Conger should be our primary catcher

[Ohtaniland]

Hank Conger is finally showing that he's ready to take the top spot. His command behind the plate is evolving each and every game. He can frame a pitch and has thrown out 39% of the base stealers. He's hitting a respectable .259 so it's time for Conger to get the bulk of the starts.    

[desiderata]

Batting: Conger v RHP, Ianetta v LHP

 

Edit:  I do like the fact that Conger throws people out at a much higher rate, fo sho.

[JAHV76]

Never happen. Sosh and JD prefer Iannetta hence the three year del.

[dicknanes]

Iannetta: .220/.368/.361 in 242 PAs

And here are his splits on LHP vs RHP

.197/.352/.315 (RHP in 159 PAs

.266/.398/.453  (LHP in  83 PAs)

 

Conger: .257/.302/.440 in 116 PAs

And his splits:

.284/.320/.495 (RHP in 100 PAs)

.071/.188/0.71 (LHP in 16 PAs)

 

Though the sample size is too small for Conger versus LHP, I tend to agree that Platooning seems to work  best. 

Obviously Conger is showing more defensive prowess and is showing more power, while Ianetta is a walk machine, which are both valuable in their own ways. Definitely we are not in a bad position when it comes to the catching position, but Ianetta isn't showing his best this year defensively...

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Besides, the catcher is more heavily involved in the game than any position player on the field. Because of the potential for injury, you don't want to overplay one catcher unless your second catcher is of the Jeff Mathis mold. Iannetta at least isn't an offensive black hole, and it gives Conger time to further develop.

[mancini79]

Is there a catcher that the SP prefers? That should be the priority.

[Second Base]

I wouldn't mind seeing Conger paired up with Weaver and Wilson while Iannetta takes Vargas and Blanton.  They could split Richards and Williams evenly. 

[seenoevil]

Good thing Mathis is off the team or Conger would had never gotten a shot

[Brent Maguire]

Iannetta walks a ton so he should still be getting starts but I think it's clear Hank should be getting more reps at this point. 

[Mile High Dreams]

Conger has 14 rbi's this season in 112 ab's. Iannetta has 27 in 191....perhaps we're all getting ahead of ourselves....perhaps.

[Halos of Anaheim]

Conger has 14 rbi's this season in 112 ab's. Iannetta has 27 in 191....perhaps we're all getting ahead of ourselves....perhaps.

RBIs lol.

[Angel Oracle]

41 RBIs in 300 at bats isn't bad, given that they hit low in the order.

[Ohtaniland]

Besides, the catcher is more heavily involved in the game than any position player on the field. Because of the potential for injury, you don't want to overplay one catcher unless your second catcher is of the Jeff Mathis mold. Iannetta at least isn't an offensive black hole, and it gives Conger time to further develop.

I'm pretty sure that Chris IaNEEDa break won't be starting at least 100 games at catcher again this season for the 6th time in his career since becoming a starting catcher.

[Scott34]

Conger is becoming what we thought he would become back in 2011.  A solid hitting catcher, with meh skills behind the plate.  The fact that he is improving behind the plate bodes well for the future because that was supposed to be his one downfall.  Iannetta might be able to be dealt this off-season with a team friendly contract. 

[monkeywithahalo]

A platoon seems like the optimal solution given the limitations of both players, but part of me wonders what Conger could do in a full-time role. We have all been so focused on his defense that it seems like we forgot that he was originally drafted as a guy who could have a big bat, and not just for a catcher. He's showing the power as of late and has demonstrated better plate discipline in the minors than we've seen so far.

[Ohtaniland]

I also believe that Iannetta at age 30 has maxed out his potential and won't get any better so they need to let Conger take the lead role. Iannetta can come in every 4th or 5th game.

[Angel Oracle]

Conger's CS% has sure been impressive so far in 2013.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

A platoon seems like the optimal solution given the limitations of both players, but part of me wonders what Conger could do in a full-time role. We have all been so focused on his defense that it seems like we forgot that he was originally drafted as a guy who could have a big bat, and not just for a catcher. He's showing the power as of late and has demonstrated better plate discipline in the minors than we've seen so far.

 

One of my main concerns is that he doesn't hit lefties - at all. His average against them gives me Mathis flashbacks.

[Corona]

RBIs lol.

RBI's are dependent on the circumstances so its easy to dismiss, but Conger has been pretty bad with runners on. Not to say Iannetta has been much better. I say keep the platoon going. Conger has more power but Iannetta gets on base more.

[CaliAngel]

Pumped to see a post like this.

 

Love me a catcher with a high CS % and love me a catcher with some power in the batters box. Happy to see him get better the more he plays. 

 

I've been rooting for Conger since I've seen him come up for the Angels. He's a local grown prospect (Grad of HB High) and has been with the Angels since day one of his ML career. He seems like a great guy who can lead our pitching, and keeps the team loose with his young perspective and personality. Nothing but the best for King Cong!

[tdawg87]

Conger has absolutely earned a shot as the primary starting catcher. I'm still not sold on his defense but he isn't any worse than Iannetta back there.

If he could be a regular .260/.330/.440 hitter while playing average D behind the plate, he'll be a valuable guy to have.

[AngelsFaninGA]

Iannetta is batting .220 with RISP, Conger is batting .227. Also, Iannetta has 50 at-bats with RISP, while Conger has only 22, so obviously Iannetta will have more RBI's.

[Glen]

I'd be in favor of this just because seeing Conger makes me feel happy.  He's so dang cute.

[Angel Oracle]

Give Conger three pitchers to regularly work with from now on.

Then trade Iannetta and bring in a veteran catcher who doesn't see defense as a 4 letter word, while at least hitting somewhat significantly better than Mathisn't ever did.