Before I get into the Title above I always like to recognize scouts from other organizations that I am scouting with where ever I'm at. So as you know I'm in SF watching the Giants and the D-Backs. I've been lucky every where I go there has been many scouts, so I'm proably not gonna be able to fool-em, hopefully I will be able to out work them, but most of all there good guys out working loyally for there organizations. Dick Balderson former GM of the Seattle Mariners now a ML scout for the Braves. Frankie Mattox-Mariners, The great Shooty Babbit a very hard worker for the NY Mets.The clasyy Pat Jones Of the Kansas City Royals and the personable Scott Bream of the Detroit Tigers. Its always fun to see whom I will run into at the park.
Now the nuts and bolts of this blog- I first of all want to Thank everyone that has contacted me. Boy I wish I could really talk about the Major Leagues its players and what Wayne Krivsky is thinking but I won't do that because like I've told you I am very loyal to Wayne and I'm here for the same reason he is here to help build the Cincinnati Reds into a championship caliber performing team for years.
Its amazing how the responses I've gotten have been about are the REDS looking for a catcher. We like every other team are searching and evaluating players everyday that could possibly help our club. On catching if we were to obtain a catcher for me the defensive part of his game would have to be strong. You definately want a player with leadership ability and the skills to be able to run a game and communicate and develop your pitchers. I like a strong armed catcher that has a chance to throw out atleast 35% of the runners that will run. But the most important part of finding a catcher would be I would want a strong person physically and mentally that will be able to stand the type of heat-humidity that Cincinnati summers bring. A player that has already played in these type of conditions that has already been through it and showed he can withstand the heat and humidity. Our group of catchers have done a great job- Ross, Bako and Valentin. Catching is hard to come buy guys and gals.
Speaking of Catchers- the Giants Molina has been around for a long time. Solid guy hits homeruns but is by far the slowest runner in the Major Leagues. He is in SF watching the Giants try and turn there organization around and into a young organization, I've been particulary impressed by the way he treats the fans and will sign autographs and talk to fans like he's known them a lifetime. Its to bad that his game is beginning to slip like his older teammates.
The game lasted until 4PM so I got to deal with Bay Area Traffic my home is exactly 167 miles from AT&T Park and I got home at 7:17 to be greeted by my dogs but no family. A taco salad on the counter with an I love you we'll be home at 9. My daughter Lauren is doing a bible drive for her SR project at Colfax HS. She worked last summer at the Dream Center in Inner City Los Angeles last summer and it was a life changing experience for her, so her and my wife are on the hunt for Bibles, so they can give them to kids and adults that can't afford them.
I'm gonna sleep fast because I have to drive back to SF for the 12:35 game and then cross the bridge and see Oakland and Seattle at 7PM tomorrow night. I will spend the night at my parents house in Petaluma save the Reds some expense money for hotels and enjoy my parents.
Just heard our final in Chicago. LOSING SUCKS. You get a chance take a look at Eric Byrnes he's on a hit streak so he won't shave- he has the weakest mustache you could possibly have--- but you never want to mess with a streak.
Peace
Butch Baccala
Major League Scout
Cincinnati Reds
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