How will Hinch tell his catchers apart?

[Bobbert]

They're almost identical twins.

Tucker Barnhart



Eric Haase

[moldyoldie]

One of 'em's gotta break out the razor!

Reading about Barnhart, it sounds as if we've got a great defensive catcher with superb intangibles, but a mediocre hitter. A former switch-hitter, he's now a permanent lefty bat. I'm guessing he'll be platooning with Haase behind the plate with Haase perhaps playing some leftfield against certain righties, maybe most righties depending on his start next season.

[Bobbert]

Barnhart probably will get most of the starts at catcher, to use his catching skills as much as possible, and keep Haase's bat in the lineup. After Cabrera gets his 3000th hit, the Tigers will probably start talking buyout, and that would open up opportunities for Haase at DH.

[moldyoldie]

Barnhart probably will get most of the starts at catcher, to use his catching skills as much as possible, and keep Haase's bat in the lineup. After Cabrera gets his 3000th hit, the Tigers will probably start talking buyout, and that would open up opportunities for Haase at DH.

With most starting pitchers being righties, it's inevitable Barnhart gets most of the starts behind the plate. Remember Milt May when Lance Parrish was a rookie? Barnhart is only signed for this coming season, so we may be revisiting the catching situation next year at this time. Hopefully Rogers is back to 100% following Tommy John rehab, a big "if". Dingler waits in the wings.

I think Haase is in a prove-it sophomore situation; teams do make adjustments and find holes in a hitter's swing. Haase's bat faded noticeably as the season wore down.