{{bbref|m/molinya|Yadier Molina}} has suffered a mild concussion as a result of his collision yesterday with {{bbref|b/brunter|Eric Bruntlett}}.
Normally with an injury to a joint or something non-life-threatening, I would be more worried about the impact this will have on the Cardinals’ season. In this case, it’s great to hear that Yadi is apparently “ok” after being carted off on a stretcher with a neck brace on.
The Sporting News reports that the Cardinals are optimistic, but like them, I hope the Cards’ medical staff is very careful with this one.
With all of the well wishes and concern for Yadier out of the way, I took a look at the numbers comparing Yadier’s handling of the pitching staff versus {{bbref|l/larueja|Jason LaRue}}’s. While I understand this is a very rudimentary overview, I was shocked to find most of their numbers match up stat-wise as the pitchers throwing to them goes. Batting averages, OPS numbers, BABIP stats – all fairly in line.
Defensively, they also are strikingly similar:
Catchers Inn GS G PO A E DP FP PB WP SB CS ---------+----+---+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---+---+--- YMolina 499 56 59 323 38 6 4 .984 4 13 23 11 JLaRue 138 15 18 91 5 1 0 .990 0 3 6 3
Obviously far fewer chances for LaRue, but if you extrapolated those numbers out, the averages would be mighty close.
Where the Cardinals will really miss Molina is in his newfound offensive prowess. Comparing Molina to LaRue offensively is like comparing {{bbref|d/duncach|Chris Duncan}} to {{bbref|p/pujolal|Albert Pujols}}, well, in any manner at all.
Molina is currently .295/.354/.377. LaRue is currently .193/.343/.281. So apparently the best hope is that LaRue will walk every at-bat.
The likely call-up in this situation is Mark Johnson, a journeyman catcher whose last big-league action was in 2004 with the Brewers. Johnson isn’t exactly setting things on fire at AAA Memphis, but with no other catcher on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals are unlikely to burn an option year of Bryan Anderson by purchasing his contract.
Godspeed Yadi, hope to see you back in the gear sooner than later.
UPDATE (06.16, 6:45p): Molina is out of the hospital, and according to the team, there is no roster move imminent. Perhaps the off-day will allow them to skate by with {{bbref|m/milesaa|Aaron Miles}} as their emergency guy in case LaRue goes down? Maybe Grit can pitch to himself?
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