Cincinnati Reds Report Cards: Ryan Hanigan

It is time for the final field position to be graded for the 2009 campaign.

Ryan Hanigan, who did catch most of the games this past season, is now on the grading block. In actuality he almost caught twice as many as the “big money” catcher Ramon Hernandez managed to play only 50 games behind the plate.

Hanigan hit very well for a catcher, hitting over .300 until August 7.  His play behind the plate was almost exceptional. He committed only one error, throwing out 43% of would-be base thieves, 16% higher than the league average.

His clutch hitting was horrendous, as he only batted .158 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

With the re-signing of Hernandez it is not a definite that he will be the starting catcher when spring training of 2010 is over. He had a better season both at the plate and behind it than did Hernandez, but when you are still flushing $3M down the toilet, you want to at least watch the water swirl some.

Hanigan, 28, is five years younger than Hernandez, so his career could be on the bright side.

I don’t know if Hanigan tires as the season wears on, but his batting average for the first half was .338 against only .165 over the last half.

Overall he did an adequate job and earns a B-.

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