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Backup player proves to be a power leader among league's catchers
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Friday, Aug 29, 2008
Kelly Shoppach is becoming the backup catcher who could, the underdog running with the German shepherds and the Dobermans.
The Indians' No. 2 catcher has been No. 1 behind the plate since Victor Martinez underwent arthroscopic surgery on his elbow in June. At first, Shoppach thrived at the plate, then he stumbled, then he rallied to where he is one the leading home run hitters among all major-league catchers.
Shoppach has hit five home runs during the Tribe's 10-game winning streak, lifting his season total to 17, which ranks third in the big leagues for catchers, even those who play every day.
The only catchers who have more homers than Shoppach are Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves, with 21 in 422 at-bats, and Geovany Soto of the Chicago Cubs, with 20 in 424 at-bats. Shoppach, by contrast, has only 281 at-bats.
He also has struck out 101 times, far too many to be acceptable, but he's working on it.
When someone brings up that statistic, Shoppach will breezily say, ''That's just who I am.''
Even though he fails to make contact more than once every three at-bats, Shoppach is batting a respectable .263. Moreover, his OPS is a resounding .855 and his slugging percentage an impressive .520.
Catchers with a higher OPS include Chris Iannetta of the Colorado Rockies (.907), Ryan Doumit of the Pittsburgh Pirates (.889) and McCann (.887). Those with a higher slugging percentage: Doumit (.523) and McCann (.521).
''Kelly has a lot of power,'' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ''But it's important for him to be a hitter first. If his approach is right, the power will come.''
Shoppach fell into a slump early in August, but has batted .310 with 10 RBI during the 10-game winning streak. What happened?
''A player who plays every day for the first time is going to have his ups and downs,'' Wedge said. ''He has to fight through the tough spells. Everybody talks about what a player is doing when he's struggling, but he also has to recognize what he did when he was doing well. Kelly has done that.''
Shoppach sometimes dispenses with the complex and brings an issue to its simplest terms.
''I'm swinging at better pitches, and I'm hitting them,'' he said.
And don't mention that the Indians have climbed from fifth place to third in the Central Division, because he insists that he hasn't noticed.
When asked whether he's looked at the standings, Shoppach said: ''I haven't done it. That's not what we do. We show up every day expecting to win, no matter what we did the day before. That's the true makeup of this team.''
Miller update
Top prospect Adam Miller (finger surgery) has been throwing bullpen sessions at extended spring training camp in Winter Haven, Fla.
But now that the facility is closing and the Tribe is moving to Goodyear, Ariz., Miller will come to Cleveland for a day, then relocate to Akron for a week or two. Miller will not play for the Aeros, but he will continue his throwing and workout program here until the Tribe's instructional league team begins play Sept. 17 in Arizona.
''If he feels OK, we would like him to pitch in winter ball,'' Wedge said.
Still hurts?
Jamey Carroll was mindful that the home run he hit against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night was the 10th of his career.
''I've been stuck on 93/4 for a long time,'' he said, smiling. ''A couple of years ago, I was robbed of one by Raul Ibanez.''
Other stuff
The Indians have won nine road games in a row. . . . With his win Wednesday night, Fausto Carmona is 5-2 with a 3.34 ERA in his career against the Tigers. . . . In his past 35 games, David Dellucci is batting .299 with four homers and 20 RBI.
Farm facts
Raising his average to .354, Carlos Santana had three hits, including a home run, and drove in two runs, as Kinston beat Winston-Salem 7-4 in Class A. Nick Weglarz tripled, singled and had one RBI, and Carlos Rivero had three hits and an RBI.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
Kelly Shoppach is becoming the backup catcher who could, the underdog running with the German shepherds and the Dobermans.
Get the full article here.
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