June 19--One year ago, the talent gap in the Cubs' catching department seemed as wide as the 107-year canyon since their last World Series title.
But even with the recent, albeit brief, promotion of Kyle Schwarber to the majors, the Cubs now feel much better about their depth.
"We're in a good spot now," said Tim Cossins, the Cubs' field and catching coordinator. "The guys are catching well. They're putting in the innings and the games, and that's the important thing."
The promotion of Schwarber from Double-A Tennessee to the Cubs on Tuesday before a stint at Triple-A Iowa will give more time to Willson Contreras, 23, who has turned a corner in his seventh professional season with a .328 batting average and 34 RBIs in addition to applying his defensive skills behind the plate after his first three seasons as a third baseman.
"The talent has been there since Day 1," Cossins said. "He was one of the guys I heard about before coming over (from the Marlins' organization in 2013). "He is a guy who's really tooled up but in the converting stages and very raw. We're at a point now where he has contained all his abilities and put it in a nice package and is starting to think the game.
"With all the physical stuff he has been able to improve on and get deeper into what the position is, he has been unbelievable."
Victor Caratini and Ben Carhart, each of whom are former infielders now at high Class A Myrtle Beach, also have made progress behind the plate, Cossins said. Caratini, 21, started his career as a third baseman in the Braves' organization before joining the Cubs last July in the Emilio Bonifacio-James Russell trade.
"(Caratini) has learned to play the position every single day and he's taking a huge leap forward with his throwing, which is good to see," Cossins said. "It's not unexpected, but it's good to see, nonetheless. He does a good job controlling the game and with pitch selection. I'm excited where he's at."
Caratini hasn't been charged with a passed ball in 44 games behind the plate and has thrown out 14 would-be base stealers in 54 attempts.
Cael Brockmeyer and Gioskar Amaya, who spent five seasons as an infielder, have shown promise at Class A South Bend.
"(Amaya) is committed 100 percent to the position, and it has been nice," Cossins said. "And he's young (22), which is great. It was the right time to make the move."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
