Tag: Ryan lavarnway

A Sort-of-Positive Look at Ryan Lavarnway’s September

Post author By Kivus
Post date September 18, 2012

> With the expected bumps in BABIP and power, Lavarnway should be a good major-league hitter, especially compared to what he’s doing now. However, he still has work to do until the team can trust him to produce at that level on a consistent basis. … While Lavarnway’s numbers suggest a rebound is highly possible for next year, he still has to prove he’s capable of doing it on a full-time basis. For this reason, I would keep both catchers on the roster next year. If Lavarnway bounces back as is expected of him next year, Saltalamacchia could be trade bait at the deadline. Until then, though, it’ll be interesting to watch Lavarnway’s progress. His September that was supposed to be a showcase for him has been a failure, but there is still plenty of hope for him moving forward.

Obviously I would have preferred if Lavarnway hit as well as Will Middlebrooks did when he was called up, but at least *Over the Monster* gives me some hope for next season.

Tags red sox, Ryan lavarnway

Sports

What to watch for the rest of the Red Sox Season

Post author By Kivus
Post date August 28, 2012

The top of my list includes:

> **Can Ryan Lavarnway Catch:** Ryan Lavarnway has been a favorite of ours here at Over the Monster. The Yale product did not start catching until he was in college and has been dogged by questions about his ability to stick at the position since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. This season he made enormous strides behind the plate, being named the best defensive catcher in the International League by AAA coaches. Even with that honor on his resume, Red Sox fans have gotten a look at some of the challenges he faces as he transitions to the role of a big league catcher since his call up at the start of August

and one of my favorite players to watch:

> Che-Hsuan Lin is a 23 year old from Twain prospect who brings elite defensive ability, excellent speed and a very patient approach at the plate to the table. All of that would make Lin an extremely intriguing player if he had some ability to drive the ball. Lin has struggled to produce reasonable batting averages at the AAA level thus far. In two seasons at that level and almost 800 plate appearances Lin has just a .241/.325/.304 line. He does square the ball up well and he has virtually no power in his swing. However, he makes a great deal of sense for the 2013 as the fifth outfielder and top pinch running and defensive replacement option. Even with his poor hitting skills, his strike zone judgment helps him get on base and once there, he is an excellent runner stealing 145 bases in six minor league seasons while getting caught just 45 times. For a team that has gotten away from the grinding, patient approach that brought the Red Sox their greatest successes, Lin is certainly worth a look and deserves some consideration for the final bench spot.

Seeing Lin live is incredible. He gets to balls that you would think no one has a prayer of reaching. I hope he can prove he has enough of a bat to get him in the lineup.