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IL1 Pawtucket Red Sox

PawSox Catcher Christian Vazquez Drawing Raves

March 14, 2014 - International League (IL1)
Pawtucket Red Sox News Release


Bring up Christian Vazquez's name to Red Sox minor-league catching instructor Chad Epperson and the adjectives will start flowing like the Blackstone River located adjacent to historical Slater Mill.

"Rising to the challenge has always been his M.O. There's nothing he doesn't get up for and that's a gift," gushed Epperson about the 23-year-old Vazquez. "The organic passion that he has to play this game is second to none."

A number of catching-related clichés can be used to describe Vazquez. His lightning-quick release and cannon of a right arm have helped him earn notoriety during portions of big league spring training camp each of the past two season. Drafted by Boston in the 9th round in 2008, this native of Puerto Rico nabbed several would-be base stealers during Grapefruit League action in both 2013 & 2014.

Spring training numbers are often taken with a grain of salt. To Epperson and undoubtedly every Red Sox official, what Vazquez has done leading up to his seventh professional season was far from eye popping.

If anything, Epperson saw a preview of coming attractions the previous autumn when Vazquez created headlines at the prestigious Arizona Fall League, an end-of-season destination for some of the most acclaimed prospects in the game.

"Here you are surrounded by some of the best in baseball and he rose to the challenge," stated Epperson about a choice of words that may sound familiar but didn't feature an echoing sound.

"Growing as a player is extremely important, but every time I suit up, I want to win," said Vazquez, who reached Pawtucket shortly before the ball club embarked on the 2013 Governors' Cup playoffs.

Such desire has paved the way for a youngster who, like any up-and-coming catcher, fights what must seem to be a never-ending battle to strike the proper dichotomy between catering to the pitching staff's needs, while making sure he's not an offensive liability. Catch-and-throw ability alone won't get Vazquez to the majors, hence why the .376 on-base percentage - well above his career mark of .346 - and the 25 extra-base hits he compiled in 96 games for Double-A Portland last season should be viewed as a significant step in his growth.

When it was suggested that Vazquez's bat is catching up with his renowned glove work, he responded, "Last year I was more focused and patient. I would watch the opposing pitchers and concentrated more in the batter's box. Talking to (Portland hitting coach and former Red Sox backstop Rich Gedman), he made sure I was focused and looking for one spot to attack."

Echoed Epperson, "He's done a great job in understanding that it's not only the result that counts. It's the quality of your at-bat. If you can give your team a quality at-bat regardless of the result, you're in a win-win and things are going to take care of themselves."

Joining a new level when the minor-league team is participating in the postseason didn't seem to faze Vazquez. He wound up appearing in three playoff games for the PawSox, compiling a solid .273 average (3-for-11) with two RBI and three walks. Not wasting any time, he wound up logging a Puerto Rico Winter League-best 32 games behind the plate.

"It was fun to be around more veteran guys who can help me," said Vazquez about making the Portland-to-Pawtucket transition. "It's the same game but much different as far as atmosphere goes. There's also a lot more reports and videos on the opposing teams. That helped me to know the hitters better as far as which counts they'll be swinging at."

Keeping his foot firmly on the pedal, Vazquez spent part of his January in Boston working out with a collection of rising stars in the Red Sox system. It was his second straight appearance at the organization's annual Rookie Development Program. The get-together featured several pitchers who Vazquez had already built strong relationships with.

"He knows (Anthony) Ranaudo and (Matt) Barnes," said Epperson. "At every level, we have pitcher-catcher meetings on a daily basis. It's just another thing they're going to have to do when they get to the big leagues. They have to understand a pitcher's strengths and how to read swings.

"That said, there is something to be said about the higher you climb, the more in-depth the information becomes," Epperson delved further. "It's all about continuing to get reps, whether that's game calling or working on your footwork."   

Perhaps the best compliment a catcher can receive is hearing a pitcher say that he enjoys throwing to him. To that end, Barnes can't say enough good things about Vazquez. The 2014 season marks the third straight year that the Pawtucket right-handed pitcher will have the opportunity to work with a catcher he's grown to depend on and trust.

"The pitcher-catcher relationship is an unspoken necessity. It's one of those things where we have to be on the same page night-in and night-out whenever we're working together," Barnes explained. "To be able to build on that relationship coming up through the minors has made the transition to each new level that much easier.

"Vazquez is an extremely hard worker. He's one of those guys who will get to the field and not stop until the game is over," Barnes continued. "It's a treat to work with someone I have a great relationship with."

Judging by Vazquez's burning desire to keeping on improving coupled with his spot on Boston's 40-man roster, he could end up pressed into major-league duty for the first time ever at some point this season. He admits not being caught up at the prospect of being just one phone call away. True to his quiet disposition, he prefers to let his play do all the talking.

"At every level he's gone to, he's held his own," said Epperson.




International League Stories from March 14, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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