By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com
Peter Diana/Post-Gazette
Ryan Doumit tries to settle down pitcher Zach Duke in Wednesday's game.
With July speeding toward us by the minute, trade speculation involving the Pirates is increasing. Would you give up Jason Bay? Xavier Nady? Damaso Marte? John Grabow?
I'd trade any or all of 'em for the right return, but I wouldn't part with Ryan Doumit.
He's my one untouchable, more so than Nate McLouth and Matt Capps.
The more I watch Doumit, the more I love him as a player.
Do you have any idea how valuable a switch-hitting catcher with power is?
I know the downside to Doumit. He has been injury-prone, almost to the point of being beyond belief. There are few worse things you can say about a proud athlete. Cal Ripken Jr., when asked about his famous iron-man streak, always said he was most proud of the fact his teammates could count on him every game. Doumit's teammates have not been able to count on him. In his parts of four seasons with the Pirates, he has been on the disabled list five times with injuries ranging from a bad left hamstring to a sprained left wrist to a right high ankle sprain to -- this season's problem -- a fractured left thumb. In his first eight full professional seasons, he played more than 100 games just twice.
Meet the anti-Ripken.
But some of Doumit's injuries can be attributed to immaturity. It's nice to think he's taking better care of himself now that he realizes the potential money that's out there for him. Neal Huntington, the Pirates' first-year general manager, challenged him in the offseason to come to spring training in better shape. He did just that and won the starting job from -- everyone applaud -- the bemoaned Ronny Paulino.
It's also easy to believe that Doumit's luck has to change. Late last season, he missed almost a month with his wrist injury, was activated for a game against the Chicago Cubs Sept. 8 and his ankle was sprained in that first game back and was done for the year. Really, how much does one guy have to suffer?
I don't know about Huntington, but I'm willing to bet on Doumit's maturity and luck.
I also want Doumit playing catcher, not first base or right field, where some have suggested he belongs. His value is greatest behind the plate as long as he keeps improving because big-time hitting catchers are so rare. Early in his career, merely receiving the ball was an adventure for him. That's no longer the case. He has worked hard to become a respectable catcher. No, he's not Johnny Bench, not even close. But he doesn't have to be.
Not with that bat.
After the New York Yankees jumped on Pirates starter Paul Maholm for three first-inning runs in the rained-out game last night, Doumit answered in the Pirates' half of the first with a run-scoring single off starter Mike Mussina. The hit won't count because the game was postponed at 10:25 with the Yankees holding that 3-1 lead in the third. Still, Doumit went 5 for 9 in the series and is 15 for 32 in his past nine games, the latter a streak which -- it must be pointed out -- was interrupted by the five games he missed with concussion-like symptoms after taking a series of foul balls off his face mask.
For his abbreviated season, Doumit is hitting .354, which would rank him third in the National League if he had the required at-bats. He has been remarkably consistent -- .355 against right-handers, .351 against left-handers and .417 with runners in scoring position.
But Doumit's power capability is what makes him especially intriguing. His 10 home runs in 147 at-bats would equate to 34 over a full 500 at-bats season.
Beyond that, respect has grown for Doumit in the Pirates' clubhouse -- because of his new, improved conditioning and because of his production. He has talked a good game at times; remember his well-publicized "We weren't going to be pushed around in our house" spiel after a minor dust-up earlier this month between teammate Doug Mientkiewicz and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson? But he also has walked the walk.
I don't trade a guy like that.
I build around him.
Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com More articles by this author
First published on June 27, 2008 at 12:00 am
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