Projo Sox Blog

PAWTUCKET -- Manager Ron Johnson walked into his office this morning to find his new catcher, Mark Wagner, waiting for him, sitting on his green leather couch.

Wagner, a gregarious 25-year-old known to refer to himself in the third person, bounced up.

"Where does RJ need Wags today?" the catcher asked his new manager.

Some managers might not like that level of familiarity from the new guy. But Wagner, clearly, has a kindred spirit in Johnson.

"RJ needs Wags to get comfortable," Johnson quickly responded, vigorously shaking Wagner's outstretched hand.

A comfortable Wagner is what the Red Sox need, too. Wagner was called up to Pawtucket today, the promising catcher's first time at the Triple-A level. The organization hopes he'll settle in at Triple-A just like he did Double-A Portland. If he does, he could get a chance to prove that he's a long-term solution at catcher for the Sox, the successor to 37-year-old Jason Varitek.

No clear-cut heir has emerged thus far, although George Kottaras is succeeding backing him up at the major league level. Now Wagner and fellow Triple-A catcher Dusty Brown will vie to show that they should be next in line.

Wagner arrived this morning, and was active for today's game against the Syracuse Chiefs. He sat today, and will start tomorrow, the beginning of what should be a regular platoon with Brown.

"It's been pretty exciting, but at the same time pretty hectic. I'm like a chicken with my head cut off," Wagner said after arriving at Pawtucket this morning.

After a down year in 2008, Wagner, 25, has been excellent this year, hitting .301 in 42 games with 18 doubles, three home runs and 23 RBI, with a .410 on-base percentage. He's eager to have that same success against Triple-A pitching.

"It's another learning process. We'll have to wait and see how it goes, just try to stick with what's been giving me success, make any necessary adjustments, and see how it goes here," Wagner said.

Wagner, a 9th-round pick in 2005, has always been known for his defense. His quick release makes stealing on him a dangerous idea, and he's expert at blocking balls at the plate.

That's what stood out to Varitek himself, when he saw Wagner this year during Spring Training. He recalled that Wagner's blocking skills were impressive, during the rigorous spring drills run by bullpen coach Gary Tuck.

"He blocks the ball real well," Varitek said of Wagner. "The fun thing is we get through a lot of work with Tuck in spring training, he beats the heck out of us, as a group. He did well."

Red Sox farm system director Mike Hazen said last week that the team has been very happy with Wagner's bat, throwing, and plate blocking. They view his management of the pitching staff and his game-calling as a work in progress.

"We're still working with him on managing the pitching staff, running the game and those kinds of things," Hazen said.

"Absolutely. But every time you move up, you get a whole new group of guys who it'll take another couple days or however long, to learn what they like to do," he said.

It's going to be a fun process, and hopefully I'll pick it up quick in order to win some ballgames.

This season, Wagner led Eastern League catchers in fielding percentage with a .997 mark, and was unparalled at throwing out baserunners, catching 18 of 29 attempted thieves for a 62 percent success rate.

Wagner was ranked as the 30th best prospect in the Sox system coming into 2009. He is on the Red Sox' 40-man roster already.

Johnson said Wagner should be an exciting addition to the club. He loves the energy he brings, and is looking forward to seeing what Wagner can do with the bat.

"Impressive. Impressive kid," Johnson said. "We're really excited to have Mark Wagner with the club. It's about player development, and this is another step for a guy who's earned it."

Wagner and Dusty Brown should split time going forward, one catching one day, the other catching the next. John Otness was returned to Double-A Portland to replace Wagner. Pawtucket also has catcher Carlos Maldanado on the disabled list. Johnson said Maldanado might still have a role -- despite the addition of Wagner.

"When he comes back, it's great to have a guy like that. He's a 13 year veteran, he's got major league experience, it gives him an opportunity to get healthy. At the same time, for these two young guys to be around a veteran like this, is great. When he comes back, we've got that opportunity to have a lot of depth," Maldonado said.

Wagner spent two weeks on the disabled list earlier this season with a hamstring strain.

 Tags  Dan Barbarisi Dusty Brown Jason Varitek Mark Wagner Ron Johnson

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