Mariners excited about young catchers

11/30/2005
The recent signing of Japanese free-agent catcher Kenji Johjima to a three-year contract probably won't have a negative impact on any of the rising young catchers in the Mariners' Minor League system -- including first-round draft choice Jeff Clement -- according to a high-ranking club official.
"I think what this does is allow us more patience," said Benny Looper, the Mariners director of player development and scouting. "We like all of our young catchers a lot, and when they're ready to play in the Major Leagues, they'll be there."
The game plan coming out of the 2005 season was to have Yorvit Torrealba -- acquired in a July 30 trade with the Giants for outfielder Randy Winn -- begin the '06 season as the main man behind the plate, backed up by 22-year-old Rene Rivera.
The popular theory was that Torrealba and Rivera would handle the catching duties until Clement became the regular catcher in 2007, or midway through the '08 season. If not Clement, then it might be 22-year-old Rob Johnson, a converted outfielder making a strong impression at his new position.
Both catchers are so highly regarded by the organization that before the ink dried on Johjima's three-year, $16.5 million contract, Looper called Johnson and director of scouting Bob Fontaine contacted Clement to explain why the Mariners signed the six-time Japan All-Star.
"They were concerned, and there was some disappointment," Looper said, "but both players were appreciative [of the calls]. They know they have a ways to go before they get to the big leagues, and understand the importance of continuing to work hard. I don't think either of them are going to let [Johjima's signing] affect them."
Fontaine added, "I think any time a player sees a major transaction like that, their first response is to wonder how it affects them. We talked to the kids to let them know they are on their own pace.
"Too many things can happen to worry, and Jeff will get to big leagues when he's ready. Trust me, he'll work just as hard. He's already a pro, and he's been one for less than a year."
"When they are ready to catch in the big leagues, whether in Seattle or somewhere else, somebody will come after them," said Roger Hansen, the Mariners' roving Minor League catching coach. "Good catching is so hard to find, and as long as they are always striving to become better, better and better, they will catch on somewhere."
Clement, the third overall selection in last June's First-Year Player Draft, made significant strides during his first professional season. After his University of Southern California team was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament by Oregon State in June, he took a few weeks off and eventually signed on July 26.
He spent less than a week at Class A Everett (Wash.) before being promoted to Class A Wisconsin, where he batted .319 with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 30 games. Clement ended the season with the Arizona Fall League Peoria Javelinas, where he was hitting well over .300 until a 3-for-17 skid near the end of the AFL season dropped his average to .298.
"Jeff needed a break," Looper said, adding that the organization was pleased with his progress.
"When his bat is ready, we'll find a place for him," he said. "We believe strongly in Jeff's ability to hit and also believe strongly in his ability to become a big-league catcher."
Looper suggested that even with Johjima on the team when Clement is ready for the big leagues, he could always catch a few games and become a part-time designated hitter.
"When we signed Jeff, there was a lot of talk about him getting to the big leagues in a hurry," Looper added. "I think this allows for more patience and gives us more flexibility while getting him prepared for the Major Leagues.
"Good left-handed-hitting catchers are hard to find."
The Mariners never have had a left-handed-hitting catcher reach double figures in home runs in a season -- Tom Lampkin hit nine in 1999.
"There's no doubt in my mind that both of these kids [Clement and Johnson] are going to make it to the Major Leagues, probably in two or three years," Hansen said. "Both are pretty close, and we also have Rene, another young catcher that already has some [MLB experience].
"Except for the three years I spent in Japan, I have been in this organization since 1987, and we've never had this 'problem' of so many outstanding young catchers. It's a good 'problem' to have."

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/