Closser overhyped

[slomo007]

That Jason Giambi pic is hilarious!

[AcidRock23]

I'd have to suspect that being tall would be an anomaly among catchers as a tall catcher is quite a bit more likely to get clipped by a bat.

[TheYanks04]

LOL...Flaxseed oil.

[stumpak]

I think Carlton Fisk was like 6'3 or so, if you consider that tall.

[blankman]

Look at Alfonso Soriano. The guy looks, relatively, like a twig out there and he's been close to 40 HR a few times. There's a ton more to power than height and weight.

[CubsFan7724]

Height and weight as your argument? Thats pretty weak.

[kev921]

Just remember the hype for Ben Petrick!

With the Rockies, you've got to wait to see if they produce. Besides Helton, who have they brought up from their farm system that has been successful?

[Ron Santo]

Petrick was a washout, but it was later revealed that he had Parkinson's or some such- so he gets a pass

I've tempered my expectations for Closser, but certainly not because of his height and weight. I expect numbers around this:

JD Closser- 2005 Prediction
.280 average
65 runs
12 HR's
55 RBI's

Not great numbers, but solid production out of a late round pick if you miss out on the top catchers.

[curious_george_43545]

Yogi Berra was 5'8", and he wasn't half bad...

Who is this Yogi Berra you speak of?


Not to mention power doesn't jsut come from having tons of muscles in your arms and being huge. Usings your legs to drive and having quick wrists are among the important factors. I mean look at the best home run hitter of all time...was Hank that big. I mean come on he was just consistent and knew how to hit. Not to mention Closser is more of a BA catcher.....hmmmm a Johnny Estrada if you will.

P.S. I'm very proud of the fact in a little league game when I weighed 4 Foot 11 inches 85 ish pounds I hit a home run on a 205 fence

[Grouperman941]

FWIW, CBS lists him at 5-11 175.

Either way, He is at an age where he can still thicken up quite a bit.