From The OCR Angels Blog - Conger's throwing an issue for Scioscia

[stormngt]

It is pretty funny that Scioscia has yet to develop a catcher that has been adequate at both hitting and catching since he became manager.

Bengie Molina anyone?

[Torridd]

I'm surprised Conger has made it this far. I really thought he would be out of the organization by now. Good to see him getting a legitimate shot. 

[stormngt]

But would you rather have Hank playing 40-50 games with the big club, or playing 120-130 in AAA where he can develop the consistency that he seems to be lacking. Or at least work on memorizing Victoria Secret's catalog's so he doesn't nearly take off Weaver's head again. 

How many more options does Conger have, can't be too many.

[YouthofToday]

Bengie first full season was the same year Scioscia got here, 2000. Bengie had a coffe cup in 1998 and 30 or so games in 1999. He was already developed by the time Scioscia got here. I'm sure Scioscia helped him when he arrived though.

[Sully151]

I get the feeling Scioscia just doesn't like Conger for whatever reason.

[Wallerrrr]

lol..whelp...Hank the tank wont be breaking camp with the Halos

[mike_hllywa]

How many more options does Conger have, can't be too many.

This year is his last option year, so the team is in a precarious situation with regards to Conger. But there were always questions as to whether or not he would remain behind the plate. He and the Angels are running out of time.

[DropOfAnaheim]

But for some reason he didn't seem to care about throwing the 4 years Mathis was behind the plate.

The throw to 1st on a steal was the culmination of years of Mike's jedi training. It is a close second in my heart, next to Aybar swinging and missing at a pitch that hit him in the gonads.

[Angel Oracle]

At this point, who is the best catching propsect on the farm to eventually backup Iannetta?

[DropOfAnaheim]

At this point, who is the best catching propsect on the farm to eventually backup Iannetta?

TROUT

[ELEVEN]

It is pretty funny that Scioscia has yet to develop a catcher that has been adequate at both hitting and catching since he became manager.

Cough...Bengie... cough... Molina... ack..

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Conger has already thrown a couple balls into the outfield on stolen base attempts this spring.

 

If he would just throw to first base instead, he would start at least half of our games.

[jshep]

At this point, who is the best catching propsect on the farm to eventually backup Iannetta?

 

Matt Scioscia is still playing baseball, right?

[HaloFan85]

Hank Napoli.

[DropOfAnaheim]

    Sometimes love happens but once in a lifetime...

[Richard]

When Conger misses, he misses by a mile.

[HeavenlyHalos]

Molina was already on the major league club before MS became manager.

 

Bengie Molina anyone?

[HeavenlyHalos]

Cough... already on the team... cough... before he was manager.... cough

 

We really have no idea what affect MS had on Molina who had already been developed in the minors and had some experience in the majors before MS came here. I'll give you him though since Mike arrived in 2000 and that is the year Bengie became the regular catcher. I would love to hear an interview of Molina talking about Scioscia's influence.

 

Cough...Bengie... cough... Molina... ack..

[tdawg87]

Vintage Scioscia.

[Docwaukee]

Of course MS should have done a much better job drafting catchers

[ScottT]

But would you rather have Hank playing 40-50 games with the big club, or playing 120-130 in AAA where he can develop the consistency that he seems to be lacking. Or at least work on memorizing Victoria Secret's catalog's so he doesn't nearly take off Weaver's head again. 

 

40-50 with the Angels, no question.  Conger is 25 and you should probably find out what he can do with a decent amount of major league playing time.  I like his chances of doing better than the other backup candidates.

[Taylor]

Conger is hitting .429 this Spring, which is much too high for a catcher. He should stay in AAA until he learns how to balance his offense and defense.

[YouthofToday]

What is Conger CERA damnit. That's all that matters.

[jshep]

Conger is hitting .429 this Spring, which is much too high for a catcher. He should stay in AAA until he learns how to balance his offense and defense.

 

Back in 2011 he said he was going to throw the hitting part out the window.

 

He clearly isn't trustworthy.

[mike_hllywa]

40-50 with the Angels, no question.  Conger is 25 and you should probably find out what he can do with a decent amount of major league playing time.  I like his chances of doing better than the other backup candidates.

 

If he didn't have "Major League Regular" upside, I'd be all for it. As a backup off the bench, he provides lefty pop which this team seriously lacks. But if his future IS behind the plate, then this last option year needs to be burned so his defense can catch up with his game calling abilities. Thanks to the arm injuries, he's only caught a total of 340 games in the minors, barely three seasons worth of what most backstops will provide, and that's over a seven year period. 

 

If he becomes the sole backup option with the Angels, he's a bust and so be it. But why not see if the team can drain any sort of trade value they can out of him if he starts to show the consistency that he is supposedly showing while on the practice field?