in case you were wondering, Chris Stewart is currently hitting .270 with 3HR and 22RBI down in Charlotte. He's also got a .325OBP.

 

He also catches a majority of the games for the International League's 2nd best performing pitching staff. Obviously he doesnt get credit for all of that, but a 3.22ERA should warrant a callup here soon.

He's not going to be much of an offensive upgrade over Widger for anyone thinking otherwise.

pablo ozuna would make a more worthy catcher than widgy right now

Widge didn't get the bunt down either (Ozuna failed also)

Defensively Stewart is superior to anything we've had at the major league level in a few years (Olivo is the only guy with the defensive abilities similar to Stewart but obviously he struggled in the game calling area).

 

Stewart is going to be a good backup but he's not much of a hitter, however, he has made some serious strides offensively.

I'm pretty sure Stewart is on the radar to be the back-up next season, and is pretty likely to get called up when rosters expand, having a 3rd catcher would be nice. Obviously he's not a top prospect, but could be a solid back-up, and I doubt he would be any worse than Widger in any fase at this point. Who knows, if Widger throws out the runner on the pitchout the inning before, that's one less stressful out Contreras has to get and the next inning could have been different. It may be a stretch, but it is possible. The White Sox are one AJP injury away from being in serious trouble.

Edited July 20, 200619 yr by Dick Allen

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 05:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The White Sox are one AJP injury away from being in serious trouble.

I think a long BS supension from Bob Watson is more likely.

I'm pretty sure Stewart is on the radar to be the back-up next season, and is pretty likely to get called up when rosters expand, having a 3rd catcher would be nice. Obviously he's not a top prospect, but could be a solid back-up, and I doubt he would be any worse than Widger in any fase at this point. Who knows, if Widger throws out the runner on the pitchout the inning before, that's one less stressful out Contreras has to get and the next inning could have been different. It may be a stretch, but it is possible. The White Sox are one AJP injury away from being in serious trouble.

A lot of teams are one injury from their catcher away from serious trouble. Catching prospects are extremely hard to find because rarely does anyone have the complete package like a Mauer or a-in-prime Pudge. Victor Martinez is not a catcher, he is horrible defensively and does not call a good game, but he hits. Hank White is incredible defensively, but can't hit a lick (except for lefties.) So, finding catching prospects is difficult. Consider ourselves lucky with Stewart. He is the consummate back-up catcher. He calls a good game, is a superior defender and hits solid. He will be a very good back-up in the league for the next decade.

Will probably be up next season I would say.

 

If you want to replace Widger ATM, it would have to come from outside the organisation.

Widge didn't get the bunt down either (Ozuna failed also)

Widger didn't even try to bunt that at bat IIRC. He tried to bunt for a hit leading off an inning later in the game. Blew my fishing mind.

I know everyone is really down on Widge, but I'd just rather let him finish out the season with us. He at least does have playoff experience and knows how to play down the stretch of a season. I'd love to see Stewart up here next year, though, as the backup.

He's not going to be much of an offensive upgrade over Widger for anyone thinking otherwise.

defensively he should be.

QUOTE(dasox24 @ Jul 20, 2006 -> 07:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know everyone is really down on Widge, but I'd just rather let him finish out the season with us. He at least does have playoff experience and knows how to play down the stretch of a season. I'd love to see Stewart up here next year, though, as the backup.

What good is his experience if it was just sitting on his ass for almost ALL of the postseason. I remember him with a bases loaded walk, but that is it.

 

I'll ask again, if we have a player who is directly related to the struggles of our vaunted pitching staff, and we can upgrade him with a better game calling, better defensive, better throwing out base stealers, and better hitting player at a reduced cost, why in the world wouldn't you make that move?

 

By reduced cost I mean the Cubs being out of it, having their own young catcher in the minors, and having the backup guy cost more than your average backup catcher.

Widger didn't even try to bunt that at bat IIRC. He tried to bunt for a hit leading off an inning later in the game. Blew my fishing mind.

 

Bunting is how he got his last hit -- One month, four days, and 25 at-bats ago.