Warning: include_once(/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/db/poll_cookie.php) [function.include-once]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 3
Warning: include_once() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/db/poll_cookie.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 3 Fantasy Information Central - MLB Player Spotlights: Michael Barrett Warning: include(/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/styles/headerindarchmlcl.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 13
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/styles/headerindarchmlcl.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 13
Catcher
Age: 25 (October 22, 1976)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
1998
8
23
3
7
2
0
1
2
3
6
0
0
.304
.407
.522
.929
1999
126
433
53
127
32
3
8
52
32
39
0
2
.293
.345
.436
.781
2000
89
271
28
58
15
1
1
22
23
35
0
1
.214
.277
.288
.565
2001
132
472
42
118
33
2
6
38
25
54
2
1
.250
.289
.367
.656
2002
76
244
26
66
10
1
9
31
29
39
2
2
.270
.348
.430
.778
Total
431
1443
152
376
92
7
25
145
112
173
4
6
.261
.316
.386
.702
History
Michael Barrett was born on October 22, 1976. A converted third-baseman, Barrett has yet to show the power potential the Expos believed he would develop. Defensively, Barrett was inconsistent during his conversion to catcher, and his offensive numbers showed his wariness with the positional change. Barrett, however, was not deterred by the move, and has developed into a solid option behind the plate.
Barrett was first promoted to the majors in 1998, where he saw action as both a catcher and a third baseman. His defense at third was weak, but he prospered offensively. The Expos knew they needed to settle on one position for Barrett’s future, but were reluctant to settle on any one position. Barrett used the off-season to sharpen his catching skills, and he split the 1999 season between third base and catcher, even playing two games at shortstop.
The 2000 campaign was a disappointment for Barrett, who hit a career-low .214 and hit only 1 home run in 89 games, playing more games at third base than catcher. It was during the off-season that it was decided Barrett would play solely at catcher, and Barrett soon saw an increase in overall production. He hit .250 during the 2001 season, and slugged 6 home runs to complement a career-high 33 doubles, despite getting off to a slow start.
His Game
Barrett was at one time thought to be a legitimate power threat for the future, but has never developed more than above-average gap power. He hits few fly balls, and lines the ball to all fields. His reluctance to lift the ball is responsible for his lack of home runs, and his early-season slump in 2001 began his consistent hitting of line drives. Barrett rarely swings for the fences, but also rarely strikes out. His walk rate is sufficient, and his strikeout total is more than acceptable, especially for an impatient hitter. On the basepaths, Barrett steals few bases, but has adequate speed.
Defensively, Barrett has showed improvement at the catcher position. Once raw and tedious behind the plate, Barrett has showed an adaptive ability to Montreal pitchers. He has the ability to block balls that would get by many catchers, and his reflexes are quick and fluent. His arm is fair to average, and he needs to work on throwing out potential basestealers.
Spring Expectations
The expectations for Barrett heading into the 2002 season were for him to improve upon his numbers from the previous season, which was reasonable considering his early-season 2001 slump dragged down his final numbers. A reasonable expectation would have been .260-.270 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI, none of which would be out of the question for Barrett.
A Pleasant Surprise
Barrett shocked the baseball world in early-season 2002, when he ranked amongst the league leaders in batting average for the first month of the season. A steal for many fantasy owners, Barrett propelled the Expos with his hot bat. The most pleasant surprise are the 9 home runs, which already mark a career-high for Barrett despite having played in only 76 games. His batting average has fallen in recent months, but has consistently remained above his career mark.
Perhaps the power stroke envisioned by the Expos is finally producing the home runs expected out of Barrett as a young prospect. Should he continue at his current pace, Barrett is on pace for 14 home runs and 48 RBI, which would be 5 homers above his previous season-high. His doubles are down from previous seasons, a sign that he is finally converting his gap power into over-the-fence power. A power explosion may be in store for Barrett in the near future.
Fantasy Implications
Once ranked the sixth-best prospect in all of baseball by minor league expert John Sickels, Barrett has proved himself to be a legitimate big-league catcher. He should continue to improve both offensively and defensively, and should make great strides in the coming years. Barrett is a great option in both keeper leagues and single-season leagues, and should be valued as one of the top catchers in the National League.
Warning: include(/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/styles/footernonmlbfantasyclub.php) [function.include]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 859
Warning: include() [function.include]: Failed opening '/home/virtual/fantasyinfocentral.com/var/www/html/styles/footernonmlbfantasyclub.php' for inclusion (include_path='.:/usr/lib/php:/usr/local/lib/php') in /home/cparodi3/public_html/playerspotlights/000507.php on line 859
