Prospect Insider - Catricala working through struggles

Catricala working through struggles

By Alex Carson

By 05-17-2012

Vinnie Catricala, the Prospect of the Year here at Prospect Insider for 2011, still began the spring as a bit of an unknown. He then turned into a surprise story that broke out and captured the attention of M's fans and local media.

After a strong Cactus League run that saw him bop a couple homers and put up a near-.900 OPS, eyebrows raised.

Catricala earned his assignment to Triple-A Tacoma and had many folks excited about his offensive potential.

Through 37 games and 159 trips to the dish in 2012, Catricala might feel like he's having something of an out-of-body experience this season. What's behind the struggles?

"Obviously, the pitchers are a lot smarter up here," Catricala reasoned regarding his new level. "With that being said, though, I haven't felt like I've shown up yet. I feel like I haven't been present the entire time. I haven't felt like my normal self."

While Catricala's line this season doesn't look sexy (.204/.258/.265), he's shown a more life at the plate since the month of May arrived. He had a nice stretch where he collected hits in seven of 10 games. Included in that span were four of his seven extra-base hits, including his lone homer on the season.

Despite the struggles it doesn't seem to have consumed the way he goes about things.

"I couldn't tell you what my numbers are," he said. "It's just one of those things I try not to get wrapped up in."

When looking through those statistics, however, one thing stands out. Pressure situations have not fazed Catricala this season. In 73 plate appearances with runners on base, he's hitting at a much more respectable .263/.305/.368 clip.

With runners in scoring position, he's seen his most success running a triple slash of .298/.320/.426 and collecting four of those aforementioned extra-baggers. The sample may only be 42 at-bats, but it's nice to see that the kid's struggles have not affected him during key moments.

When asked about his success in clutch scenarios, he recalled a chat he had recently with Tacoma Rainiers' manager Daren Brown.

"I was talking with skip the other day and he was telling me 'you seem like you compete with runners on base.' I couldn't explain it. I guess it's just a matter of concentrating a little bit more and bearing down."

In his young professional career, the Sacramento native has been pretty honest about his game. He mentioned that he needs to find a way to apply that bear-down mentality more in his other at-bats, just as he's acknowledged multiple times this year that he let his defense slip in the past while he focused on his plate skills.

When asked about his defense he indicated for the first time he really felt good about an aspect of his game.

"It's funny, coming into the season everyone was talking about my defense. Now my defense is way ahead of my offense. I feel completely confident over there (at third base). I'm making plays. So now it's just a matter of getting it all going."

What I've seen this season while watching Catricala in the field has included good reactions to the ball off the bat. He appears alert and prepared before each pitch, starting in a good position and finishing the play. He can appear tentative when coming in on the ball; he gets to it and sets his feet before making strong throws, so the mechanics of it all are there.

There's certainly not a lack of effort to improve his glove work, either. He's been among the first few on the field pre-game, taking lots of ground balls. He knows, though, that there's more to it than pre-game grounders.

"I can take as many fungos as I want, but when you're playing third base balls get hit at you pretty hard. That first step is real important."

That first step is where the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Catricala shows weakness, however. Scouts generally assess his defense as so-so, adequate if he hits or passable, for those on the optimistic edge. Others opine that he belongs in left field or at first base and wouldn't spend another day with him at the hot corner.

Overall, Catricala is experiencing the first struggles of his professional career at the plate. He hit .301/.363/.493 in 2009, .302/.386/.488 in year 2 and .349/.421/.601 split between Advanced-A and Double-A last season. That he's experiencing them with a positive attitude and continues to put in the hard work that's needed to become a well-rounded ballplayer is a great sign, though.

Hitters hit, and most talent evaluators believe Catricala is a hitter.

We'll check back with Catricala later this season and have him reassess his game. Maybe then we'll see that glow of confidence surround his work at the plate, too.

Photo by Alex Carson
Video by Adam H. Wong

catricala-working-through-struggles

Comments
The following 2 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: maqman on 05-18-2012 11:39:27
I hope the kid can figure it all out eventually, he looked like he had a future after last season.

2. By: MarkE17 on 05-18-2012 18:21:50
I've been to most of the home games and it seems most of his hits have been blooped into right field. He appears to be getting jammed quite a bit. I've only seen a handful of solid hits from him.

You are not currently logged in. If you'd like to comment on this report, please log in.
Haven't created a Prospect Insider account yet? Sign up!