Scioscia’s Pitch Is for Better Catching

TEMPE, Ariz. —  It would be highly unusual, but don’t be stunned if Angel Manager Mike Scioscia goes to the mound during a game and makes a catching change.

“If our pitcher throws two straight fastballs up and over the plate, I’m going to be all over that catcher,” Scioscia said. “I’m putting the responsibility on the catchers to make the pitchers better.”

This is what happens when an all-star catcher from one of baseball’s most catching-rich franchises becomes a manager: Catching is being emphasized in this Angel camp more than ever, and upgrading an Angel position that has been traditionally weak is one of Scioscia’s top priorities.

“He’s stressing how to work batters, remembering pitch sequences, how guys have hit certain pitchers in the past, what pitches in what locations worked best against certain guys,” Angel catcher Matt Walbeck said. “It’s going to be really good. I’m going to learn a lot. I already have.”

The Angels will begin charting catchers throughout their minor league system for runs given up per game while they’re behind the plate, win-loss record, runners caught stealing, errors, passed balls, walks and strikeouts.

There will be daily reports on the intangible aspects of catching--how well they calm pitchers or help maintain their rhythm, how they call games and set up hitters, and how they handle umpires.

And you can be sure of this: Whoever wins the Angel catching job between Walbeck, Bengie Molina and Todd Greene will not do so because of any offensive statistics.

“A catcher will have more impact for what he does behind the plate than if he hits two home runs a game,” said Scioscia, the former Dodger who was groomed by Roy Campanella, Johnny Roseboro and Del Crandall.

“With L.A. that was a top priority. I was hammered with that stuff from the time I was 17. The catcher is the jockey, and the pitcher is the horse. The catcher’s goal is to be in sync with the pitcher, know what his best pitch is that day and what options you have in each count.”

And whatever the catcher provides offensively will be considered a bonus. On that point, the Angels are perfectly clear.

“If you don’t do a good job handling pitchers,” Walbeck said, “you’re not going to play.”

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With growing concerns about their aging rotation, the New York Yankees seem less inclined to trade Ramiro Mendoza, the highly regarded reliever/starter who has been strongly pursued by the Angels, Rockies, Athletics, Brewers and Cardinals this spring.

Knowing that, the Angels apparently have shifted their focus in trade talks to Alfonso Soriano, who is considered one of baseball’s best shortstop prospects but whose path is blocked by Derek Jeter, and outfielder Ricky Ledee, who is set to platoon with Shane Spencer in left field this season.

The Yankees might be willing to part with both players in a deal for Angel outfielder Jim Edmonds, who would be open to the idea of signing a contract extension with New York. The Mariners and A’s also remain highly interested in Edmonds.