UCB Progressive Game Blog-4th Inning/ #4 Molina

After Kyle Lohse sat down the Royals in order in the top half of the 4th, Saturday’s 5-0 shutout of the Royals featured a Cardinal rarity. When 3rd baseman Brian Barden missed the hit part of a hit and run,  speedster Yadier Molina slid safely into 2ndto make it two stolen bases on the year. Molina is now tied for third on the team in the stolen bases with Ryan Ludwick, Joe Thurston, and the Greene Boys. The only two players with more stolen bases are Brendan Ryan with 3 and Albert Pujols with a team high of 7.

Molina got in position to steal the base after leading off the 4th with a single up the middle.  His first of a 2/3 game. Molina’s average stands at .285 and after a recent “drought” it looks as if he is hitting the ball again. Add this to the league’s best defensive glove and I think you can make an argument he is the best catcher in the N.L. today.

Everyone in baseball knows how good of an arm Molina has. Just ask Alfonso Soriano of the Cubs who gave the Cards’ a huge boost when Molina picked him off at 1st to open up the homestead. Molina rarely allows a stolen base and when he does, it is usually off the pitcher. He makes smart decisions with the ball and hasn’t commited an error so far in 2009 (knock on wood)

Molina has also progressed into one of the best hitting catchers in the league.  He is one of the toughest players to strike out in all of baseball. Only striking out 11 times this season in 130 at bats, he is all but sure to put the ball in play and make something happen.

Come time for the All-Star break, it will be a shame if Cardinal fans don’t get to see their own number 4 playing in front of his home fans.