

What are you talking asbout?

making an obvious joke about the last black american catcher of note? nothing malicioius in that. it's like when every white euro player was compared to peja or ginobili for awhile. it's just sports cliches.

Just now, chitownsportsfan said:

making an obvious joke about the last black american catcher of note? nothing malicioius in that. it's like when every white euro player was compared to peja or ginobili for awhile. it's just sports cliches.

No love for TA?