Pierzynski a healthy choice behind the plate for Sox
Playing the most demanding position in his sport, A.J. Pierzynski has been a physical marvel over the years.
During the past decade, the White Sox' 34-year-old catcher ranks second in the major leagues with 1,266 games caught and, along with the Royals' Jason Kendall, he's the only backstop in baseball to log at least 1,000 innings behind the plate in each of the last nine seasons.
Oh yeah, Pierzynski has never been on the disabled list while playing for the Twins (1998-2003), Giants (2004) and White Sox (2005-present).
“It's something I take a lot of pride in,” Pierzynski said. “I work hard in the off-season to get myself prepared and that carries over into the season. I'm not getting any younger, so it's even more important to train as hard as I can and take care of myself.”
How long can he go?Whatever he's doing sure seems to be working, and Pierzynski figures to be the White Sox' regular catcher through the 2012 season after signing a two-year, $8 million contract on Dec. 4.
How badly did the free-agent want to return to the Sox? Pierzynski had a deal in place with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he made one last call to the White Sox in early December and quickly agreed to return at a reduced price.
And, in order to help the Sox bring back free-agent first baseman Paul Konerko, Pierzynski is playing for a cut-rate $2 million this year.
#8220;I have no problem with that,#8221; Pierzynski said. #8220;I took less money to come back but if it helps the team win, it's really going to help me feel better.#8221;
How does he do it?Pierzynski reported to training camp looking fit enough to catch both ends of a doubleheader, but staying healthy isn't the only plus in his game.
Mentally, he also has few peers in the game, and the same goes with baseball smarts.
#8220;Throwing to A.J. for so long, he knows every hitter and what pitches they have trouble with,#8221; Sox starter Mark Buehrle said. #8220;He just puts the glove down, puts the fingers down and I throw the ball. That's pretty much it.#8221;
Can he avoid a slow start?Pierzynski did admit he had a mental block over the first half of the 2010 season.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the year and no new offer in sight, the left-handed hitter pressed at the plate and was batting .198 in mid-May.
Acknowledging he was trying to do too much to make a positive future impression, Pierzynski gradually settled down and finished the season with a .270 average. And from Aug. 12 to the end of the year, his .364 average was the best in the American League.
#8220;A.J.'s always been a pretty good bad-ball hitter, but he just wasn't giving himself a chance early in the season,#8221; White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker said. #8220;Once he got locked back in, I hardly said another word to him.#8221;
Pierzynski still has a below-average throwing arm, and he nabbed just 17.6 percent (16 of 91) of attempted base stealers last season.
He also drew 15 walks in 474 at-bats, the main reason is on-base percentage (.300) was so low.
When will Flowers take over?Top prospect Tyler Flowers made some adjustments at the plate and impressed Sox manager Ozzie Guillen with his early work in spring, but he's at least a year away from mounting a serious challenge to Pierzynski.
For now, it's A.J. again, with Ramon Castro back as the reserve catcher after a surprisingly good (.278, 8 home runs, 21 RBI) 2010 campaign.
#376; Follow Scot's reports on the Sox via Twitter @ScotGregor, and check out our Chicago's Inside Pitch blog at dailyherald.com.