Colorado Rockies Pleased With Depth and Talent at Catcher

Much of the attention surrounding the Colorado Rockies behind the plate heading into the 2017 season has focused on Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy. And that’s with good reason, of course. The duo is expected to split time behind the plate as Colorado’s main catchers this season.

However, as was evidenced on Monday in a 10-9 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Rockies have some solid depth at the catching position behind those two players as well.

Dustin Garneau and Anthony Bemboom both homered in the win over the Dodgers, showing that there’s plenty of power and talent waiting in the wings should something happen to Murphy or Wolters.

Heading into Tuesday’s action against the Texas Rangers, Garneau had two homers in just six spring at-bats. Bemboom’s homer on Monday was his first homer and hit of the spring in five plate appearances.

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While they may not have gotten much action on the field this spring, both have impressed Colorado manager Bud Black.

The 29-year-old Garneau has 138 at-bats at the Major League level and has compiled a .196 average. Still, Black likes what he has seen from Garneau.

“Dustin has done a nice job,” Black told Rox Pile. “A lot of guys, especially catchers who do so many drills, can look great in drills. A football player can run great routes in practice but it doesn’t translate over to games. Basketball players can do a nice crossover move in practice but it doesn’t show up in games. (Garneau’s) talent shows up in games. He’s calm. In between innings, he’s great to talk to. He has great clarity and sees the ball well. They’re working on a couple of things but he’s done a nice job.”

In this article, we discussed Colorado’s recent acquisition of Bemboom might be an “under-the-radar” move that could pay off for the Rockies in the future. On Tuesday, Black said that he helped push the Rockies toward grabbing the 27-year-old catcher who has never risen past the Triple-A level.

“Boomer, I knew him from last year in Anaheim. I made a little suggestion to our guys about Boomer,” Black recalled. “The Angels had him on the Double-A roster and we took him in the Rule 5 draft off their roster. The minor league managers who had him at Double-A and Triple-A really liked the way that he received.”

Black liked a lot of things he saw from Bemboom is his short time behind the plate on Monday against the Dodgers.

“He threw the ball great yesterday (against the Dodgers),” Black said. “A couple of stolen bases were on the pitcher. The play that ended the game was set up by him with a strong throw and strong footwork. He threw chest high to (Cristhian) Adames who threw it right back chest high to him for the play at the plate. He does some good things.”

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Depth is key at any position in any organization. It’s safe to say that Colorado feels confident in the group, in the present and the future, that they have assembled behind the plate.