Monday, August 29, 2011

Two Big Steps For Thole

Josh Thole has had plenty of defensive adventures this season.  He is clearly still learning to be a catcher.  In the past week two things have happened that show Josh's progress as a catcher.

The first event was Thole catching Mike Pelfrey's start against the Phillies on Wednesday.  Pelfrey went six innings, giving up three runs and earning his first win since the end of July.  Thole had not caught Pelfrey since the beginning of the season and when he did - it never ended well.  Pelfrey has always needed a catcher he can trust and earlier this season, Josh Thole was not the guy.  Josh Thole getting through six successful innings with Pelfrey is nice evidence of Josh's growth.

The other big step for Thole came on Friday.  Chris Capuano threw a complete shutout.  Capuano had 13 strikeouts and after the game he credited Thole for calling a good game.  Thole has come a long way from the beginning of the season when pitchers would be leading the game.  Capuano pitched a gem and he gave credit to Thole. Capuano is veteran pitcher and he didn't have to say anything about Thole after the game.  During the game he didn't have to trust what Thole called.  But he did.  And that shows that pitchers are starting to feel more comfortable with Thole now.

The Mets future at catcher has been questioned and put down this season.  Perhaps there is still a glimmer of hope in Josh Thole.

Let's Go Mets!

No comments: