CATCHER CARLOS CORPORAN IS KEEPING COMPETITION CLOSE

I've always said that a good team becomes a better one with a lot of pitching and solid catchers.  And I don't mean catchers like, a lead catcher and a backup... I mean depth.

The Yankees came into Spring Training with Brian McCann as their head catcher, and guys like Gary Sanchez, the favorite, Austin Romine and newcomer Carlos Corporan all competing for the backup role.

Well, it looks as though Corporan is no joke. He's keeping the Yankees on their toes as they will need to make a decision soon.

According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, "...Carlos Corporan and Austin Romine have turned it into a legitimate competition. With two weeks remaining before Opening Day, questions about the identity of Brian McCann's understudy produce little more than shrugs in the clubhouse. Sanchez has struggled offensively, producing one hit in 15 at-bats, and that has opened the door to consider alternate options...

Corporan boasts the most big league experience of the trio, having played in 232 games with the Brewers, Astros and Rangers in a six-year career. He also is better regarded for his receiving than his bat, producing two hits in 17 at-bats (.118) this spring...

'Everybody wants to play with the Yankees; you kidding me?' Corporan said. 'Growing up, I was a Yankees fan, and now being here in this locker putting on this uniform makes me proud and makes my family proud. There's a lot of Puerto Ricans who like the Yankees. If I make this team, it's going to be a really, really huge accomplishment in my career.'...

'If you watch the games, you notice there's not many mistakes,' Pena said. 'They do the things they are supposed to do. Corporan is a veteran and the only thing you have to do is just remind him things; he can pick it up. Romine is receiving the ball so well, blocking the ball so well, and Sanchez is receiving the ball and blocking the ball well. We're happy to have it.'"

No one expected to see much from Corporan, but he's saying all the right things and the Yankees seem to like him.

Hey, Romine is doing his best as well, although I don't see the Yankees bringing him up. Meanwhile, Sanchez is a legit backstop, the issue this Spring is his bat. Needless to say, things are getting interesting.

Just wanted to keep you guys in the loop.




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