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Venezuela, producer of very good receivers?

The Venezuelan production of good receptors does not stop. There are two posh prospects for this position in the MLB

For years, Venezuela (since the 1950s) has been the birthplace of exceptional shortstops. There are the names of Alfonso Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, David Concepción, Enzo Hernández, Omar Vizquel, Alex González, to name just a few of them.

In recent years, a trend has been noted, a contingent of top-level receivers. An unprecedented event in the history of the South American country.

As precursors of this acute appearance of good catchers, Baudilio Díaz, Henry Blanco, Eddie Pérez (Maddux’s catcher) and Yorvit Torrealba, talented players in this demanding position, can be mentioned.

After this first group, masks such as those of Miguel Montero, Francisco Cervelli and Wilson Contreras have appeared, the most distinguished being, for his achievements since the 2011 season, the Kansas City Royals’ starting catcher, Salvador Pérez, winner, until now. , five gold gloves and four silver bats. Salvador in the 2021 campaign, led the AL in home runs (48) and RBIs (121), breaking the record for most home runs for a catcher. In the 2015 World Series, Salvador won the Most Valuable Award (MVP).

According to Baseball Reference statistics, in the 2021 season the league leaders in percentage of outs drawn in attempted steals were Venezuelans: Elías Díaz and Salvador Pérez.

With the reigning World Series champions, the Atlanta Braves, Wilson’s brother, Willian Contreras, made his debut a couple of years ago. He so far he has participated in only 53 games. He is maturing at the position, and has shown decent (34%) steal attempt value.

the new prospects

The Venezuelan production of good receptors does not stop. There are two posh prospects for this position in Major League Baseball (for its acronym in English MLB). On the one hand, Diego Castillo, signed by the Dodgers (a power hitter with great defensive skills), on the other, Jefferson Quero, a prospect for the Milwaukee Brewers.

According to the scouts, this youngster has great hitting ability and good skills for the position.

What is expressed in this note may not cover that phenomenal wave of Venezuelan catchers towards the best baseball in the world. It is just a glimpse of what has been happening in the last two and a half decades. A trend that seems to increase over time.

Venezuela is producing extremely high-level receivers.

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