Blake Murphy Sports Writing

Title: Why the Jays Should Call Up Curtis Thigpen
Date: May 24, 2007
Original Source: The On Deck Circle
Synopsis: Another one that looks embarrassing now, but the logic would still apply today with any similar roster composition.

A few years ago the Blue Jays had a young stud catcher in the minor leagues. At age 25, he had a cannon for an arm, had game calling abilities well beyond his age, and was the best defensive catching prospect around. With a catching platoon of Greg Myers and Ken Huckaby struggling with minor injuries and old age, the Jays took a chance on calling this prospect catcher up a bit early. He would go on to bat .172 in 113 games over parts of four seasons in the majors. This prospect was Kevin Cash, now an infamous bust and inside joke among Jay fans.

Undrafted out of Florida State University, Cash rose quickly through the Jays farm system despite poor hitting numbers at all levels. His defense and ability to call a game was strong enough that a .250 average in the minors wasn’t enough to deter a call up. A lot of people look at the Kevin Cash call-up as a strong incentive to keep players in the minors until they are fully developed. That is, the majority of baseball executives have since become very risk averse with their young talent, only calling them up when absolutely certain or when their hand is forced. I can’t say for certain, but it would appear the Jays are taking this approach with another young catching prospect, Curtis Thigpen.

Drafted out of the University of Texas (Longhorns, what!), the 23 year old is already up to Triple-A Syracuse and is riding a wave of success in the minors. Like Cash, his defense and intelligent game calling have been the reason for him to advance through the minors. Another part of this, too, is a lack of depth in catching prospects in the Jays farm system. Again, like Cash, Thigpen struggled at the plate while rising through the minors, hitting just .259 at Double-A and .264 at Triple-A last season. He also managed 6 home runs and 5 stolen bases with 45 RBI, numbers Cash never really sniffed. Looking at the career paths so far, it would look as if a little more grooming in the minors is necessary for Thigpen.However, Thigpen wasn’t signed (drafted) based on his defensive skills. He was drafted because he’s a speedy catcher who has power potential and a decent bat. This year, Curtis has started to show that off a lot more with the Chiefs, hitting .314 through 35 games. The power is still a ways away (he has just 3 homers and 8 doubles), but other statistics shed light on his progress. Most importantly, he has a strikeout to walk ratio of 13 to 11. For those unaware, this means Thigpen has only struck out 13 times in 121 at bats, a very impressive clip, especially for a 23 year old catcher.

The knock on Thigpen is that his arm is still a bit erratic and his power is not fully developed yet. I have a response to both of these: who cares? Right now the Jays platoon of Jason Phillips and Sal Fasano is hitting just .225 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI while playing less than stellar defense.

I am a large believer that there is no better way to prepare for major league action than major league action. While Curtis is still just 23, his performance would likely be on par with or better than our current platoon. The experience would also be crucial in his development as he is very clearly our catcher of the future. Gregg Zaun is getting up there in age and down there in skill, and 2008 is the projected date for Thigpen to make it to the majors. With the barrage of injuries we’ve had, the team’s subpar performance, and Thigpen’s emergence as a dangerous hitter, now is the time to call him up. Like I said, the experience will be invaluable. Besides, at Triple-A right now he loses some playing time as the team tries to keep catcher Eric Kratz fresh (he is also a prospect, but likely a future back-up). It’s gotten so tight for playing time, actually, that Thigpen has started several games at second base (note: I love that he has the skills to do this, versatility is a virtue). Also at Triple-A, with Sal and Phillips at the major league level, Curtis is not getting any veteran help to guide his development.

A promotion to the majors could do wonders for Thigpen. He is hitting well enough this season to warrant the promotion. He would learn a lot more from the catchers at the major league level. The experience would be invaluable for the coming seasons. The ship has kind of sailed on us making the playoffs, anyways. I think it’s high time the Blue Jays option Sal and his Pals back down to Syracuse and give this youngster a shot, at least until Zaun returns.

Then again, Kevin Cash is still fresh in the minds of the Blue Jays brass.