Caleb Joseph: just a backup, or plausible future starter?

[VeveJones007]

0.9 WAR (Fangraphs) in a quarter of a season.

[BarclaySouthway]

Good thread bump here. Joseph has made himself a quality starting catcher. Clearly, he's a hard worker. And in interviews, he comes across as upbeat, thoughtful and intelligent. Seems like a great teammate. It's nice when a new player is better than advertised. That rarely happened during the dark days, but it's been a much more regular occurence over the last 3+.

Good day to cherry-pick a stat: Right now, Caleb is 3rd in wOBA among AL catchers (100 PA).

[sportsfan8703]

Joseph has definitely proven himself to be a starter. Just we are riding him into the ground. Hopefully that changes once MW comes back and things are a little more balanced out.

[sfosfan]

Caleb can definitely hit well enough to be a starter, so no he's not destined to be a backup. His can't throw out runners like Matt, but few can. I think it's still a bit early to make judgements as to what Caleb brings. My gut is telling me that Caleb will improve his defense (including throwing out runners) over the year to where he will be at least an average major league catcher defensively. That level of defense with his offense, will ensure Caleb stays in the majors a while.

The more interesting questions are still a mystery- what will Matt be worth when his contract is up and do the O's think they have internal replacements ready to go? I'm not missing Matt as much as I thought, but there is so much I don't appreciate about that position to make an informed guess as to what the O's will do. I'm just happy to see Caleb is here and hitting well- we'd be really up a creek if not.

[Frobby]

Caleb's big weakness is pitch blocking. Wieters is far better at that aspect of catching. But he's good at everything else.

[Il BuonO]

Caleb's big weakness is pitch blocking. Wieters is far better at that aspect of catching. But he's good at everything else.

He made a very good block of the ball that led to the feed to Drake for the out at the plate. I wouldn't say it's a big weakness, just isn't his strong suit.

I think people have written off Wieters prematurely. Joseph is better than what we expected and Wieters isn't the savior people expected him to be. Much easier to like the guy you didn't have any expectations of performing to a high level.

[berettafan]

Not sure if a better blocker might've killed that ball and not had to shovel to pitcher in the first place.

How about the foot down to block the plate on that? Made the play.

[Scrat1]

Can anyone think of another surprise like Joseph to come out of the Orioles farm system? He's been absolutely crucial.

[scOtt]

Plausible because Caleb is halfway decent and no way Wieters is back next year. Joseph works for me.

[canonfaz]

I think Joseph and Clevenger will make a really good tandem at catcher for us until Sisco is ready.

[scOtt]

I think Joseph and Clevenger will make a really good tandem at catcher for us until Sisco is ready.

Stand pat there so we can spend the free money elsewhere.

[Rene88]

Caleb's big weakness is pitch blocking. Wieters is far better at that aspect of catching. But he's good at everything else.

So there's your answer. He IS good enough and in case people haven't noticed with some rest, he swings a hot bat. His bat has bee better than MW's.

I am fine with him and local boy Stevie Clevenger.

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[sportsfan8703]

Plausible because Caleb is halfway decent and no way Wieters is back next year. Joseph works for me.

Joseph and Clevenger will give you at least the same production as MW just a 1/12 the cost. Our farm system has produced Manny, Schoop, and Joseph as starters in the MLB in the last 3 years. With Alvarez, Urrutia, Walker and Mancini all likely to compete for spots in ST.

[scOtt]

Joseph and Clevenger will give you at least the same production as MW just a 1/12 the cost. Our farm system has produced Manny, Schoop, and Joseph as starters in the MLB in the last 3 years. With Alvarez, Urrutia, Walker and Mancini all likely to compete for spots in ST.

Half the cost for BOTH guys vs. Matt. 1/4 the cost.