What La Russa is prioritizing in Sox backup-catcher battle originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The battle for the White Sox backup-catcher job has yielded impressive performances from Zack Collins, Yermín Mercedes and Jonathan Lucroy in the opening days of the Cactus League schedule.
But while attempting to decipher which of the backstops has the edge at any given moment, some insight into what one of the White Sox chief decision-makers is looking for figures to be helpful.
So, Tony La Russa, what is it you want out of a backup catcher once the season starts?
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"We look for the best complement (to starting catcher, Yasmani Grandal)," the South Side skipper said Thursday. "If there's one thing it is, it's think and handle the pitching. That's the No. 1. The great thinkers can really bring the best out of a pitcher, makes it tougher to hit. That's the No. 1 thing.
"It's the receiving, the throwing, the hitting, there's nothing that's not important. But thinking, calling a good game, that's priority No. 1"
Certainly there's only one man in this position battle that has ample experience handling a major league staff, and that's Lucroy, who caught Lynn — and added another base hit to his spring total — in Thursday's game. Lucroy has spent parts of 11 seasons in the major leagues and has a strong familiarity with White Sox catching instructor Jerry Narron from when they were both longtime Milwaukee Brewers employees.
Lucroy has even cited familiarity with two of the White Sox top starters, Lynn and Dallas Keuchel, having faced them so often throughout his career.
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"Jonathan and I go way back," Lynn said Thursday. "First seven years in the big leagues, he played against me a lot, so he knows what I like to do and how to do it. It was pretty easy. He had a good idea going in on how I want to attack and not a whole lot needed to be talked about."
That can only be a benefit to Lucroy's chances of making the team. But it's no knock on Collins or Mercedes, as both have received high praise for their work in camp, both touting defensive improvements as they continue to flash the same offensive ability that impressed in the minors.
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