Speaking at the San Francisco Giants\u2019 Spring Training complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tony Vitello made it clear that the competition for the backup catcher role is very much underway.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, it is just that, competition,\u201d the Giants’ first-year manager said. \u201cYou got varying degrees of experience back there.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Vitello pointed to Daniel\u00a0Susac\u2019s baseball background and Eric Haase\u2019s veteran presence as examples of the depth in camp. \u201cSusac comes from a really good baseball family,\u201d he said, while adding that Haase \u201chas got a strong reputation\u201d for how he handles himself behind the plate.<\/p>\n
For Vitello, that internal push is intentional. \u201cOptions are always a good thing,\u201d he said. \u201cI think internally you got some guys that\u2019ll push each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked whether he prefers a defense-first backup catcher \u2014 especially with an elite defender like Patrick Bailey starting \u2014 Vitello didn\u2019t hesitate.<\/p>\n
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Video courtesy of NBC Sports Bay Area & California.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs it stands now, my background has always been defense first with that position,\u201d he said, referencing his early coaching days as a pitching coach. \u201cThose guys are so essential in so many different ways. But if they can contribute defensively, then everything they do offensively, to me, is icing on the cake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bailey\u2019s defensive reputation is well established, and Vitello called his recent work \u201coff the charts.\u201d Offensively, the evaluation is more nuanced.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI think you look at his BP\u2026 it\u2019s a clean swing, quite frankly, impressive,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cHe feels really good about where he\u2019s at with his swing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rather than overhauling mechanics, Vitello believes the next step is mental. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about being a confident hitter,\u201d he explained. \u201cIt\u2019s managing the weight of the catcher gear, literally, but more figuratively of that position. It\u2019s a balancing act.\u201d<\/p>\n
Repetition, he added, is critical. \u201cAs a hitter, at any level, repetitions are the most valuable thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The potential impact of the automated ball-strike (ABS) system also surfaced. Vitello acknowledged the unknowns. \u201cI don\u2019t think we know until we see it,\u201d he said. Still, his evaluation remains simple: \u201cIf I\u2019m a pitcher, I\u2019d want to throw to that guy.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for weighing familiarity with the organization when selecting a backup, Vitello said it factors in \u201ca little bit,\u201d but ultimately, \u201cit just becomes more the best person for the job.\u201d<\/p>\n
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