http://0rz.tw/5d2gV 01/03/2007 10:00 AM ET Around the Horn: Catchers Snyder developing his hitting skills during the offseason By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com PHOENIX -- Most days during the so-called "off" season you can find catcher Chris Snyder at Chase Field working out or hitting in the cages. And why not? After all, it was a strategy that paid big dividends for him in 2006. Coming off a disappointing 2005 season during which he hit .202, Snyder saw the D-backs acquire Johnny Estrada from the Braves to be the team's No. 1 backstop. Rather than pout, Snyder went to work. Day after day, he worked in the cages on shortening his stroke and using the whole field rather than pulling everything. As a result, his average jumped 75 points and he hit the same amount of homers in almost 150 fewer at-bats. This year, he's still working in the cage, but has also spent quite a bit of time working with strength and conditioning coach Nate Shaw to improve his quickness, flexibility and footwork. The strides he made last year led to increased playing time as the season wore on and, along with the development of Miguel Montero, allowed the D-backs to deal Estrada to the Brewers in November. Montero, a highly regarded prospect, got his first taste of the big leagues last September and saw action in six games, and he will team with Snyder to handle the catching duties this year. "They'll have to pick up the slack and we feel they can," Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes said of Snyder and Montero. How the playing time works out between the two hasn't been decided on yet. "It depends on how Spring Training goes," D-backs manager Bob Melvin said. "It gives me the opportunity to not put too much pressure on a guy, either Snyder or Montero, so we'll be able to match up some and then play the hot hand a little bit." A former big-league catcher, Melvin demands a lot from his catchers when it comes to defense and handling a pitching staff. "I think both of these guys are very aware of what we expect behind the plate and the game plan we expect to run out there, and they're both very diligent [about] getting together with the pitchers and making sure the plan we want executed gets executed," Melvin said. While Snyder has always been known for his defense more so than his offense, it's been just the opposite for Montero as he's risen through the organization. Melvin, though, liked what he saw from Montero behind the plate last spring and again at the end of the season. "He's a catcher first and he takes catching very seriously," Melvin said. "The way he swings the bat, we feel he's going to be an offensive player, but I think defensively he's impressed me even more so. He's low to the ground, he's great blocking balls and moving around back there." The D-backs could wind up carrying three catchers if utilityman Robby Hammock makes the team. Hammock was the club's starting catcher in 2004 and was behind the plate for Randy Johnson's perfect game that year. Injuries kept him on the shelf in 2005, and last year he earned a September callup with a solid year at Triple-A Tucson. No longer viewed as an everyday backstop, Hammock has gone back to playing multiple positions. He can handle both the corner positions in the infield and outfield as well as second base, and is expected to make a strong push for the 25th spot on the roster. "His versatility is a big plus," Melvin said. Down on the farm: Veteran Mark Johnson will likely get the majority of the playing time at Triple-A Tucson if Hammock makes the big-league roster. Josh Ford, Wilkin Castillo, Matt Morgan and Phil Avlas will compete during the spring for the backup role in Tucson with the others likely headed to Double-A Mobile. John Hester, a 13th-round pick in last year's First-Year Player Draft, is probably the organization's best catching prospect. The former Stanford Cardinal will likely begin the year at Class A Visalia. --- 最认真的男人 - Snyder！ Snyder感觉算是熬出头， 连offseason都在cage里面练习打击， 希望打击能再提升一点， 明年和Montero争先发。 (个人是觉得Snyder会是一号补手，Montero还得再见习一阵子) 另外就是Melvin对三号补手兼工具人Hammock很满意， 推测应该会出现在开季25人名单！ Hammock可以守CI and Cornor OF还有2B， 但是不知道守得怎样就是了。 Hammock也是04球季的一号补手， 当年RJ投出Perfect Game的补手就是他！ 要是RJ真的回来说不定变成御用补手？ 另外Montero上Major之後， 农场最好的补手Prospect就是John Hester， 去年第13轮选进来的， 明年推测将会从Class A Visalia出发。 --

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