Ex-Chillicothe Mudcat Joseph could be focal point of ALCS
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CHILLICOTHE, Mo. — When the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles begin the American League Championship Series in Baltimore Friday night, how the Orioles deal with the Royals' potentially-unnerving speed on the base paths could put a former Chillicothe Mudcat player squarely in the series spotlight.
Caleb Joseph, who played for the Chillicothe college-level, wood-bat baseball team in the summers of 2005 and 2006, is one of two catchers on the Orioles' roster after having been recalled in early May following the season-ending injury suffered by All-Star catcher Matt Wieters . Having nearly retired from professional baseball last winter after six years in the minors, Joseph's decision to try one more season has led him to a pivotal spot in the 2014 Major League Baseball season. Although he had one torrid hitting stretch in early August when he set an Orioles record for catchers by hitting a home run in five consecutive games, Joseph generally has had little hitting success. He closed the regular season hitless in his last 30 official at-bats before going zero for three in game 2 of the first-round playoffs series win over Detroit. However, he was the American League's most-successful catcher in throwing out would-be base stealers, cutting down over 40 percent during the regular season. In addition, his minor-league history and brief major-league time has shown him to be an outstanding handler of pitchers and receiver. By one sabermetric defensive measurement, he has saved Baltimore 10 runs above the major-league average for catchers simply by his "framing" of pitches – receiving a borderline pitch in a way which prompts the umpire to call it a strike, rather than a ball. Given that Orioles manager Buck Showalter is on record as stressing the importance of not only a catcher's quick release and throwing accuracy in slowing potential basestealers – skills Joseph has clearly shown himself to be better at than fellow O's catcher Nick Hundley, but also the ability to help the pitcher keep runners off base in the first place, many are expecting to see Joseph get the majority of the starts against Kansas City, especially considering Hundley has not hit much either. ALCS preview segments on national cable television channels already last night were zeroing in on the former Chillicothe player as a possible key ingredient in the series' outcome. Related story about Caleb on St. Joe Newspress Web site. http://www.newspressnow.com/sports/amateur/mink_league/article_6fe89678-45be-5a77-a483-9f1b00c508fa.html#user-comment-area |
 Caleb Joseph as a Mudcat in 2006 and Caleb being interviewed by Paul Sturm as a Baltimore Oriole 2014
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By PAUL STURM, C-T Sports Editor
After waiting 12 years from their inception to have its first former member appear in a Major League Baseball game, the Chillicothe Mudcats on May 7, 2014, got their second alumnus to the big leagues in two months.
Catcher Caleb Joseph, the local, college-level, summer club’s primary receiver in the club's MINK League title-winning 2006 season after appearing in 18 games the season before, had his contract purchased by the Orioles from their Triple-A farm club at Norfolk, Va.
After waiting 12 years from their inception to have its first former member appear in a Major League Baseball game, the Chillicothe Mudcats on May 7, 2014, got their second alumnus to the big leagues in two months.
Catcher Caleb Joseph, the local, college-level, summer club’s primary receiver in the club's MINK League title-winning 2006 season after appearing in 18 games the season before, had his contract purchased by the Orioles from their Triple-A farm club at Norfolk, Va.
Click here to read more about Caleb
Listen to Caleb's Interview with Paul Sturm Here
Matty Johnson is now in AAA
A Mudcat from years back is one step closer to realizing his major
league dream. Outfielder Matty Johnson, who starred with the Mudcats
in 2008 and 2009, currently plays for Pawtucket, the AAA affiliate of
the Red Sox. Johnson has an RBI from his first game this month since
being called up from AA Portland (ME). Johnson has jumped two
divisions this year, starting in Single-A Salem (VA) before the big
leaps. The Bellevue University standout started his pro career in
2010 with the independent Gateway Grizzlies before the Red Sox signed
him the following year. Johnson has the best season of multi-hit
games in Mudcat history, earning 23 in 2008 while cracking seven
triples that year, second best all-time. Johnson is also among the
all-time leaders for runs scored, RBIs in a game, and double-digit
hitting streaks.
league dream. Outfielder Matty Johnson, who starred with the Mudcats
in 2008 and 2009, currently plays for Pawtucket, the AAA affiliate of
the Red Sox. Johnson has an RBI from his first game this month since
being called up from AA Portland (ME). Johnson has jumped two
divisions this year, starting in Single-A Salem (VA) before the big
leaps. The Bellevue University standout started his pro career in
2010 with the independent Gateway Grizzlies before the Red Sox signed
him the following year. Johnson has the best season of multi-hit
games in Mudcat history, earning 23 in 2008 while cracking seven
triples that year, second best all-time. Johnson is also among the
all-time leaders for runs scored, RBIs in a game, and double-digit
hitting streaks.
