Hank Conger's role on this team

[Oz27]

Needs to be seriously reduced. A .457 OPS from his past 38 starts, a .232 OBP in away games this season and monthly OPS totals from June to August of .513, .521 and .293 indicates something pretty clearly...that he can't hit. It's not like he makes up for it with the glove either. Why is he not being treated like a true backup catcher, playing in only day game after night game scenarios or at other times when Iannetta truly needs a rest? It's like the Mathis scenario, except at least Mathis was useful defensively.

[The God of Runs]

Trade Conger for Mathis straight up

[ispy45]

Some pitchers on our staff pitch better with Conger.Hector is one of them.

[nando714]

Throw John Buck a bone. He can't be any worse right now

[tennischmp]

Iannetta can't catch

[Jeff M]

Then Santiago needs to learn how to pitch better with Ianetta catching.

[AngelsFanForever]

He is a dumpster fire at the plate right now. Totally clueless at bats. Buck must not look very good if they are keeping Conger in his role. Even Conger's defense sucks.

[Guest]

We may need to go for a catcher in free agency. There are a couple names I have in mind, but instead of naming them at the risk of suffering a lengthy ban, I will merely post a list of catchers in the 2015 free agent class and let you all read between the lines:

 

Catchers

John Buck (34)
Ryan Doumit (34)
Nick Hundley (31) – $5MM club option
Gerald Laird (35)
Russell Martin (32)
Jeff Mathis (32) – $1.5MM club option
Wil Nieves (36)
Miguel Olivo (36)
A.J. Pierzynski (38)
David Ross (38)
Geovany Soto (32

Edited August 23, 2014 by ScottLux

[wopphil]

I don't get it, Conger looked so good, so confident, earlier this year.

[martinpa25]

What about that kid in the farm? I believe it's Bandy? Is he any ready?

[UndertheHalo]

I don't think we should be so quick to jump ship on Conger, the guy has a good bat it just isn't showing up right now. I think he just cant get going with the playing time that he gets. Catchers that have some pop aren't exactly common. He's still pretty young.

[Docwaukee]

It's ironic that Conger value is now centered around his ability to handle certain pitchers and that his offense is a liability.  

[ItzTacosYerrp]

I think i saw somewhere that he was like 3rd best pitch framer

Thats pretty much it tho

[Inside Pitch]

I don't get it, Conger looked so good, so confident, earlier this year.

He always does that -- then he always craters..   

Conger career OPS by month

 

M/Apr - .828

May - .637

June - .659

July - .567

Aug - .620

Sept - .525

Edited August 23, 2014 by Inside Pitch

[stevestevens]

Why is he not being treated like a true backup catcher, playing in only day game after night game scenarios or at other times when Iannetta truly needs a rest? It's like the Mathis scenario, except at least Mathis was useful defensively.

He has been lately. With no days off, hank is going to play sporadically. Chris caught the entire red sox series and then sat out after a cross country flight with a righty pitching. The next two pitchers for oakland are lefties so last night was the only night conger could get a start

[eligrba]

Need starting pitching and a catcher for next season.  Make a note.

 

Maybe a third baseman who is still ambulatory.

[Angel Oracle]

Conger can feel free to hit an occasional pitch to LCF/CF.

This constant pulling has to stop.

He has the power to hit the ball the other way.

[CAAngelsLifer]

Hundley would be nice. We already grabbed Street. Do the Padres want to unload Cashner too? We could just have all of their best players from 2014. Heck... Even Headley at 3rd. 

[Angelsjunky]

I wonder if Hank would do better with regular at-bats, to get a rhythm going. I still think he's capable of hitting .270/.750, which is very good for a catcher.

 

I'm also happy with our current catcher duo. It isn't a strength but its not a weakness. I think the offseason should be more focused on strengthening the rotation and figuring out what to do with 3B.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Angelsjunky

[fan_since79]

I think i saw somewhere that he was like 3rd best pitch framer

Thats pretty much it tho

 

That's not a small thing, with all the bad calls from many of these umpires.

[Lou]

Hundley would be nice. We already grabbed Street. Do the Padres want to unload Cashner too? We could just have all of their best players from 2014. Heck... Even Headley at 3rd. 

 

We'd have to ask thw the Yankees about Headley

[nikkachez]

I agree, the team should look at alternatives. Need someone more defense oriented with pop. Jett Bandy in AA looks like he could be a stud backup catcher. He's got  .347 OBP with 12 homeruns in a very pitcher friendly park and he's thrown out 41% of potential base stealers this year. I say let him get a chance or maybe pluck up Robinson Chirinos from the Rangers. Conger's pitch framing isn't outweighing everything else he does poorly. 

[dimitrig]

Still too early to give up on this guy. He's clearly not a starter at this point, but he's okay for a backup. Let him develop. He still has potential upside. He's still just 26 and catchers are hard to come by.

[Butcher'd]

They should have signed Russell Martin. Very good catcher