Wyatt Toregas

Wyatt Toregas - Catcher
Age: 25 Height: 5'11" Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right

	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007 Akron	.250	86	284	36	71	16	0	6	39	27	45	3	.317	.370	.687
Career	.263	341	1219	177	321	80	1	26	181	108	208	5	.328	.395	.723

History: Toregas was selected by the Indians in the 24^th round of the 2004 Draft out of Virginia Tech. The Indians added Toregas to the 40-man roster this past offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, which gives them a third catching option they have not had on the roster in several years. Since the graduation of Victor Martinez from the minor league system in 2003, the Indians have not had many catching options to turn to in the minors until now.

Strengths & Opportunities: In 2006, Toregas bounced back from a rough 2005 campaign and established himself as one of the Indians top catching prospects after he hit .294 with 8 HR, 52 RBI and an .816 OPS in 309 combined at bats in Kinston and Akron. Last year, Toregas struggled through a season riddled with injuries as he was on and off the disabled list all year with back and elbow injuries and only played in 86 games. The sore right elbow hindered his throwing abilities for the last half of the season, which was the result of a collision with Michael Aubrey while chasing a popup in the infield in early July.

Toregas has ability with the bat, and a little bit of power pull side. Toward the end of last season Toregas learned to hit the ball to right field and made strides in using the whole field. He became a good situational hitter moving runners. When you can catch and throw like Toregas does it allows the Indians to give his offense more time to develop. He is a leader, and he gives maximum effort and everything he has.

Toregas is an excellent defensive catcher that can control a running game. He consistently averages 1.85 seconds on throws to second base, which is much better than the major league average of 2.0 seconds. Toregas is the best defensive catcher in the Indians system, and he has been ranked as the best defensive catcher in the league he played in the last two years. He moves well behind the plate, handles a pitching staff well, and calls a good game.

Toregas has the potential to be an adequate hitter, which to go along with his outstanding defense that has Indians officials excited, makes him very valuable. Going forward, while Toregas performed well against left-handed pitching (.822 OPS) he will need to shore up his approach against right-handed pitching (.649 OPS) to be successful at Triple-A and beyond.

Outlook: Toregas is a player that continues to rise in the Indians farm system, and continues to improve physically each year. With Toregas rostered and most likely in Buffalo next year, the Indians have a viable backup catching option to turn to if Martinez or Kelly Shoppach are injured.

Posted in: Wyatt Toregas