2009 White Sox Catching Position

The White Sox catching situation for 2009 will be similar to 2008, as they have had the same started since 2005.

A.J. Pierzynski will once again take duty as the starting man behind the plate for the majority of the season. We all know A.J. as a colorful character in the game of baseball. We all remember his years in San Francisco, where he did not fit in well with the team. And he would be on the list for being involved in the most controversial plays in baseball. Nearly every opposing ballpark he goes to, he gets booed, even if he has had no ugly past with that team. Yet, here on the South Side, he is adored—by fans, by teammates, and by the management.

Pierzynski will be starting catcher for the South Side in 2009

What Pierzynski lacks in skill, he makes up for it in leadership. He plays from the heart and his emotions can spark a team. When he plays, he plays the game smart. But his statistics don’t disappoint either. Throughout his MLB career, A.J. is a .284 hitter, with exactly 500 RBI. And he is not slowing down. In 2008, he kept it up with a .281 average, showing that he can still play. He wants to be playing on the diamond every single day, although others want to prevent injury and give him a rest. But there is no resting for A.J. He gives it his all, well, all the time, whether cheering on the bench, or on the field. And with the White Sox going through a “youth movement”, Pierzynski is the perfect fit to help tutor the young players.

But when Pierzynski is getting a break, who will be filling in at catcher? Toby Hall won’t be back on the South Side. Cole Armstrong, who has not played in an MLB game, will most likely take the role as back-up.

The truth with Armstrong, is no one knows what he can do. He was invited to play for Canada in the World Baseball Classic but declined. He played in AA in 2008, and 2/3 of the way through the season, was promoted to AAA. He improved when he went up to play in AAA. Last year at Spring Training ,many White Sox coaches were impressed at Cole’s ability to field. He could be what the White Sox need to throw out baserunners. If this guy can adjust to the majors, he could be a reliable starter in the future!

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