 |
| Photo Credit: Spokane Indians |
Add another name to the list of former Stony Brook stars on the verge of making it to the big leagues. Just two weeks ago, Travis Jankowski was promoted and now it’s catcher Patrick Cantwell–who was promoted to Triple-A Round Rock by the Texas Rangers.
Cantwell was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft by the Rangers, shortly before the Sea Wolves magical run to the College World Series.
He already had a reputation as one of the best defensive catchers in Long Island history thanks to his days at West Islip high school. Being that he played in League III against my Centereach team, I witnessed him throw out a runner attempting to move to second on a wild pitch. That pitch went all the way to the backstop. His arm is incredibly strong and he has been lauded for his game-calling and pitch-receiving ability.
In this era of advanced stats, teams are much more cognizant of catchers that can steal borderline pitches and also limit base runners from taking extra bases.
To this point in his career, it has been his defense that has carved his way through the minors, because his bat has not progressed the way it did in college. He hit .290 in ’12, with a .392 OBP and 34 RBI.
Thus far in his three-year pro career, he has hit only .242 with a .322 OBP and .637 OPS.
Working in his favor is that the Rangers traded their top catching prospect, Jorge Alfaro, in the Cole Hamels trade which bodes well for Cantwell’s chances of being promoted to the big club.
Jeff Thompson
Hey, what do you think of DFS and websites like https://www.fantasysportsdaily.com/ covering them?
Vinny Messana
I am a fan, email me at baseballontheisland@gmail.com