The road to The Show isn't easy, but former Mudcat Aaron Meade is
still firing away. Meade, who starred on the 2008 staff with 55
strikeouts and a complete game, is on the active roster with the
Inland Empire 66ers in the California League. Last year, the Kansas
City, MO native split time with IE and Cedar Rapids, going 3-5 in 11
starts with a 4.25 ERA, striking out 63 in 83 innings. http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573032
still firing away. Meade, who starred on the 2008 staff with 55
strikeouts and a complete game, is on the active roster with the
Inland Empire 66ers in the California League. Last year, the Kansas
City, MO native split time with IE and Cedar Rapids, going 3-5 in 11
starts with a 4.25 ERA, striking out 63 in 83 innings. http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=573032
Brandon Dulin, the most recent Mudcat to be drafted to Major League
Baseball, is off to a hot start in the Arizona League. The Lee's
Summit, MO native is currently batting .286 with a home run and seven
RBI, along with two doubles and a triple, for his hometown Royals.
Dulin's short stay this summer with the Mudcats was also fruitful,
going 6 for 13 (.462) in 3 games with 5 RBI, including a double and a
triple. http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=641536
Out of Mudcat Land and into the pros, 5th round MLB draftee Jared King
is making a go at it with the New York Mets. After signing a $450,000
contract, the former Kansas State star - who played with the 'Cats
when they last appeared at the NBC World Series in 2010 - is presently
batting .243 with 4 RBI with Brooklyn of the NY-Penn League. http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/team/scoreboard/index.html?autoload=teamstats&team_id=453
is making a go at it with the New York Mets. After signing a $450,000
contract, the former Kansas State star - who played with the 'Cats
when they last appeared at the NBC World Series in 2010 - is presently
batting .243 with 4 RBI with Brooklyn of the NY-Penn League. http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/team/scoreboard/index.html?autoload=teamstats&team_id=453
You could see a former Mudcat make The Show north of the border. 2011
Mudcat Jonathan Davis is having a great first week with his new club,
the Toronto Blue Jays. The Central Arkansas infielder is hitting .381
with 3 RBI and 3 doubles in 7 games at Bluefield (WV) of the
Appalachian League. In his lone season with the Mudcats, Davis batted
.236 with 10 RBI, four doubles and six stolen bases. Davis' former
teammate, current Sedalia Bomber Curtiss Bunch, was just four
percentage points better at .240 that same year for the 'Cats. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=jonathan-davis-2
Mudcat Jonathan Davis is having a great first week with his new club,
the Toronto Blue Jays. The Central Arkansas infielder is hitting .381
with 3 RBI and 3 doubles in 7 games at Bluefield (WV) of the
Appalachian League. In his lone season with the Mudcats, Davis batted
.236 with 10 RBI, four doubles and six stolen bases. Davis' former
teammate, current Sedalia Bomber Curtiss Bunch, was just four
percentage points better at .240 that same year for the 'Cats. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=jonathan-davis-2
It may be a quick ride to The Show the way Zach Esquerra is playing
these days. The 2011 Mudcat and 24th round pick of the Diamondbacks
is crushing the baseball at Hillsboro of the Low-A Northwest League,
batting .368 with 3 HR, 15 RBI and 6 doubles through 16 games. Fans
in Chillicothe saw that power two years ago when the Cal Baptist
standout whacked a .279 average with 40 RBI (2nd best for a Mudcat
season) and 9 home runs, still a franchise record. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=zachary-esquerra
these days. The 2011 Mudcat and 24th round pick of the Diamondbacks
is crushing the baseball at Hillsboro of the Low-A Northwest League,
batting .368 with 3 HR, 15 RBI and 6 doubles through 16 games. Fans
in Chillicothe saw that power two years ago when the Cal Baptist
standout whacked a .279 average with 40 RBI (2nd best for a Mudcat
season) and 9 home runs, still a franchise record. http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?P=zachary-esquerra