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Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez hasn’t hit, but ‘really understands what we need behind the plate’
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- Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez hasn’t hit, but ‘really understands what we need behind the plate’
BOSTON — In the absence of Connor Wong (broken finger), Carlos Narvaez has become, by default, the Red Sox ' starting catcher.
To date, he hasn't hit much, with a slash line of .200/..267/.327 with a homer and five. What's more, he's struggled to control the running game, with just two baserunners thrown out in 11 attempts.
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But when it comes to calling a game and handling a pitching staff, the Red Sox see someone who's advanced far beyond his experience. He may be 26 already, but coming into this season, he had just six games in the major leagues to his credit.
"Really good, really good," gushed Alex Cora of the impact Narvaez has made. "He's always prepared in those (pre-game) meetings with the starters. He gives them feedback as far as their outings. For being a young guy, he really understands what we need behind the plate. We need a leader. We need someone just like Connor, to take pride in leading the staff.
"That's the most important thing. Whatever you can do offensively we'll take it. We would love him to hit .300 and hit homers and all that stuff. But the most important thing here is to lead the staff and he's doing an amazing job."
Indeed, a number of pitchers on the staff have publicly credited Narvaez with helping them to game-plan opponents and later, to review their outings.
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With only a handful of games in the big leagues, Narvaez did a lot of his learning in winter ball, where he gained some invaluable experience.
"He's played this year in Venezuela for (former major league catcher) Henry Blanco," said Cora. "Henry is one of those guys that I played with, one of the smartest catchers, the way he sees the game, and I bet that really helped (Narvaez). That winter ball experience is real.
"I know a lot of guys that don't want to go, they don't want to go down there. But I think the winning, and the pressure you feel to be successful in those leagues, is important. Just being around those veteran (pitchers), you have guys who are 18 who throw 100 mph and then you have the veteran guy who's 35, throwing cutters and sinkers at 85 mph. 'How am I going to maneuver this lineup? How am I going to be able to get 27 outs with what we have.'
"That's part of the experience and I know that really helped him."
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