 |
Sandy Leon DOB: 3/13/89 Ht. 5’11” Wt. 175 Bats: S Throws: R Career Stats |
After an injury-plagued, three-level season in 2012, Leon took a decided step backwards on offense in 2013 — going from an .856 OPS to .542 while playing in only 95 games. Defensively, his numbers were similar, which is critical because to even realize his ceiling as a backup, he cannot afford any diminishment of those skills. His inclusion is largely based on how thin the position is within the organization. |
 |
Pedro Severino Born: 7/20/93 Ht. 6’1″ Wt. 180 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
The injury to Spencer Kieboom opened the door for Severino, who was indeed challenged with the jump from the GCL to Low-A as a 19-y.o. He again showed modest improvements with the bat, showing a bit more power and striking out less. Unfortunately, he also took fewer walks. Against more elite baserunners, his CS% dropped from 43 to 40, which is still very good, but made more errors. Still, folks who’ve seen him vouch for his defensive prowess, likening him to backstops like Leon. |
 |
Matt Reistetter Born: 5/5/92 Ht. 5’10” Wt. 180 Bats: L Throws: R Career Stats |
Admittedly, this is a stretch. While the Nats didn’t draft him, they did talk the 21-y.o. into leaving Hofstra university as a junior to start his pro career as an NDFA last July and then played him nearly everyday for the final six weeks of the Auburn Doubleday season. His offensive numbers were good (.253/.337/.354) given those circumstances and defensively he threw out 8-of-16 would-be base thieves while committing just two errors. |
 |
Raudy Read Born: 10/29/93 Ht. 6’0″ Wt. 170 Bats: R Throws: R Career Stats |
He was sent stateside after two seasons in the DSL, but the “other 19-y.o. catcher” acquitted himself well as part of the 2013 G-Nat juggernaut. Unlike Severino, his offensive numbers declined slightly with the exceptions of BA and K rate. After making eight errors in his first season, Read has made two since for a career FA of .988. A challenge of Hagerstown seems less likely than Severino a year ago, but obviously is possible. |
This was at one time the big-time strength of the Nats system. Adding Nieto (hopefully) in the spring will help.
I’m cautiously optimistic that Leon has ‘fixed’ his hitting and will continue his winter league ways.
Looks like the Dominicans will be our long term hope.
Otherwise, we’re just like the other 27-28 clubs that don’t have enough catching in their system.
There’s a reason why guys like Corky Miller can play well into their 30s — teams are more than willing to keep them around, perhaps even pay a premium (his last listed contract was for $450K) to have as inventory, mentor, etc. Look at the guys the Nats have already signed for 2014 — Jeff Howell (turns 31 in April), Brian Jeroloman (turns 29 in May), Mitch Canham (turns 30 in September) — wouldn’t surprise me if two of them play out the season in the minors.