The Rockies have an odd habit of not playing Chris Iannetta anywhere near as much as they should, and they took that oddity to the next level by demoting him to Triple-A. Iannetta is currently hitting .133/.235/.333 over 34 plate appearances and eight games, so the Rox did not even give him the chance to rebound–or, to be honest about it, give him the chance to slump. We're talking about a little over a week's worth of playing time total.
Iannetta signed a contract for $8.3 million over three years this winter, which, given his track record and the fact that Miguel Olivo was signed for fewer years and less money (though $250,000 more in 2010) would make you think that he had a good handle on the starting job. That hasn't been the case though, with Olivo appearing in 12 games and racking up 47 plate appearances as well as a line of .311/.340/.667 in 2010. Iannetta was ranked as a four-star catcher prior to the season–despite low batting averages, he has more power than all but a handful of catchers in the league, and unlike his equally powerful teammate Olivo, can actually get on base without making contact.
Owners of Iannetta should sit tight–he is far too good to give up on, and Olivo is not going to hit like Albert Pujols all season long. Iannetta hit .264/.390/.505 in 2008 and .228/.344/.460 in 2009 (ISO of .240 and .232), and was projected to hit .263/.363/.496 for his weighted mean this year–his 30th and 20th percentile forecasts don't look so bad either, with ISOs in the .200 range. This is nothing more than a poor week at the plate for Iannetta, and the Rockies deciding that Miguel Olivo is their go-to catcher for the short-term because of it. Dropping him or dealing him would not be the best idea right now, especially given that this demotion has put a dent in his present-day value.
As for Olivo, he's not going to keep an on-base percentage that lofty (or a .300 average, for that matter) but the already homer-happy backstop is playing his home games in Colorado, meaning there's a good chance that he's going to produce for you while he is the starter. He's likely already off of the boards in NL-only leagues (or even some mixed leagues with two catchers), but he's a worthwhile option until Iannetta is given the vote of confidence by the Rockies again. If you had him on your team already, now is the time to play him–Paul Phillips is being called up to take Iannetta's roster spot, and though he hit well last year, it was in 54 plate appearances. He's not worth a look, and just clinches the idea that Olivo's playing time is going to increase.
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Is there more to this story that I'm missing?
Tracy's been very patient with CarGo and Fowler. It may be that he just doesn't see much in Ianetta. The Rockies have been burned by 'can't-miss' catching prospects before. Ben Petrick, before he was diagnosed with Parkinsons ( I think it is), was another guy who people liked, and could never hit in the bigs. I'm all for Ianetta, but Olivo is hitting, and Chris isn't. I hope it works out, but I can't really see this as demoting the next Johnny Bench.
The problem with Iannetta can be partially attributed to his shifting role and erratic playing time. For the last few years, Iannetta's been the Rockies best offensive catcher, with a TAv of .301 in 2008 and .274 in 2009, but one Torrealba (or in this case, Olivo) hot streak ends up burying him.
I love him, drafted him in 2008 and again this year, and I'm going to let him sit on my large bench while I wait for Olivo to slump or a trade to happen.
You'd think the Rockies front-office was running a fantasy league team. I love the Tampa idea. Send them Jeff Niemann. They've got Hellickson, among others, down on the farm. Colorado would think they won the lottery, and the Rays get a C under contract through his peak seasons at a reasonable price.
Iannetta walked in 13.8% of his PA in 2008, 12.3% in 2009, and is at 11.8% this year as well. His career rate is 13.0%. That's exceptional, and when you add it to his power, the low contact rate doesn't matter one bit.
So Iannetta has hit well in 2008-09 when he's played. He is *not* one of these young guys who have consistently struggled at the plate during his time in the majors and that you wonder if/when they will ever come through.
Given that he's done very well at the plate in 2008-09, a slump over 34 PAs in 2010 seems hardly worth a passing thought, let alone a demotion.
All I am saying is that on my teams I will be dropping Chris Ianetta.
Does anyone assess hitters by how they "look at the plate" to the naked eye, rather than by how they actually produce?
I was only replying to the comments insofar as they made Iannetta seem like he has been an unproductive hitter. That is contrary to the evidence.
I have no views about Iannetta's defence, for all I know that has something to do with his demotion and the Rockies' longer term plans for him.