Kratz optioned to minors
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Kratz optioned to minors
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — Catcher Erik Kratz was optioned to minor-league camp Thursday, but expect Kratz to don a Phillies uniform sometime this season.
He's the third catcher on the depth chart, but the Phillies have typically needed at least three catchers every season. Kratz has two option years remaining and is a member of the 40-man roster.
Kratz, 31, had a decent spring. He hit .409 (9 for 22) with two home runs. The Telford native appeared in two games with the Phillies last September. In triple A, he batted .288 with an .838 OPS and 15 home runs.
In addition to Kratz's demotion, infielder Tim Kennelly was reassigned to the minors. That leaves 35 players in camp, 31 of them healthy.
There are jobs to be won still. Seven nonroster players remain in camp. They are: Raul Valdes, Tuffy Gosewisch, Hector Luna, Pete Orr, Juan Pierre, Scott Podsednik and Luis Montanez.
Orr could be the utility infielder if the Phillies don't find a better option from other camps. One of Pierre or Podsednik will make the team, and we should know who by noon Friday.
If Jose Contreras is to start the season on the disabled list, the Phillies could carry an extra bench player for the first five days of the season. Luna, Montanez and Orr each have one option year remaining.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
An absolute disgrace. Brian Schnieder is beyond awful and Kratz is a superior all around backup catcher- hitting, defensively & throwing. The kid could have not done anything more to earn that backup spot in spring training...including batting 409 with 2 homers. There is no justifiable reason for Brian Schnieder to be on that roster...none. He is the new Bowker. Kratz earned & deserved that roster spot.— kelprod2- Agreed, however, had a homer and double today against the Rays. I suspect this is his last year with the Phil's. Let's hope Kratz has a good year. He should be Ruiz's backup next year. — mannoman
- Oops, that should read: ...Schnieder had a homer and double... — mannoman
- Great photo of Kratz. Duh!— pajamas
- I agree kelp....let's hope Schnied pulls another hammy real soon. His ability to call a game does not make up for his inability to throw out my grandmother stealing second or hs weak stick. On a team that needs offense Ruiz and Kratz could def provide that.— Mark1npt
- I have never seen so many people outraged at the choice of the BACKUP CATCHER. Kratz has options left, plain and simple. I think people should learn some of the nuances of the financial part of the game before they have heart attacks complaining about things they don't understand.— regassert6
- With all due respect, losing games due to lack of offensive punch don't know nuances. This team can't afford to deal with "options left" when they have a shortfall of power right now.
- That's right, regassert6, we are all just stupid (with the exception of you). Your superior wisdom and knowledge of the game is beyond question. Why anyone else bothers to offer an opinion is beyond me...— Russ
- It's not about the options left on Kratz, regassert6, it's because Schneider has a guarantee contract, plain and simple. There are a lot of players with options left playing in the majors. The Phillies can't afford to eat contracts or pay Schneider a major league salary playing at AAA.— EL Zorro
- Same reason Nix will make this team.— Matt
- Same reason Nix will make this team.— Matt
- Kratz absolutely deserves to be on this roster but I do get why he will start in Lehigh. I have loved this guys bat for the past couple years. What I dont understand is the reason his "reassignment" to the minors came before Tuffy. Anyone know the reason for that? I think we all know catching depth is needed with this team so I am sure he will be up this year contributing.— philsfan in the atx
- Same reason Pierre will make it over Pods, but doesn't make it the right move. THis team isn't the same as in '07, '08, '09 or '10. THey need offense and they need it now. RAJ makes bad choices but don't compound that by sending down talent just to save face. Eat the small...very small loss and keep the talent and those who earned a spot. If not what the hell is the point of spring training?— JuanSamuel4prez
- The Phillies will eat more than a chunk if they release Schneider and his 900,000 salary because then they would have to pay Kratz the minimum, which would be a raise of about $300,000+. Do the math.— EL Zorro
- Now, you can argue the signing of Schneider. Apparently they love the way he handled Worley last year and the team's overall record when he started. But that could have been a coincidence... and is another story.— EL Zorro
